Inflation rose 0.2 percent in the Midwest between October and November, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Friday, due in part to an increase in natural gas prices.
Factoring out energy costs, the bureau said inflation would have risen 0.1 percent. Motor fuel costs fell 3.8 percent during the month, but utility natural gas spiked 10.7 percent.
The cost of housing rose 0.3 percent and health care increased 0.5 percent. Apparel costs declined 0.7 percent. The cost of alcoholic beverages fell 0.2 percent from October to November.
Nationwide, the bureau reported inflation rose 0.1 percent between October and November.