These cities have seen the biggest spikes in inflation

Many Americans are feeling the pressures of rising prices and stubbornly high inflation rates. 

By the numbers:

Consumer prices increased 2.9% in August from a year earlier, the Labor Department said Thursday, up from 2.7% the previous month and the biggest jump since January. 

Excluding the volatile food and energy categories, core prices rose 3.1%, the same as in July. Both figures are above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target.

What they're saying:

"Consumer inflation came in mildly hotter than forecast, but not nearly high enough to prevent the Fed from starting to cut rates next week," Kathy Bostjancic, chief economist for Nationwide, said. "The labor market is losing steam and reinforces that the Fed needs to start cutting rates next week and that it will be the start of a series of rate reductions."

Though the sting of inflation can be felt across most of America, rates can differ from city to city, according to a WalletHut analysis. 

Here’s a look at which cities saw the biggest spikes in inflation:

Why are prices going up?

Big picture view:

Goods prices picked up last month, a sign President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs are pushing up costs. 

Gas prices jumped 1.9% just from July to August, the biggest monthly increase since a 4% rise in December. Grocery prices climbed 0.6%, pushed higher by more expensive tomatoes, apples, and beef. Rental costs also increased, rising 0.4%, faster than the previous month.

Clothing costs rose 0.5% just last month, though they are still just slightly more expensive than a year ago. Furniture costs rose 0.3% and are 4.7% higher than a year earlier.

Dig deeper:

Shoppers have yet to feel the big sting that economists had predicted earlier in the year. 

Many retailers ordered goods ahead of tariffs and have also absorbed a big chunk of the costs rather than passing them along to consumers, who’ve grown increasingly leery of price increases.