Inflation in the Bay Area is near a 20-year high running at a yearly rate of 6.8 percent. Inflation in June 2001 increased by 6.6 percent and in October 1984 by 7.1 percent.

The biggest culprit was utility bills – primarily PG&E – which increases of 18.9 percent for electricity and 16.3 percent for natural gas over a year-long period that ended in October.

Bay Area food prices increased by 10 percent on a yearly basis as well.