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Over the past year, Midland, Texas, has had the longest bout of high inflation in the US. 

Over the past year, Midland, Texas, has had the longest bout of high inflation in the US. 

Photographer: Jordan Vonderhaar/Bloomberg
Business
The Big Take

Highest Inflation in America Is Punishing a Texas Town and Its Residents

Midland, Texas, is used to booms and busts. But even here, prices are shocking the local economy — and the Fed may not be able to help.

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Hang out long enough in the city with the highest inflation in the US, and you’ll quickly understand why the Federal Reserve faces a Herculean task taming prices.

Midland, Texas, is strung between El Paso and Dallas along Interstate 20, and more than four hours’ drive from either big city. Its far-flung location makes everything costlier and harder to get, including workers and vehicles, which you need to go anywhere in the spread-out region with limited public transportation. Add to that the local economy’s reliance on oil, and you get the unenviable No. 1 spot for inflation over the past year.