SPOKANE, Wash. — The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics released new data on inflation on Thursday showing the price of most goods have went up in the past year.
Gas prices have gone up 38 percent in the past 12 months, according to the data. Over the same time period, the cost of food people buy at grocery stores and take home has gone up 8.6 percent. As for housing costs, those have gone up 4.7 percent in the last year.
As prices rise in grocery stores and at the gas pump, shoppers in Spokane are feeling the pain.
"We have a big family, and it's hard on us now. I mean, with gas prices going up too, like they are now, it's even harder with that," said a Spokane shopper named Dwayne.
"It's very difficult because we're both on disability, and I also have an autistic son. So, you know, also that we have to take care of," said a shopper named Nancy.
The rise in prices has surged in the past few weeks. According to the new data, the increase in price for all items was at 7.9 percent on Feb. 22, a rise of 5.3 percent from last March. For some shoppers, it means making tough decision while shopping at the grocery store.
"Definitely, the last month for sure, but critically the last week, you know, critically the last week," said a shopper named Jan. "I mean, I come in here and I want to buy some fruit or something like that, and instead, I have to buy ... soap and you know, household essentials instead of the things I would like to have."
This all comes as the Biden Administration announced a ban on the import of Russian gas, oil and coal due to the ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
According to AAA, both the state of Washington and Spokane specifically set new record highs for the average price for a gallon of gas on Thursday.