(AURN News) — Inflation may be easing nationally, but for millions of working families, the pressure hasn’t let up. In some of America’s largest metro areas, the cost of everyday life is still surging — and a new WalletHub report shows exactly where the pain is worst. Seattle, Boston and Chicago top the list of cities where inflation is hitting hardest.
The report compares Consumer Price Index data across 23 major U.S. metro areas and highlights the regions where costs have jumped most sharply. Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, Washington, was ranked No. 1. Boston-Cambridge-Newton, Massachusetts–New Hampshire, and Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, Illinois–Indiana–Wisconsin, followed close behind. St. Louis and San Diego rounded out the top five.
Top 5 cities where inflation is hitting hardest:
- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, Washington
- Boston-Cambridge-Newton, Massachusetts–New Hampshire
- Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, Illinois–Indiana–Wisconsin
- St. Louis, Missouri–Illinois
- San Diego-Carlsbad, California
WalletHub also ranked the cities based on short-term CPI jumps. Seattle again took the top spot, followed by a tie between Boston and St. Louis. Denver and Detroit completed the top five.
Top 5 cities for short-term CPI jumps:
- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, Washington
- Boston-Cambridge-Newton, Massachusetts–New Hampshire (tie)
- St. Louis, Missouri–Illinois (tie)
- Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, Colorado
- Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, Michigan
Meanwhile, families in Anchorage, Alaska, Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, Texas, and Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, Arizona, are feeling the least impact from rising prices — for now.
Cities least impacted by inflation:
- Anchorage, Alaska
- Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, Texas
- Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, Arizona
According to WalletHub, the analysis focused on how inflation is currently affecting consumers, not just long-term trends. The group cited multiple pressure points, from labor market uncertainty to global conflicts to ongoing tariff battles under President Donald Trump’s second term.
With essentials like food, rent and transportation still spiking in many cities, the data reinforces what millions of Americans already feel — the economic recovery may be happening, but not everyone is living it.
Click play to listen to the AURN News report from Jamie Jackson:
