Inflation means bigger bills for groceries, gas, and rent — here's the breakdown

Many families in the United States are finding it harder to get by as they see their bills for various goods and services shoot upward amid the worst inflation in more than four decades.

Inflation increased by 8.5% for the 12 months ending in March, according to data released Tuesday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics . While that headline increase is the most since 1981, some essential expenses have increased by an even greater margin and are weighing heavily on consumers.

Families in the middle and lower classes are getting hit particularly hard. Here is what households are paying for a few recurring necessities. 

GROCERY BILLS

The average price of food at home has ballooned 10% over the past year, according to the consumer price index, a brisker increase from the 6.1% growth in the cost of food at restaurants.