U.S. inflation · 1952–1996
$100 in 1952 has the same buying power as
$592
in 1996
| Cumulative price change | 492.1% |
|---|---|
| Average inflation rate | 4.12% per year |
| Converted amount ($100 base) | $592 |
| Price difference ($100 base) | $492 |
| CPI in 1952 | 26.5 |
| CPI in 1996 | 156.9 |
| Inflation in 1952 | 1.92% |
| Inflation in 1996 | 2.95% |
| $100 in 1952 → 1996 | $592 |
| $100 in 1996 → 1952 | $16.89 |
Between 1952 and 1996, the Consumer Price Index went from 26.5 to 156.9. Cumulatively, prices increased 492.1%, which works out to an average of 4.12% per year. Put differently, a dollar in 1952 bought what $0.17 buys in 1996.
| Amount in 1952 | Value in 1996 |
|---|---|
| $1.00 | $5.92 |
| $5.00 | $29.60 |
| $10.00 | $59.21 |
| $20.00 | $118 |
| $50.00 | $296 |
| $100 | $592 |
| $500 | $2,960 |
| $1,000 | $5,921 |
| $5,000 | $29,604 |
| $10,000 | $59,208 |
| $100,000 | $592,075 |
| $1,000,000 | $5,920,755 |
The headline number is an average. Individual categories moved very differently over this period. Here is what $100 of 1952 spending costs in 1996, by category:
| Category | Avg. yearly inflation | $100 in 1952 → |
|---|---|---|
| All items (CPI-U) | 4.12% | $592 |
| Medical care | 6.12% | $1,366 |
| Transportation | 3.98% | $556 |
| Food | 3.88% | $534 |
| Apparel | 2.55% | $303 |
Not shown because the BLS began these indexes after 1952: core (all items less food & energy) (1957–), energy (1957–), housing (1967–), recreation (1993–), education & communication (1993–).
| Year | CPI | Inflation rate | $100 from 1952 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1952 | 26.5 | 1.9% | $100 |
| 1954 | 26.9 | 0.7% | $102 |
| 1956 | 27.2 | 1.5% | $103 |
| 1958 | 28.9 | 2.8% | $109 |
| 1960 | 29.6 | 1.7% | $112 |
| 1962 | 30.2 | 1.0% | $114 |
| 1964 | 31 | 1.3% | $117 |
| 1966 | 32.4 | 2.9% | $122 |
| 1968 | 34.8 | 4.2% | $131 |
| 1970 | 38.8 | 5.7% | $146 |
| 1972 | 41.8 | 3.2% | $158 |
| 1974 | 49.3 | 11.0% | $186 |
| 1976 | 56.9 | 5.8% | $215 |
| 1978 | 65.2 | 7.6% | $246 |
| 1980 | 82.4 | 13.5% | $311 |
| 1982 | 96.5 | 6.2% | $364 |
| 1984 | 103.9 | 4.3% | $392 |
| 1986 | 109.6 | 1.9% | $414 |
| 1988 | 118.3 | 4.1% | $446 |
| 1990 | 130.7 | 5.4% | $493 |
| 1992 | 140.3 | 3.0% | $529 |
| 1994 | 148.2 | 2.6% | $559 |
| 1996 | 156.9 | 3.0% | $592 |
Long periods are sampled every 2 years; the calculator above covers any pair of years.
MLA: “Inflation from 1952 to 1996: $100 is worth $592 today.” InflationCalculator.com, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI-U data, https://inflationcalculator.com/inflation/1952-to-1996/
APA: InflationCalculator.com. Inflation from 1952 to 1996. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI-U data. Retrieved from https://inflationcalculator.com/inflation/1952-to-1996/
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, CPI-U annual averages (series CUUR0000SA0; category indexes listed on the data sources page). See how these numbers are calculated.