> CPI is a highly constructed figure which conveniently includes/excludes things and is really more a floor

It’s an attempt at a central tendency in a complex economy with non-linear variability.

> Anyone living in the real world knows experienced inflation is way higher

Here is a map of wage changes across the U.S., 2024 to 2025 [1]. Lots of variance! If you’re on the West Coast, right now, you’re seeing above-CPI inflation. If you’re in the Northern Rockies, where I am, you’re seeing less.

[1] https://www.bls.gov/charts/county-employment-and-wages/perce...