Rise in Consumer Prices Driven by Higher Gasoline Prices

(Newsroom America_ -- The cost of living rose in February, driven mostly by higher gasoline prices as consumers continue to struggle amid stagnant wage growth in a tepid economy.

The Consumer Price Index crept up 0.4 percent, after an increase of 0.2 percent the previous month, the Labor Department reported.

The so-called core measure, which excludes food and gasoline prices, climbed 0.1 percent.

Still, higher fuel prices accounted for about 80 percent of the increase last month and, with gas prices continuing to spike, they will likely lead to further cost-of-living increases for March.

Government figures showed that energy costs in all increased about 3.2 percent last month. Gasoline prices spiked 6 percent, or the single largest monthly jump since December 2010.

President Obama has been roundly criticized for spiraling gas prices, reflected in recent surveys showing the president's popularity falling as price at the pump increase.

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