U.S. Inflation Inequality between 2010 and 2023

RePEc Short ID: pch650
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-6820-1197

Chien, YiLi; Lin, Shih-Yang; Tsai, Yi-Chan

doi:10.20955/r.2026.02

Journal Article

U.S. Inflation Inequality between 2010 and 2023

Abstract: Following the literature that uses data from the Consumer Expenditure Survey and the consumer price index, this article examines U.S. households’ inflation experiences during the recent period from 2010 to 2023. We construct group-specific market baskets to reflect diverse spending patterns and identify key differences in inflation. Our main finding is that, although average inflation was higher and more volatile during this period, inflation inequality remained stable or even declined compared with the earlier period. Nevertheless, despite the overall similarity in households’ inflation experiences, the underlying drivers of inflation—by consumption category and specific subcategory—can differ significantly.

JEL Classification: C43; D12; E31;

https://doi.org/10.20955/r.2026.02