The arguably more important measure of core inflation, which excludes price changes in the often volatile food and energy categories, increased 3.3% year-over-year in January, higher than forecasts of 3.1%. And core prices rose 0.4% from December to January, compared to estimates of 0.3%.

Consumers are seeing no relief from high prices as shelter, transportation and food costs drove inflation in January.

The consumer price index, the top measure for inflation in the U.S., increased 3% in the 12-month period ending in January, which was up from 2.9% in December. The Bureau of Labor Statistics released the updated consumer price index on Wednesday.