Inflation Slows, But WA Residents Still Feel Pain At Grocery Store

SEATTLE — Lower gas prices in Washington, along with cheaper used cars, slowed inflation for a second straight month in August, but the new inflation report released Tuesday painted far from a rosy picture as many other items increased in price.

Consumer prices surged 8.3 percent last month compared with August 2021, down from the 8.5 percent year-over-year increase in July. Inflation is still painfully high as food and energy prices remain volatile, but it’s down from the four-decade high of 9.1 percent in June.

The price of a gallon of regular-grade gasoline was $3.71 Tuesday, compared with $3.80 a gallon a week ago, $3.97 a gallon a month ago and $3.18 a gallon a year ago, according to the AAA fuel price tracker.

In Washington, drivers are paying an average of $4.65 for a gallon of regular unleaded, down from $4.81 a month ago. King County is averaging $4.92 per gallon, with Pierce County averaging $4.62.

Used vehicle prices are declining nationally but still remain about 7.8 percent higher than at this time last year. Airfares are declining as well, down -8.8 percent from July, though they remain 33.4 percent higher than a year ago.

Slowing inflation in those sectors aside, many of Puget Sound residents continue to struggle with grocery bills, home energy costs and rent. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall consumer prices remained unchanged around the Seattle area over the past two months, but remain 9 percent higher than August 2021. Lower gas prices were offset by higher prices for shelter.

Nationally, grocery prices are about 11.4 percent higher in the 12-month period ending Aug. 30, and electricity and natural gas together are 19.8 percent higher. Monthly rent costs are about 6.7 percent higher than a year ago.

Around Seattle, Bellevue and Tacoma, food prices increased another 2.6 percent between June and August, while housing-related costs grew another 1.3 percent. Transportation prices slipped by 5.4 percent, and household energy dipped 1.2 percent.

Medical costs also increased 0.8 percent from July, for a year-over-year increase of 5.6 percent. Other increases in August were seen in the costs of home furnishings, household operations, new vehicles and insurance, and education.

Excluding the food and energy categories, so-called core prices jumped 0.6 percent from July to August, higher than many economists had expected and a sign of the persistence of inflation, which remains far higher than many Americans have ever experienced.

The Federal Reserve is expected to announce another big interest rate hike at its September meeting next week to tame inflation, Reuters reported. The contemplated 75-basis-point interest hike would be the third this year.

Inflation is a central issue in the Nov. 8 midterm elections. Economists generally agree with Republicans who blame President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion stimulus package for the inflation surge, but also point out snarled supply chains, the war in Ukraine and widespread shortages of semiconductors have also contributed.

Inflation is losing some of its steam as a midterm issue. It dropped to the No. 2 national issue, behind threats to democracy, in a poll by NBC News last month.

The supply chain disruptions of the pandemic appear to be easing, too. General Motors has said overseas production of semiconductors has resumed to about 80 percent of pre-pandemic levels, putting auto manufacturing back on track.

Executives at Kroger, the nation’s largest grocery chain, said flailing prices for farm commodities such as wheat and corn is expected to slow the double-digit increases Americans have seen in the prices of meat, milk, and fruits and vegetables.

The Associated Press contributed reporting.