Inflation Surges to a Nearly 40-Year High in November

Economics
Published

Inflation posted its largest jump in nearly 40 years in November, up 6.8% year over year. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed the CPI rose 0.8% in November compared with October. This marks the largest 12-month increase since June 1982.

Supply-chain constraints and strong consumer demand related to the pandemic and the reopening of the economy have contributed to recent price increases in some sectors. In some areas, costs have increased at an even more rapid clip. For example, the average price of major appliances is up almost 27% since January 2020.

NAHB is still forecasting inflation to ease somewhat next year, although the rate will remain well above the Federal Reserve's 2% target.

NAHB economist Jing Fu provides more analysis in this Eye on Housing blog post.

Subscribe to NAHBNow

Log in or create account to subscribe to notifications of new posts.

Log in to subscribe

Latest from NAHBNow

Advocacy

Oct 31, 2025

NAHB's Monthly Update Features Talking Points on Legislative Priorities

The update provides the latest messaging framework to help members articulate housing priorities and latest news related to the recent legislative proposals and the government shutdown.

Membership

Oct 31, 2025

HBA Staff Appreciation Week Kicks Off

From Nov. 3-7, NAHB will celebrate HBA Staff Appreciation Week, an annual event that recognizes the individuals who serve the more than 650 home builders associations that make up NAHB.

View all

Latest Economic News

Economics

Oct 30, 2025

Which Local Markets Track National Trends the Most: 2024 Single-Family MAI

The National Association of Home Builders developed the Single-Family Market Association Index (MAI) to measure how closely single-family building permits in metro areas follow national patterns. By comparing local and national trends, the MAI helps industry leaders and forecasters better understand and predict housing market activity.

Economics

Oct 29, 2025

The Fed Cuts amid Partly Cloudy Conditions

With the government shutdown limiting the quantity of economic data available to markets and policymakers, the central bank’s Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) enacted a widely anticipated 25 basis point cut for the short-term federal funds rate.

Economics

Oct 28, 2025

Home Price Growth Slows

Home prices in August grew at the lowest annual rate in over two years, according to the recent release of the S&P Cotality Case-Shiller Home Price Index (seasonally adjusted – SA).