Inflation south of the border rose in 2016 at the fastest pace in five years, as rising rents and medical care and higher gas prices put a squeeze on consumers.
Figures released Wednesday by the U.S. government showed the consumer price index jumped 0.3% in December.
A string of sharp gains since late summer helped drive up inflation by 2.1% for the full year, marking the biggest increase since a 3% gain in 2011. Americans are pay more for fuel, housing and doctor visits, offsetting the biggest decline in grocery prices in years.
Excluding the volatile food and energy categories, consumer prices rose 0.2% in December. The cost of medical care also picked up. CPI shows costs in that area rose 4.3% in 2016, the CPI showed.
