CPI uptick tightens middle-class budgets as December costs rise

December’s CPI rose 0.3%, pushing the yearly inflation rate to 2.7% and underscoring ongoing pressure on middle‑income households. Food prices continued to climb—food at home up 2.4% and food at restaurants up 4.1% year over year, with a 0.7% monthly gain in both—while energy costs remained a drag: electricity up 6.7% and utilities 10.8% year over year (gasoline fell about 3.4% over 12 months). Primerica data show 69% of middle‑income Americans feel their income is falling behind the cost of living, up from 50% in 2020, highlighting persistent budget strain even as some goods prices cooled.”,