Sticker Shock in America: From Rental Cars to Groceries, Prices Keep Climbing

July 14, 2025

Prices across the United States have increased by approximately 26% since the COVID-19 pandemic, making many everyday experiences unaffordable for American families. This inflation has affected everything from accommodations, with hotel rates rising 24% over the past decade, to transportation costs, with rental car prices up 29% since 2015, and food expenses, with restaurant prices soaring 49. 3% in ten years.

Who is affected

American consumers across all income brackets
Families unable to afford basic experiences and necessities
Travelers facing high hotel, rental car, and airfare costs
Restaurant patrons dealing with increased meal prices
Grocery shoppers confronting higher prices for essential items
Entertainment seekers facing steep ticket prices for concerts, theater, and theme parks

What action is being taken

Companies are raising prices across various sectors including hospitality, transportation, and food
Southwest Airlines is charging for checked bags, ending its "bags fly free" policy
The Waffle House restaurant chain temporarily imposed a 50-cent surcharge per egg
Some companies are exploiting the inflation situation to increase profit margins, according to Lindsay Owens of the Groundwork Collaborative

Why it matters

The persistent price increases have made basic experiences unaffordable for many Americans
The inflation impacts everyday necessities from groceries to housing
Many households must make difficult decisions about which necessities and experiences they can continue to afford
The price increases reflect a fundamental shift in affordability across multiple sectors of the economy
The inflation represents the most persistent cost increases in decades

What's next

New tariffs introduced by the Trump administration are expected to drive prices even higher in the months ahead

Read full article from source: The Washington Informer