More expensive clothing has offset falling air fares and petrol prices to keep the cost of living well above the Bank of England's 2% target.
The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) remained unchanged at 3.1% in September, driven by furniture prices and food bills, said the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
The stubbornly high rate of inflation - which has stayed at 3.1% since July and was last lower at 3% in February - will apply further pressure on policymakers at the Bank as they decide whether to keep interest rates at 0.5%.
But pensioners are set for a boost after the figures showed Retail Prices Index (RPI) inflation - the measure currently used to calculate the state pension - at 4.6% last month.
This will come as a relief after last year's blow, when RPI fell into negative territory, which meant pension payments rose by only the minimum amount set - 2.5%.
The Government uses RPI each September to determine the following April's rise in the basic state pension, although it has pledged a minimum rise of 2.5% or the increase in average earnings, dependent on whichever is higher.
Given that RPI is likely to be the highest, this will mean the current payment will rise by around £4.49 a week, from £97.65 to around £102.14.
The joint pension will rise from £156.15 to around £163.33.
But from next year, basic state pension calculations will switch to CPI, which may mean lower increases.
This will already hit benefit payments, with the Government switching to CPI this year for its calculations of forthcoming changes to support such as jobseeker's allowance, tax credits and public service pensions.
