U.S. CPI Rises for Six Consecutive Months, Hits Highest Level in Over a Year

May 2026 marks the sixth consecutive month that the U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) has climbed — a prolonged trend that is eroding the purchasing power of millions of Vietnamese American families, from daily living expenses to remittances sent back to Vietnam. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the national CPI-U index for May 2026 reached 335,123 — the highest level recorded since this dataset began being tracked.

This figure is not merely a single data point. Looking back at the chain of six consecutive months of increases — from December 2025 through May 2026 — the BLS recorded that the CPI index climbed from 324,054 to 335,123, representing a total increase of more than 11 points in just half a year. Compared to the average of the entire data series being monitored, the May 2026 level is 2.73% higher than the average of 326.2 during this period.

U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI)

Trend Shows No Signs of Stopping

Compared to the same period last year — May 2025 — the current CPI index is 4.47% higher, a concerning year-over-year increase. Between April 2026 and May 2026 alone, the index rose by 2.1 points, equivalent to 0.63% — demonstrating that the upward momentum continues steadily each month.

For the Vietnamese community in America — particularly families who regularly send money to relatives in Vietnam — this prolonged inflation pressure means that while the U.S. dollar remains strong compared to many other currencies, actual purchasing power within the United States is declining month by month. The money set aside for remittances may be squeezed as housing bills, food, and domestic services continue to rise.

Looking at the Complete Data Series

The lowest point in this period was 321,465 in May 2025; the highest is the newly recorded level: 335,123 in May 2026. Over the course of exactly one year, the CPI has risen from bottom to peak without a single significant adjustment substantial enough to reverse the trend.

A Reality Worth Monitoring

For those considering buying a car, signing a new lease, or planning family finances for the latter half of 2026, this chain of six consecutive monthly increases is a signal to exercise caution. The Federal Reserve, which closely monitors CPI data when making interest rate decisions, will be watching — and a prolonged upward trend like this could affect the cost of home mortgages, auto loans, and credit card interest rates that many Vietnamese families in America use daily.

Data source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) — bls.gov/cpi

Data source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) ↗ · Chart and analysis by Saigon Sentinel