Chicagoans faced less price inflation than the nation as a whole last month.

The consumer price index in the Chicago region rose 0.3 percent in December as the cost of gas and food increased, the Labor Department said Friday. The national rate was 0.5 percent, the largest gain in 18 months.

In the Chicago region, food prices rose 1.5 percent while energy increased 2.9 percent.
The local CPI, excluding volatile food and energy costs, edged down 0.1 percent. The same measure, known as the core index, increased 0.1 percent nationally.

Some economists expect prices to rise faster this year than last.

The Chicago region spans 10 counties in Illinois, two counties in Indiana and one county in Wisconsin.

The CPI is based on prices of food, clothing, shelter, and fuels, transportation fares, charges for doctors’ and dentists’ services, drugs, and the other goods and services that people buy for day-to-day living.