11 Cities Hardest Hit By Inflation: Did Yours Make the List?

Inflation continues to overstay its welcome. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose to 3.7% in September. Energy is the main driver of that inflation.

Gas prices have surged more than 40% since the Iranian War began, according to NBC News. While Americans everywhere are feeling the pinch, some cities are being hit harder by rising costs. To identify which areas are seeing the biggest price increases, I analyzed Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data for 23 major metropolitan areas over the past 12 months.

For this analysis, I compared the latest CPI in each metro area now versus 12 months ago, looking for areas where inflation had risen more sharply than the overall Consumer Price Index.

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11 cities inflation changes impacted the most

According to the latest BLS data on inflation across 23 major metropolitan areas, inflation's impact is far from even. Some cities are seeing inflation cool, while others have seen it stagnate.

Then there are cities where it's both higher than the national average and rising at a faster pace than the national average.

Here are the 11 cities hardest hit by inflation's impact:

With inflation topping 5% in Hawaii and close to 5% in San Diego, these are definitely the hardest-hit consumers in the United States right now.

In Hawaii especially, the pace of inflation has been soaring in the last year. While it had been gradually cooling, dipping as low as 2.30% in July 2025, its current rate of 5.20% far surpasses the US average of 3.7%.

San Diego's 4.7% inflation rate is the highest its residents have experienced since November 2023. Whether you live in these areas or want to protect your cash from rising prices, there are a few things you can do.

How to shield against inflation

The CPI report shows inflation is on a continual upswing for some everyday expenses. With this in mind, it means now is the perfect time to plan for rising costs.

One of the best ways to stay ahead of inflation is to store your emergency fund in an account that outpaces inflation. That's where the best high-yield savings accounts come into play.

These accounts feature variable interest rates. While it means the annual percentage yields (APYs) on these might dip sometimes, you can still earn rates above 4%, allowing you a risk-free way to maximize gains.

Find the best account for your money quickly, using the tool below, powered by Bankrate:

A high-yield savings account is only one solution. If you want your earnings to outpace inflation and your emergency fund is in a good spot, the best option continues to be investing, 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.

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