Economists had forecast a 0.3 percent rise compared with the previous month. In May, the consumer price index (CPI) climbed just 0.1 percent.
Compared with a year earlier, the consumer price index rose 2.7 percent, slightly above the consensus forecast for 2.6 percent.
Core prices, which exclude volatile food and energy categories, rose 0.2 percent. Economists had forecast a rise of 0.3 percent. In May, core CPI rose 0.1 percent. Compared with a year ago, core CPI rose 2.9 percent, matching expectations.
Core goods prices rose 0.2 percent, the largest increase since a 0.2 percent rise in February. In May, core goods prices were flat. In April, core goods prices rose 0.2 percent. In March, they fell 0.1 percent. Compared with a year ago, core goods prices are up a slight 0.7 percent.
