After months of inflation stubbornly holding its ground, February’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) report brought some relief.¹ Overall, prices rose 2.8% year-over-year, a slight cooling from January’s 3% gain. While some household essentials continue their upward climb, others — including gas, airfares, bicycles, and even TVs — are giving consumers a bit of a breather.

Read more: Taking Stock: February inflation report brings relief ahead of Fed meeting

Eggs: the unstoppable breakfast gold

Egg prices soared another 10.4% from January to February, marking a staggering 58.8% increase year-over-year, according to the CPI report. A bird flu outbreak has hit poultry farms hard, sending supply plummeting and prices skyrocketing.² Eggs are averaging $5.90 a dozen, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.³ 

Read more: Job market stays resilient despite slowdown in February

Beefing up grocery bills

The newest CPI report shows that meat prices are also on the rise. Ground beef is up 7.8% over the past year, while beef roasts jumped 9.5% YoY. However, inflation in the broader grocery category remains more stable, with food prices rising 2.6% YoY.

Some costs are coming down

Not all prices are climbing. Gasoline fell 3.1% YoY and edged down 1% from January to February, offering some relief at the pump. Fuel oil is also 5.1% cheaper than it was a year ago, according to the CPI report.

Airfares dropped 4% in February compared to January, signaling a break from last year’s soaring ticket prices.⁴ Meanwhile, transportation services, up 6% YoY, actually dipped 0.8% last month, possibly reflecting lower fuel costs.

In the grocery category, not everything is going up. Bananas are down 1.3% YoY, while snacks are also down 1.3%. Tomatoes are down 9.7%, and fresh vegetables overall are down 2.5%.

Big-ticket items are on clearance

For those in the market for home goods or electronics, February’s CPI report suggests now might be a good time to buy. TV prices are down 8.8% YoY and another 1.9% month-over-month, while bedroom furniture (-5% YoY), appliances (-3.1% YoY), and even dishes and flatware (-9.2% YoY) are seeing significant price drops.

Prices for sports vehicles, including bicycles, are down 7.5% YoY, making outdoor recreation a little more budget friendly. Computer equipment, peripherals, and smart home assistants dropped 6% YoY, while smartphones saw the steepest decline, falling 13.7% in February, compared to a year earlier. However, for those attending sporting events in person, admission prices are up 12% YoY, and 7% just from January to February.

One surprising outlier? Laundry equipment prices are up 6.6% YoY, which may indicate that inflation has a mind of its own.

What this means for household budgets

While inflation is still putting pressure on essentials like food, lower prices in categories such as travel, electronics, and home goods provide some financial breathing room. Gas prices are trending downward, airfare is more affordable than in previous months, and big-ticket items like TVs and furniture are seeing notable price drops.