Nearly all goods and services have seen massive price spikes in the last five years. Here are the areas hit hardest

The costs of nearly all goods and services – from gas and groceries to childcare and car insurance – have spiked dramatically in the last five years as Americans continue to grapple with high prices.

Overall, consumer prices have risen more than 30 percent in the past seven years — two and a half times the increase seen in the years before the pandemic between 2012 and 2019, according to analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics data by The New York Times.

While food and gas prices often fluctuate, it is more unusual that prices are rising across the board, including on rent, car insurance and dining out, the outlet reports.

The cost of childcare was one of the most stark examples, rising 62 percent since 2012. Had prices risen in line with the trend between 2012 and 2019, the increase since 2012 would have been 46 percent, according to the Times analysis.

Another huge expense that Americans are struggling with is the increase in rent. It has rocketed in price by 75 percent since 2012, up from 26 percent in 2019, the analysis found. Had prices continued on the pre-pandemic trajectory, the increase would have been 64 percent today.

The cost of car insurance has risen a staggering 115 percent since 2012, while vehicle repair has increased 81 percent. Had vehicle repair costs increased in line with the trend in 2012-2019, the price would have only increased by 30 percent in 2026.

When it comes to groceries, the price of beef and veal has risen dramatically since 2012, increasing by 96 percent. Had prices risen in line with the 2012-2019 trend, beef and veal would have only risen by 37 percent.

As the Trump administration seeks to counter voter concerns about high prices and rising interest rates with the midterm elections approaching, economists are pointing to the impact of the Iran war on inflation — the rate at which prices go up.

“America still has an inflation problem,” economist Heather Long said Friday in a post on X. “The problem for the Federal Reserve — and American households — is the inflation problem is starting to be more widespread than just an energy shock.”

Inflation has improved somewhat after falling from a peak of 9 percent in 2022 to 3.4 percent in August, according to the Consumer Price Index. But it has not returned to 2 percent, considered the normal rate.

It fell to 2.3 percent in April 2025, but shot up again after President Donald Trump ushered in his trade tariffs, which led to an increase in the cost of imported goods. As the economy was beginning to recover from the tariffs, Trump launched the war in Iran, prompting a huge rise in energy prices.

Democrats have seized on inflation figures under Trump in the run-up to the midterms.

“FACT: Inflation is HIGHER today than when President Biden left office,” California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office said.

“Inflation just got worse, AGAIN,” said Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen. “The good news? We know what’s causing it: Trump’s illegal war in Iran has spiked prices everywhere.”

“Inflation is UP because of Trump’s war with Iran,” House Democrats posted on X. “And families are feeling it at the grocery store, the gas pump and on their electric bills.”

The White House touted Trump’s efforts to lower costs in certain sectors in response to inflation figures.

“Putting an end to Joe Biden’s inflation crisis has been a Day One priority for President Trump, and the August CPI report reinforces how the Trump administration’s targeted policy interventions are delivering with dramatic month-over-month price reductions for beef, prescription drugs, and car insurance,” White House spokesman Kush Desai said in a statement.