BEA: September spending rose 0.5%; PCE prices up 3.6% over year
BEA’s October 29 estimates show current-dollar consumer spending rose 0.5% in September, while the PCE price index was 3.6% above a year earlier.
What the record says
Current-dollar consumer spending increased 0.5% in September 2026, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis’ October 29 Personal Income and Outlays release. Personal income and disposable personal income each rose 0.2% over the month in current dollars.
The PCE price index rose 0.5% from August and 3.6% from September 2025. Excluding food and energy, the price index increased 0.3% over the month and 3.1% over the year, BEA reports.
After adjusting for prices, real consumer spending increased less than 0.1% over the month. The national personal saving rate was 3.8% of disposable personal income.
BEA updated July and August estimates using revised source data. The next Personal Income and Outlays release, covering October, is scheduled for November 25, 2026.
Source details and supporting locations.
Practical next step
Read BEA’s release and tables to distinguish current-dollar spending, inflation-adjusted spending and monthly versus yearly price changes.
Limits and what is not established
These are national statistical estimates, subject to revision. Current-dollar spending includes price changes; the 3.6% figure is a year-over-year price change, not a monthly or annualized quarterly rate.
Sources checked October 30, 2026. Later notices may change instructions or arrangements.
Original sources
U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis: original information