Inflation Surges to a Nearly 40-Year High in November
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.
Latest from NAHBNow
Economics | Advocacy | Membership
May 01, 2026
Podcast: What War and Fed Changes Mean for Housing Market and EconomyOn the latest episode of NAHB’s podcast, Housing Developments, CEO Jim Tobin and COO Paul Lopez are joined by Chief Economist Dr. Robert Dietz to discuss the latest economic news and what it means for housing.
Codes and Standards
May 01, 2026
Rescinded Energy Code Mandate Major Win for NAHB and Housing AffordabilityHUD and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced this week that they are rescinding a requirement that imposed the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and ASHRAE 90.1-2019 as the minimum energy-efficiency standards for certain single-family and multifamily housing programs.
Latest Economic News
Economics
Apr 30, 2026
U.S. Economy Rebounded in the First Quarter of 2026Real GDP growth accelerated in the first quarter of 2026, rebounding from a weak finish at the end of 2025, as government spending recovered following a disruptive shutdown.
Economics
Apr 29, 2026
Powell’s Chair Ends but He Keeps His Board SeatThe April meeting of the Fed’s monetary policy committee featured a lot of institutional news for a month in which the Fed kept monetary policy unchanged. The outlook for the economy and monetary policy remains unclear due to geopolitical turbulence and domestic policy uncertainty.
Economics
Apr 29, 2026
Home Building Shows Signs of Stabilization with Monthly Gain in StartsHousing construction activity strengthened in March, with a notable rebound in both single-family and multifamily starts, signaling improved builder activity despite ongoing headwinds from financing costs and affordability constraints. While the monthly gain points to renewed momentum, year-to-date trends remain mixed, particularly in the single-family sector, and permit activity suggests some caution moving forward.