Inflation? What inflation? Not here

Everyone's worried about inflation, but price increases in Florida's major metro areas have remained exceptionally tame.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes inflation data for the Tampa Bay area twice a year and the Miami area bimonthly. So far, data shows inflation is not a problem, especially when volatile food and energy prices are excluded.

For example, inflation has been running at a modest 1.7% annually in the Tampa Bay area and 2.5% if you include energy and food.

In Miami, inflation is virtually nonexistent at just 0.5% annually. If you exclude food and energy, inflation is up just 0.4%.

Low inflation in Florida and elsewhere is a big reason the Federal Reserve has continued its policy of monetary easing. Most economists continue to believe that inflation won't be a problem in 2011, but could strengthen in future years as the economy rebounds.