Inflation in Midwest continues to impact Kansans
KANSAS (KSNT) - Kansans paid more for housing, apparel, transportation, recreation, commodities, services, energy and more in the month of January, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
The Bureau of Labor Statistics keeps track of the price of goods and services in the market. On Tuesday, the BLS released its consumer price index (CPI) for Feb. 2024. The CPI measures the change in prices paid by consumers for good and services.
Since Feb. 2023, the average price of all items increased 2.8% with a 0.6% change since January 2024. The energy sector saw the largest price increases in January with unleaded gasoline rising 8.3%. The energy sector as a whole saw prices increase by 4%, according to the BLS.
Following energy, apparel saw the next highest price change at 3.1% from Jan. 2024. The cost of apparel has increased a total of 6.3% since December 2023.
On the other end, medical care saw the largest price decreases with medical care and medical care services decreasing 0.8% and 0.9% respectively.
Largest price increases
| Category | Price change |
| Gasoline, unleaded regular | 8.3% |
| Gasoline (all types) | 8% |
| Motor fuel | 7.8% |
| Gasoline, unleaded midgrade | 6.8% |
| Gasoline, unleaded premium | 5.9% |
Largest price decreases
| Category | Price Change |
| Fruits and vegetables | -0.2% |
| Household furnishings and operations | -0.3% |
| Other food at home | -0.4% |
| Medical care | -0.8% |
| Medical care services | -0.9% |
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