— The cost of renting a home in Antigua and Barbuda rose significantly over the past year, adding to household expenses as the country’s overall inflation rate reached 7% in September.

The National Bureau of Statistics reported that the Consumer Price Index for actual housing rentals increased

8.9% in September 2026 compared with September 2025

.

Rent costs also recorded a notable increase in the latest month, rising

3.5% between August and September 2026

.

Housing expenses carry considerable weight in the calculation of inflation in Antigua and Barbuda. The category covering housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels accounts for

28.06% of the CPI weighting

, the largest of the 12 main expenditure categories.

Actual rentals for housing alone carry a weight of

19.81%

, meaning changes in rent can have a substantial effect on the overall Consumer Price Index.

The broader housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels category increased

12.6% over the 12 months ending in September

and rose

2.4% between August and September

.

The detailed figures show that housing-related increases were not confined to rent.

The Electricity Index was

42.9% higher than a year earlier

, while water supply increased 2%. Meanwhile, materials used for maintenance and repair of dwellings declined 3.3%, and services for maintenance and repairs fell 1.2%.

The increase in rent comes as consumers face higher costs in several other major areas.

Overall consumer prices increased

7% over the year to September

, with the Statistics Division identifying housing, transportation and communication as the main drivers. Transport increased 12%, while communication costs were up 23.1%.

The latest figures also show that housing costs have been accelerating. The housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels category recorded a

9.7% year-over-year increase in August before climbing to 12.6% in September

, according to the trend chart contained in the September CPI report.

The increase in housing expenses contrasts with falling food prices. Food and non-alcoholic beverages declined 1% compared with a year earlier, while the Food Index fell 1.5%.

The September CPI was released Oct. 2 by the National Bureau of Statistics.

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Rent Costs Rise 8.9% in Antigua and Barbuda.