US Inflation at Nearly Four-Decade High: Here’s What is Getting Most Expensive

Cartons of eggs are displayed on a shelf at the Marina Supermarket in San Francisco, Calif., on July 17, 2015. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

As the U.S. annual inflation rate climbed to 7 percent in December, the highest level since June 1982, new data show that almost every category was higher in the 12 months ending in December.

Food prices surged 6.3 percent, while energy was up 29.3 percent. New vehicles and used cars and trucks soared 11.8 percent and 37.3 percent, respectively. Apparel jumped 5.8 percent, shelter picked up 4.1 percent, and medical care services inched higher 2.5 percent.