Remote Surveillance Trailer in Hayward, CA

Area prices were up 1.3 percent over the past two months, up 2.5 percent from a year ago

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward advanced 1.3 percent for the two months ending in February 2026, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported today. Regional Commissioner Chris Rosenlund noted that the index for all items less food and energy increased 1.1 percent. The food index increased 1.5 percent, and the energy index increased 5.0 percent. (Data in this report are not seasonally adjusted. Accordingly, bi-monthly changes may reflect seasonal influences.)

The San Francisco area all items CPI-U increased 2.5 percent for the 12 months ending in February. The index for all items less food and energy rose 2.2 percent over the year. Food prices rose 4.8 percent. Energy prices increased 1.3 percent.

Food prices advanced 1.5 percent for the two months ending in February. Prices for food at home (grocery store purchases) increased 1.9 percent, with higher prices in all 6 major grocery store food groups. Prices for food away from home (restaurant, cafeteria, and vending purchases) rose 1.1 percent for the same period.

Food prices rose 4.8 percent over the year. Prices for food at home advanced 5.8 percent, and prices for food away from home rose 3.8 percent.

The energy index rose 5.0 percent for the two months ending in February. Gasoline prices rose 7.1 percent.

Energy prices increased 1.3 percent over the year. Gasoline prices decreased 4.3 percent.

All items less food and energy

The index for all items less food and energy rose 1.1 percent during the two-month period. Among the index’s components, prices were higher for apparel (+12.0 percent) and shelter (+1.1 percent). In contrast, prices were lower for used cars and trucks (-4.3 percent) and education and communication (-0.3 percent).

The index for all items less food and energy rose 2.2 percent over the year. Components contributing to the increase included household furnishings and operations (+3.5 percent) and shelter (+2.3 percent). In contrast, prices were lower for used cars and trucks (-3.9 percent).

The April 2026 Consumer Price Index for the San Francisco area is scheduled to be released on May 12, 2026.

Technical Note

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is a measure of the average change in prices over time in a fixed market basket of goods and services. The Consumer Price Index for San Francisco is published bi-monthly. The set of components and sub-aggregates published for regional and metropolitan indexes is more limited than at the U.S. city average level; these indexes are byproducts of the national CPI program. Each local index has a much smaller sample size than the national or regional indexes and is, therefore, subject to substantially more sampling and other measurement error. As a result, local-area indexes are more volatile than the national or regional indexes. In addition, local indexes are not adjusted for seasonal influences. NOTE: Area indexes do not measure differences in the level of prices between cities; they only measure the average change in prices for each area since the base period.

A full all-items data series history for the original index value and for 1-month, 2-month, 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month percent changes can be accessed via BLS data query tools. A direct link to the all-items series is provided in Table 1 of this release under historical data.

The San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA. metropolitan area covered in this release is comprised of Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo Counties in the State of California.

Refer to the national CPI news release technical note or the Handbook of Methods for more information.

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On March 11, 2026, the City of Hayward will mark 150 years since its incorporation, honoring a history shaped by community, diversity and progress.

The town was incorporated on March 11, 1876, under the name “Haywards,” after a landmark hotel that served as a hub for early travelers. The “s” was dropped several years later.

With its mild climate, fertile soil and central location in the Bay Area, Hayward experienced decades of growth. Following World War II, housing developments replaced farms and ranches. Between 1950 and 1960, the population grew fivefold, from 14,000 to 72,000, and has continued to increase.

Today, Hayward is home to one of the most diverse populations in California and is the sixth-largest city in the Bay Area. A regional center for commerce, manufacturing and trade, Hayward is known as the “Heart of the Bay.” Its location continues to attract companies in advanced industries and makes it one of the Bay Area’s most desirable business locations.

As the city looks to the future, Hayward continues to plan for growth while balancing the needs of its diverse residents, a growing business community and the preservation of open space.

To commemorate the milestone, the City of Hayward, in partnership with local agencies and organizations, will host the Hayward 150 Birthday Celebration at City Hall Plaza.

Time: 4:30 to 7 p.m.

Location: City Hall Plaza, 777 B Street

The event will take place exactly 150 years after Hayward was incorporated as a municipality by the State of California and will serve as the official kickoff of sesquicentennial activities supported by the city throughout calendar year 2026.

Participating agencies and organizations include the Hayward Area Recreation and Parks District, Hayward Unified School District and the Hayward Area Historical Society.

What to Expect

The celebration will include:

Get Involved

For more information, to submit questions, offer suggestions or request to participate, contact Hayward Community Partnerships Manager Zach Ebadi at Zach.Ebadi@hayward-ca.gov. The community is invited to join the City of Hayward in celebrating 150 years of history while looking ahead to the future.

We are celebrating the 150th anniversary of Hayward's founding with this FREE family event! Visit our history gallery to learn about how historical artifacts can tell the history of our city.

Date: Saturday, Mar. 21, 2026

Time: 11:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Location: Hayward Area Historical Society, 22380 Foothill Blvd, 2nd Floor

This is a drop in event, with a story time at 11 a.m. For those with shorter attention spans, the museum also offers a free play arts table, or a book and toy nook. Suitable for all ages, no reservations required. The Hayward Area Historical Society is located on the 2nd floor at 22380 Foothill Blvd. Please enter through parking lot side and take the elevator.