US Core CPI Index
US Core CPI Index stood at 338.9 in Sep 2026, according to Cleveland FED; Atlanta FED; San Francisco FED; BLS. It is one of the indicators in the Alternative inflation measures table (Value · Monthly), with a complete series running from Jan 1967 to Sep 2026. The complete series with an interactive chart, free to download.
This indicator in the Alternative inflation measures table
| Indicator | 09-2026 | 08-2026 | 07-2026 | 06-2026 | 05-2026 | 04-2026 | 03-2026 | 02-2026 | 01-2026 | 12-2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Index | |||||||||||
| Core CPI index | 338.9 | 337.8 | 336.8 | 336.1 | 336.1 | 335.4 | 334.2 | 333.5 | 332.8 | 331.8 | |
| Headline CPI index | 336.3 | 334.1 | 332.8 | 332.6 | 334 | 332.4 | 330.3 | 327.5 | 326.6 | 326 |
Understanding US Core CPI Index
United States Core CPI Index represents the cumulative price level of a restricted consumer basket that excludes volatile food and energy categories, measured against a designated historical benchmark period. This index level provides the raw mathematical foundation used to compute sequential and annual core inflation rates by tracking structural price movements across services and non-energy goods.
Analysts utilize the trajectory of this index level to monitor long-term purchasing power erosion driven by underlying domestic demand rather than fleeting commodity shocks. While the raw index points are essential for calculating percentage growth, the twelve-month percentage change remains the primary benchmark for evaluating sustained inflationary trends.