The New Year Brings Mostly Increased Costs To Consumers
(CBS) -- It will cost you more to live, eat and take care of your health in 2016. But there's at least one silver lining.
CBS 2's Dorothy Tucker reports.
The happy in New Year can be found at the pump. While some Chicago gas stations are well over $2 per gallon, the average price in the state is $2.12. With the cost of crude oil its lowest in decades, the price of gas is expected to drop below $2 this year.
There's mixed news at the grocery store. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, you could pay 10 cents to 20 cents less a pound for beef and pork. But fresh fruits and vegetables will cost a few cents more. So will fresh fish.
Catfish and tilapia selling for $4 a pound will cost an extra 14 cents.
While insurance through the affordable care act is considered a good deal, government officials say if you keep your current plan, your premiums will rise about 15 percent this year.
Rising, too, are rents, an average of $50 a month.
Homeowners face a bit of a double whammy on property taxes: an increase in the tax itself and an extra tax to raise money for Chicago Public Schools.
Meanwhile, the sales tax in Cook County increases to 10.25 percent.
Many people will also pay an extra $9.50 per month in garbage fees.