Americans' Spending Rose 0.5% in September as Prices Climbed 3.6% From a Year Earlier, BEA Says

WASHINGTON, DC, Oct. 30, 2026 — "Personal income increased $54.5 billion (0.2 percent at a monthly rate) in September," and "personal consumption expenditures (PCE) increased $113.1 billion (0.5 percent)," the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis said Thursday.

The PCE price index rose 0.5% from August and 3.6% from a year earlier, BEA says. Excluding food and energy, prices rose 0.3% on the month and 3.1% on the year.

After adjusting for prices, disposable personal income fell 0.3% in September and real spending was essentially flat ("less than 0.1 percent"), according to the release. "The personal saving rate—personal saving as a percentage of DPI—was 3.8 percent."

BEA's next report, for October, is due Nov. 25.

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Personal Income and Outlays, September 2026 (BEA 26-46), Oct. 29, 2026.

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