Price increases on basic goods and needs are basically caused by inflation but you need to considere other factors why it had even increased in the first place. First look for the current inflation rate your country has if the rate ranges around 2 to 5% then it is considered healthy and its not one of the main factors why the prices went up secondly you can look at other factors such as tax increase most specifically excise taxes related to that product if an excise tax is issued on the most basic of the goods like gas then a lot of industries including housing can be affected.