Eating out and filling up the gas tank is more expensive in Miami: This is how prices have risen in two months

Consumer prices in the Miami metropolitan area rose 0.6% between August and October 2026, with notable increases in gasoline and dining costs, according to the bimonthly consumer price index report published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

The data corresponds to the metropolitan area of Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach, which includes the counties of Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach. Between August and October, prices rose by 0.6% in this region, below the 0.8% increase recorded across the United States during the same period.

One of the most notable increases was that of gasoline, which rose by 4.9% during the measured period. The overall energy index recorded an increase of 2.7%. In October, the average price in Florida exceeded four dollars per gallon, although by Tuesday it had already declined to $3.82 in Miami.

Food outside the home has also become more expensive. Restaurants, cafes, and vending machines recorded an increase of 1.6% in two months, three times the rise of the general food index (0.5%) and in stark contrast to supermarket products, which remained unchanged (0.0%).

73% of the small businesses surveyed in the United States reported difficulties due to rising costs of goods, services, or wages, according to a survey by the Federal Reserve published in 2026. Higher gasoline prices also increase delivery and transportation costs, a burden that directly impacts those operating their own fleet.

The rental of primary housing showed no change (0.0%) during the period, consistent with the moderation observed in the rental market in Miami-Dade, where the median advertised rent decreased by 2.29% year-over-year in September.

The overall housing index rose by 0.9%, driven by the owner's equivalent rent, which increased by 1.1%.

Other categories that exerted upward pressure included medical care (+1.8%) and cereals and bakery products (+3.4%). Conversely, furniture and household items decreased by 4.1%, and used cars fell by 1.7%.

The core inflation—which excludes food and energy—was 0.5% in Miami between August and October 2026.

The BLS clarified that it is not possible to publish the year-over-year change for October 2026 because there is no data from October 2025: that year, a federal government shutdown prevented the collection of information.

The salaries in the metropolitan area increased by 3.4% year-on-year in September, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The next consumer price index for the Miami area will be released on January 13, 2027; the national CPI for November will be published on December 10.