# US inflation jumps to 3.7% before midterm elections

> Price rises accelerate faster than forecast, driven by surging energy costs tied to Middle East conflict.
- Title: US inflation jumps to 3.7% before midterm elections · BBC News
- Summary: Price rises accelerate faster than forecast, driven by surging energy costs tied to Middle East conflict. US inflation rose to three point seven percent in…
- Keywords: us inflation, consumer price index, midterm elections, gasoline prices, federal reserve, donald trump, tariffs, cost of living, news, world, inflation, jumps
- Source: BBC News — https://bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwy8lx3pg4k2o
- Published: 2026-10-14T12:47:07.755+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: us inflation, consumer price index, midterm elections, gasoline prices, federal reserve, donald trump, tariffs, cost of living, news, world
## Inflation accelerates before elections
US inflation rose to three point seven percent in the year to September, up from three point four percent in August, exceeding official forecasts.
## Energy crisis drives price surge
Gasoline prices jumped nine point one percent in September alone, accounting for more than half the inflation increase. Car fuel prices rose thirty four point two percent over twelve months.
## Middle East conflict behind spike
Higher gasoline prices followed disruption to Middle East energy supplies due to the US-Israel conflict with Iran. Crude oil rose from just over seventy dollars a barrel to over one hundred dollars.
## How inflation is measured
The Bureau of Labor Statistics measures inflation through the consumer price index, which tracks price changes of hundreds of day-to-day items including fresh food, gasoline and medical services.
## Tariffs add to price pressures
President Donald Trump introduced a ten percent global tariff. Research from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York found every percentage point increase in average tariffs led to nearly zero point twenty five percent price…
## Businesses absorb tariff costs
The New York Fed found exporters reduced prices very little in response to new tariffs, meaning US-based businesses ended up absorbing nearly ninety percent of the cost of the added tax.
## Food prices remain stable
Food inflation remains subdued at two point five percent across the year and was flat over September. Core inflation, which strips out food and energy prices, was two point six percent.
## Fed watching for broader impact
Experts said the US Federal Reserve will closely watch to see if energy costs begin to affect other areas of the economy, such as food prices, and drive inflation higher overall.
## Elections fought over cost of living
The midterm elections next month are being fought over cost of living pressures across the US, making this inflation data release politically significant.
## Key takeaway

US inflation rose to three point seven percent in September, exceeding expectations and complicating the political landscape ahead of midterm elections next month.