CPI Release Schedule (BLS Inflation Updates)

Below is the government’s (BLS) release schedule for the Consumer Price Index (CPI). We extract the new rates as soon as they come out to ensure that our calculator provides accurate inflation results. Please keep in mind that the new CPI is released for the United States and all states only on these specific dates.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI release schedule for 2025 and 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the Consumer Price Index (CPI)?

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is a monthly measure of the average change over time in the prices paid by urban consumers for a basket of goods and services. It is published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and is one of the most widely used indicators of inflation.

2. When is the CPI released each month?

The CPI is typically released in the second week of each month, reflecting price changes from the previous month. For example, CPI data for July is usually published in August. All release times are at 8:30 AM Eastern Time.

3. Where does this CPI data come from?

All CPI data comes directly from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), a division of the Department of Labor. The data is collected through surveys and is considered the official measure of inflation in the United States, and other countries like Canada have similar systems.

4. What is the CPI used for?

The CPI is used to:

• Track inflation and cost-of-living changes

• Adjust Social Security and retirement benefits

• Set income eligibility levels for government programs

• Index tax brackets, wages, and rental contracts

• Inform monetary policy decisions by the Federal Reserve

5. Is CPI data available for each U.S. state?

Yes. The BLS provides CPI data for the United States overall, as well as regional and selected metropolitan areas. However, not every state has its own separate CPI index. State-level data is typically available for larger metro areas or regions (e.g., Northeast, South).

6. How accurate is the CPI calculator on your site?

We update our CPI calculator as soon as new data is released by the BLS, usually the same day. This ensures that our inflation estimates and comparisons are as accurate and up-to-date as possible.

7. Can I be notified when new CPI data is released?

Yes. You can subscribe to the official BLS online calendar here or add their iCal feed to your digital calendar. We also recommend bookmarking this page or signing up for our updates (if available) to stay informed.

8. Does the CPI include housing costs?

Yes, but indirectly. The CPI includes “shelter” as a major component, which reflects rental costs and something called Owners’ Equivalent Rent (OER), an estimate of what homeowners would pay to rent their own home.

9. What’s the difference between CPI-U and Core CPI?

• CPI-U (Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers) is the broadest and most widely cited CPI metric.

• Core CPI excludes food and energy prices, which tend to be volatile, to give a better sense of underlying inflation trends.

10. Where can I find historical CPI data?

You can view historical CPI data directly on the BLS CPI page. Our calculator and charts also pull from this dataset to let you analyze inflation over time.

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