These 7 Most Expensive Things in 2026
For the fifth year in a row, the US economy entered January with inflation above the Federal Reserve’s target rate of 2%.
Consumer goods and services such as coffee, beef and auto repair have experienced sharp inflation this year, and experts have identified several key categories that are likely to see further price increases in 2026. The Supreme Court is also mulling its decision on a legal challenge to the president’s spending — an X-factor that complicates annual price forecasts.
But tariffs are only one reason why prices are rising. As the new year begins, here are the seven most expensive things and why:
Home insurance
Home insurance prices continued to rise in 2025, with premiums increasing by 8.5% for new policies, according to a report from Matic, an insurance company. That’s not as steep as the 2024 increase (18%), but it’s still a significant boost to homeownership costs.
Insurers continue to cite weather risk in certain states as they seek higher premiums. Homeowners respond by trading higher deductibles for lower premiums, a move that saves money but exposes the customer to greater risk (because out-of-pocket costs will be higher if they need to file a claim). According to Matic’s report, the average deduction will increase by 22% by 2025.
A separate look at the home insurance market from home analysis firm Cotality predicts an 8% increase in average premiums next year.
Streaming services
At this point, you can safely assume that a subscription bundle will cost more every year. Here is a partial list of broadcasters whose prices will increase in 2025: Apple TV+, Disney+, Peacock, HBO Max and Netflix.
In January, Paramount+ will raise prices for ad-free and ad-supported programming. The cost of the basic Paramount+ Essential option will increase from $7.99 per month to $8.99 per month, while Paramount+ Premium – which includes showtime and an ad-free experience – increases from $12.99 per month to $13.99 per month.
Judging by recent trends, Paramount likely won’t be the only streaming service to establish expansion in 2026; we don’t know the specific timelines of others yet.
Phones and computers
In September, Apple announced a $1,099 price tag for the iPhone 17 Pro, which is a $100 increase over last year’s model. (The latest version now ships with 256 GB of base storage, which is double the original amount on the iPhone 16 Pro.)
According to forecasts, the prices of smartphones may jump in the industry by 2026. The prices of smartphones and computers will continue to be affected by memory shortages as the AI tech race continues, experts say.
“Continuing memory shortages around the world are expected to slow supply and drive up prices, which will have a major impact on mid-range Android devices as they remain price sensitive,” International Data Corporation said in a report in early December.
Computer prices may rise in the new year for similar reasons. Dell, for example, is raising PC prices for retail customers, with many reports pointing to higher memory costs as the reason.
Jewelry
The cost of jewelry increased by 8.3% from November 2024, according to the latest report of the consumer price index (CPI).
Jewelers say the industry is responding to rising metal prices. Gold reached a high of $4381.58 in October, while silver reached $66.88 in December. As such, pieces containing those precious metals are set to continue to become more expensive.
In fact, experts say it’s now difficult to find entry-level silver jewelry for less than $100, according to JCK Magazine. Jewelers are reportedly using less gold in an effort to manage costs, with some makers stressing their clever use of negative space in pieces.
Eating in restaurants
Inflation at the grocery store often grabs the headlines when it comes to food prices, but the cost of eating out at restaurants is actually rising faster.
The CPI for food away from home rose 3.7% last year, outpacing the general rate of inflation. (In November, CPI inflation was 2.7%, according to the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics report.)
The latest forecast from the IFMA project of the Food Away from Home Association is that the cost of food in restaurants will increase by another 3% by 2026.
Animal services
The cost of veterinary services increased by 5.4% last year, according to the CPI. Veterinarians say the high cost of medicine, supplies and labor is the reason for the increase.
Nearly half of pet owners say unexpected pet bills are now a financial problem, up from nearly one-third by 2022, according to a report from Synchrony. For dog owners, the cost of veterinary services is their No. 1 cost concern for pet ownership.
Health insurance
Americans will face higher health insurance costs by 2026. For workers who receive health insurance through their employer, costs are predicted to rise between 6.7% and 9% by 2026, according to estimates.
High prescription drug prices and the cost of cancer treatment are among the factors driving up premiums.
Costs are also rising for government-sponsored health care programs. After Congress failed to extend enhanced funding before its winter recess, some Americans with the Affordable Care Act could see an average premium increase of 114% by 2026, according to KFF.
Medicare Part B premiums are also predicted to increase by about 12% by 2026, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
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