I'll agree that it feels worse than 4%, but I think some of that you mention depends greatly on location. For example, my utility bills have decreased due to the use of CF bulbs everywhere and I use electricity for heating; the rising gas and oil prices did not affect me in that way in my location.
My housing is perhaps 50% more expensive than it was that long ago. Some people in my neighborhood will claim that is nuts, but that is because everyone around here seems to insist on a brand new house, and no one realizes that the 30 year old ones are a great bargain. And housing costs are going down right now .
Food prices are more expensive when I go to the local super jazzy grocery store that does everything but wipe my butt for me, but when I go to Costco or the local stand prices are actually cheaper than they used to be, since those choices were not available to me back then.
Yes, gasoline prices have gone nuts. But nearly everything else is cheaper it seems. Cars are less expensive if you adjust for inflation, electronics are just cheaper period. Computers, televisions, and yes, power woodworking tools are better and cheaper.
Now, if you drive a lot, and just had to buy that brand new house in the last 5 years, and have little disposable income, so most of it goes to food, which you only buy at the most convenient grocery store, yes it's going to seem a lot worse than the Fed claims. And yes, I realize this scenario describes many Americans.