The cost of living in South Florida is rising faster than in any other major metropolitan area in the country.

The Consumer Price Index for the Miami-Fort Lauderdale area increased by a hefty 4.4 percent annual compared to 2.7% for the rest of the country.

South Floridians were enduring eye-popping increases for staples such as food, rent, gasoline and even school supplies. The high rental and transportation costs are the biggest reasons prices are rising at a faster clip here than in other regions of the nation.