Prices paid by consumers across the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington area were 3% higher in September than a year earlier, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics figures released Wednesday, Oct. 14. Energy and grocery costs did most of the lifting.
The local reading edged up from 2.9% in July. The metro index is published every other month, so July is the most recent comparison point. Across the United States, the all-items index rose 3.7% over the same 12 months, so North Texas inflation remains below the national rate.
The BLS metro area spans 13 counties: Dallas, Tarrant, Collin, Denton, Rockwall, Kaufman, Ellis, Johnson, Hood, Somervell, Parker, Wise and Hunt.
Gasoline leads the increase
Energy prices in the metro area climbed 17.4% from September 2025, compared with 20.4% nationwide. Gasoline was the biggest single driver: the local index for all types of gas was up about 33%, close to the roughly 34% national jump.
Edward "Jack" Leps, a BLS economist, told the Fort Worth Report that fuel costs ripple into other prices because gas is used to move goods and keep them refrigerated. He said the effect has been felt in Dallas and nationally.
Groceries rose faster here than nationally
Food prices overall rose 3.3% in the metro area, above the 2.5% national figure. The gap was widest for groceries. Food bought at stores cost 3.9% more locally, more than double the 1.8% national increase. Fresh fruits and vegetables were up 14.5% in North Texas, compared with 3.7% across the country.
