U.S. consumer prices increased 0.5% in September, while inflation-adjusted spending was essentially flat, the Bureau of Economic Analysis reported October 29.
The personal consumption expenditures price index was 3.6% higher than a year earlier. Excluding food and energy, prices increased 0.3% during September and 3.1% over the year.
Spending measured in current dollars rose $113.1 billion, or 0.5%. After accounting for prices, the increase was $2.6 billion—less than 0.1%, rounded to 0.0% in BEA’s table.
Services accounted for $78.1 billion of the current-dollar spending gain and goods for $35.1 billion. The components are rounded.
Personal income increased $54.5 billion, or 0.2%, primarily reflecting compensation and government social benefits. Disposable income, after personal current taxes, rose $52.7 billion, also 0.2%.
Inflation-adjusted disposable income fell 0.3%. The personal saving rate stood at 3.8% of disposable income, with saving totaling $911.1 billion.
The estimates incorporate revisions to earlier months. BEA schedules its October income and spending report for November 25.
Sources: BEA — Personal Income and Outlays, September 2026: https://www.bea.gov/news/2026/personal-income-and-outlays-september-2026