The inflation rate has jumped across most of Southern California and the nation, a surge linked to the Iranian conflict ballooning pump prices that drivers pay.
My trusty spreadsheet reviewed the March Consumer Price Index report for three local metropolitan areas released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics on Friday, April 10. The stats show that recent hopes for a long period of cooler inflation were dashed – at least temporarily – by the war’s impact on crude oil costs, the key ingredient in gasoline.
In Los Angeles and Orange counties, the CPI shows overall costs are up 3.4% over the past year – the fastest pace since November. That’s up from 2.9% in February, the slowest inflation pace since September 2024.
Yes, everyone knows that gasoline prices are up – an 18.8% jump over the past year, by CPI math. But that’s not the only drag on local family budgets.
Grocery prices are up 2.9% over the past year. Housing is up 2.7%, and medical care is 3% pricier.
These price jumps will only add to other economic uncertainties. And consumers have likely not forgotten 2022, when the L.A.-O.C. cost of living skyrocketed by 7.5%.
Please note that the inflation rate also influences the Federal Reserve, whose job is monitoring the cost of living.
Any extended bout of elevated inflation may shift the central bank from its current focus on cutting interest rates to boost a struggling business climate. The Fed could switch gears and look to chill consumer prices through higher rates.
Inland oddity
In the Inland Empire, the cost of living moderated.
The 3.1% inflation rate for the region comprising Riverside and San Bernardino counties was the lowest since May 2025. It was a slight improvement over 3.2% in February.
Still, the region’s gasoline prices are up 20% in a year. Groceries? Up 0.4%. Housing? Up 3.1%. Medical care? 5.9% pricier.
Remember, the two counties averaged 8.9% inflation in 2022.
Rates up in San Diego
San Diego County’s inflation ran at 3.2% in March, the highest since November 2025, up from 2.6% in February, the lowest rate since November 2024.
Gasoline prices in San Diego are up 17.5% over the past year. Groceries? Up 1.5% Housing? Up 3.3%. Medical care? 5.9% pricier.
Don’t forget that inflation was 7.8% for 2022.
Nationally speaking
Local inflation’s surge aligns with what the typical American feels.
U.S. consumer prices rose 3.3% in March from a year earlier, up from just 2.4% in February. It’s the nation’s fastest inflation pace since May 2024.
Nationally, gas is up 18.9% over the past year. Groceries? Up 1.9% Housing? Up 3.4%. Medical care? 3.1% pricier.
But back in 2022, inflation averaged 8%.
Jonathan Lansner is the business columnist for the Southern California News Group. He can be reached at jlansner@scng.com