10 Cities Hardest Hit By Inflation: Did Yours Make the List?
Was your city hit harder by inflation? Here are the 10 cities where residents saw prices rise the highest.

Inflation continues to overstay its welcome. However, it slowed down some.
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) report rose to 2.9%, the highest increase since January. Many experts see this trend continuing for the next six months to a year.
Using recent CPI reports, WalletHub conducted a study to discover which cities were hardest hit by inflation.
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Be a smarter, better informed investor.

Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
To determine this study, WalletHub examined 23 metro areas, calculating how the CPI changes from two months and one year ago impacted the prices consumers in these areas are paying.
The 10 cities inflation changes impacted the most
Here are the 10 cities where inflation has hit residents the most:
Overall Rank | MSA | Total Score | Consumer Price Index Change (Latest month vs 2 months before) | Consumer Price Index Change (Latest month vs 1 year ago) |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | 89.39 | 1.10% | 3.30% |
2 | San Diego-Carlsbad, CA | 89.29 | 0.80% | 4.00% |
3 | Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 67.97 | 0.50% | 3.30% |
4 | Anchorage, AK | 65.04 | 0.80% | 2.40% |
5 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 64.39 | 0.40% | 3.30% |
6 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI | 61.36 | 0.40% | 3.10% |
7 | Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 60.28 | 0.20% | 3.50% |
8 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | 59.31 | 0.30% | 3.20% |
9 | Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ | 53.46 | 0.90% | 1.40% |
10 | Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | 53.25 | 0.30% | 2.80% |
Factors influencing inflation
The CPI report sheds some light on where things are heading, and for the short term, it indicates prices are increasing in line with what economists expected. That said, these numbers don't factor in the impacts of tariffs. Many people are still feeling the pinch of higher prices.
Inflation's culprits are the usual suspects: Rising costs in energy and food continue to snowball consumers' budgets. Add in the ongoing trade wars and tariffs, and the result is higher prices on everyday items.
"While the CPI release showed some early signs of tariff impact, on the whole, underlying inflation remained muted," Kay Haigh, global co-head of Fixed Income and Liquidity Solutions in Goldman Sachs Asset Management, told Kiplinger.
Shielding against inflationary measures
The CPI report shows inflation is on a continual upswing. With this in mind, it means now is the perfect time to plan for rising costs.
One thing to watch is whether the Fed cuts interest rates soon. CME FedWatch projects there's a 93% chance that rate cuts will come at the September meeting.
While high-yield savings accounts have dipped somewhat, you can still earn a rate above 4% if you get this done soon. Here are some of the top choices:
A high-yield savings account is only one solution. If you want your earnings to outpace inflation, the best option continues to be investments as, historically, they earn a much higher rate of return.
One of our top online brokers is Fidelity. They offer free advice to newer investors with a portfolio of less than $25,000. If you have a portfolio exceeding this amount, you'll have access to a live agent for a fee of 0.35% of your assets.
With prices rising slightly faster than anticipated, having the right budgeting app can ensure you're maximizing your savings and investment goals, while curtailing spending that isn't helping you reach them.
It's easy to use and can anticipate future cash flows, showing you where your money is going and identifying patterns you might need to alter to stay in line with savings goals.
The bottom line on inflation's impact
The CPI report shows inflation is staying in line with expectations, at least for now. The WalletHub report shows where inflation changes have the most impact.
Whether you live in one of these areas or not, having a plan in place now can help you find solutions that outpace inflation.
Related content
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.

Sean is a veteran personal finance writer, with over 10 years of experience. He's written finance guides on insurance, savings, travel and more for CNET, Bankrate and GOBankingRates.
-
Claiming the Standard Deduction? Here Are Five Tax Breaks for Retirement in 2025
Tax Tips If you’re retired and filing taxes, these five tax credits and deductions could provide thousands in relief (if you qualify).
-
QUIZ: Test Your Retirement IQ
Quiz Are you smarter than…everyone else? Test your retirement smarts with this quiz.
-
The Shutdown Standoff Is Heading for Its Next Big Test
A key mid-October deadline could intensify the shutdown fight in Washington, and the fallout could soon hit workers and your wallet.
-
I Want to Retire, but I Have to Keep Working so My Adult Kids Have Insurance
It's a tricky period when your adult child is under 26 but needs health insurance. We ask financial experts for advice.
-
Don't Let Your Equity Compensation Trip You Up: A Financial Expert's Guide
Stock options, RSUs and other executive perks can come with some serious strings attached. To avoid a nasty tax surprise, you need a plan.
-
I Work From Home, and These Are the Best Home Office Upgrades From October Prime Day and Anti-Prime Day Sales
Spruce up your office for less with these sales. You could also qualify for tax credits with some upgrades.
-
Should You Replace Your Financial Adviser with AI?
Financial Help Many people already ask AI for financial advice. But is it good enough to replace a human financial adviser?
-
Savvy Savings Moves to Make Now – Or You Could Lose Thousands
Despite a rate cut and inflation, these moves can still help you reach your savings goals quickly.
-
Escaping the New Golden Handcuffs: A Financial Expert Has a Plan for Today's Executives
Feeling stuck in your job? It could be your complicated compensation package, but it also could be where you live, your family or even how you view yourself.
-
A Comfortable Retirement is About More Than Money
When it comes to a happy retirement, money can’t buy these things.