South sees higher prices but steady job growth, new labor report shows

ATLANTA, Ga. (WRBL) — A new report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics highlights how the South — including Georgia — is managing inflation, job growth, and unemployment as the region continues to recover from economic pressures.

According to the latest data, prices in the South rose nearly 3% over the past year and 0.3% in August alone. That means consumers are paying more for everyday essentials — including meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and restaurant meals — as well as for items like coffee, tea, and soft drinks.

There’s a bit of good news for shoppers, though. Apparel and retail prices dropped slightly across the region, a change experts say could be tied to seasonal factors.

“Apparel prices, surprisingly, have gone down,” said Timothy Ewing, Regional Economist with the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

“It could be a seasonal factor, but apparel stands out. Medical care here in Atlanta was also down.”

The report also found that electricity and gas prices decreased slightly, while housing costs increased by half a percentage point.

When it comes to the job market, Georgia added more than 32,000 jobs over the past year, with healthcare and social assistance leading the way.

Ewing says more than 25,000 of those new positions came from the healthcare sector alone.

“Georgia is doing pretty well overall,” Ewing added.

“We’re seeing steady year-over-year growth, with healthcare and manufacturing continuing to drive employment.”

Despite national concerns over hiring slowdowns, job openings in Georgia have increased by about 20,000 compared to last year, though fewer people are being hired or quitting their jobs — suggesting more stability in the workforce.

The Department of Labor reports Georgia’s unemployment rate remains strong at 3.4%, nearly one full percentage point below the national average.