Seattle Inflation Hits 4.5%, Second Highest in U.S. as Energy and Shelter Costs Surge
Updated
Updated · seattlered.com · Jul 16
Seattle Inflation Hits 4.5%, Second Highest in U.S. as Energy and Shelter Costs Surge
3 articles · Updated · seattlered.com · Jul 16
Summary
Seattle-area consumer prices rose 4.5% in the year through June, the second-highest increase among major U.S. metros and the highest in the West.
Energy and shelter drove the gain, with BLS citing a 20.7% jump in energy prices and a roughly 24.7% rise in gasoline.
Other household costs also climbed sharply: apparel increased 14.7%, fruits and vegetables 11.7%, and recreation 9.8% from a year earlier.
The report said Seattle outpaced the 3.5% national inflation rate and the West's 3.2% average, while Philadelphia-Wilmington-Camden posted the only larger metro increase at 5.4%.
The article tied the gap to Washington state policy, pointing to carbon costs, higher gas taxes, new taxes and housing-related regulations as factors keeping local prices elevated.