Cost of living

Why household inflation can feel different from the headline number

A national inflation measure describes a broad basket. Individual households can experience price changes differently.

Spending weights differ

Households devote different shares of income to rent, food, transport, childcare, travel and other categories.

Prices do not move together

Some categories may rise quickly while others are flat or falling.

Timing matters

Renewals, seasonal purchases and major one-time expenses can make a household's experience uneven.

Headline measures remain useful

They provide a consistent economy-wide reference, even though they are not a custom household budget.