Everybody knows prices are rising. During the COVID-19 pandemic, inflation began to soar, and that ache in our collective wallet continued throughout 2025.
While rising costs have washed over nearly all areas of the economy, there were a few things that saw especially crazy price hikes.
All of the following items rose in price by more than 10% during 2025 — well above the annual inflation rate, which sat at 2.7% as of November.
WNBA franchises
Values have soared for virtually all professional sports franchises in recent years, and the WNBA is no exception.
In fact, the women’s professional basketball league is red hot, with the 13 franchises seeing values spike by an average of 180%. That is a record for any sports league, male or female.
Today, the average WNBA franchise is worth $269 million. In 2024, that number stood at $96 million.
Climbing Mount Everest
For a few especially hardy souls, climbing Mount Everest on the Nepal/China border is a bucket-list lifetime goal. But the adventure became a lot more expensive in 2025.
In January, the government of Nepal announced it was increasing the permit fee for the climb by 36%.
That means what once cost $11,000 will now set you back $15,000. A government official said the increase was overdue, since fees had not been reviewed for a long time.
You can still save money by climbing Mount Everest during the less popular months of September through November, when the fee will be $7,500. The lowest-cost climbs occur in December through February, when the permit cost is just $3,750.
Coffee (instant and roasted)
That morning jolt of joe became a lot more expensive in 2025:
- Instant coffee prices rose 24.2%. It was the biggest price increase for any grocery item.
- Roasted coffee prices also jumped by 18.4%.
A shortage of coffee beans has caused raw bean prices to double. Experts say it will be well into 2026 before prices begin to stabilize.
Beef (4 types)
A steep rise in the price of many types of meat has been among the most frustrating aspects of the recent wave of inflation. In 2025, four subcategories of beef saw steep price hikes:
- Uncooked beef roasts: 21.2%
- Uncooked ground beef: 14.9%
- Uncooked beef steaks: 14.7%
- Other types of uncooked beef and veal: 15.5%
As 2025 began, the U.S. had the lowest recorded number of cattle since 1951. The low numbers were a result of the cattle cycle, which naturally expands and contracts over a period of roughly eight to 12 years.
When the cattle supply dips, beef prices rise.
In addition, farmers have seen their expenses jump more than 50% in five years. Those rising costs also are likely being passed on to consumers.
Stocks
The rising price of stocks is actually a good thing for anyone who already owns shares of equities. But it’s less happy news for those who want to buy shares and now have to pay more for them.
As the year winds to a close, the S&P 500 index is up around 18% on the year. This year’s gains follow two years in which the index rose over 20% each year.
The performance of the stock market has been particularly strong over the last three years. Such strong gains make optimists happy about how much richer they have become, but also cause pessimists to worry that a crash could be in the offing.
Household fuel oil
The cost of heating oil jumped 11.3% in 2025, an unwelcome reality in a year when the beginning of winter was exceptionally cold in many parts of the United States.
The rise in household fuel costs likely surprised many homeowners, as fuel oil was among the items that saw the biggest price decreases in 2024.
In-home care
Aging folks often rely on in-home care, so the 10.8% hike in the cost of these services is unwelcome. That is especially true for seniors who cannot depend on large nest eggs to finance their care.
If you are a senior and money is tight, check out “9 Things Retirees Should Stop Buying, According to Financial Experts.”
Audio equipment
The cost of listening to music hit a sour note in 2025, with the cost of audio equipment rising 10.2%.
If you can’t bear the thought of living without your favorite tunes, perhaps you can continue to indulge in buying audio equipment if you free up money elsewhere in your entertainment budget.
For example, you might want to take another look at your cable TV subscription. Many Americans overspend on cable, so check out free streaming services to watch instead.
Candy and gum
Satisfying your sweet tooth came with a bitter aftertaste in 2025, as the price of candy and gum jumped 10.1%.
As you say hello to 2026, consider new ways to keep your costs down throughout the new year. You can start by reading “9 Extreme Ways to Lower Your Cost of Living (If You Dare).”
Add a Comment