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
Sponsored Content
Feb 11, 2026
5 Reasons Home Builders Are the Unsung Heroes of the American DreamBehind the homes people cherish are builders quietly carrying more responsibility — and having more impact — than most Americans realize. Here’s why their work matters far beyond the jobsite.
Advocacy
Feb 11, 2026
NAHB Cites Policy Priorities to Bipartisan Working GroupNAHB Chief Lobbyist Lake Coulson on Feb. 10 addressed members of the Congressional Bipartisan Policy Working Group and urged the nearly dozen Democratic and Republican members of Congress to assist home builders in three key areas – comprehensive housing legislation, building codes and workforce development.
Latest Economic News
Economics
Feb 11, 2026
Job Growth Starts Year on Strong Note: However, 2025 Revisions Offer CautionThe U.S. labor market began 2026 at a surprisingly strong pace, while newly released benchmark revisions show that job growth in 2025 was considerably weaker than previously reported.
Economics
Feb 10, 2026
Credit Card Balances Rise in Q4 2025Overall consumer credit continued to expand in the fourth quarter of 2025, with growth in both nonrevolving and revolving credit. Nonrevolving credit, primarily student and auto loans, accounts for 74% of total outstanding consumer credit, while revolving credit, largely credit card balances, makes up the remaining 26%.
Economics
Feb 10, 2026
Weaker Demand, Unchanged Lending Conditions for Residential Mortgages in Fourth QuarterLending standards for most types of residential mortgages were essentially unchanged but overall demand was weaker in the fourth quarter of 2025, according to the recent release of the Senior Loan Officer Opinion Survey (SLOOS).