U.S. inflation · 1970–1996
$100 in 1970 has the same buying power as
$404
in 1996
| Cumulative price change | 304.4% |
|---|---|
| Average inflation rate | 5.52% per year |
| Converted amount ($100 base) | $404 |
| Price difference ($100 base) | $304 |
| CPI in 1970 | 38.8 |
| CPI in 1996 | 156.9 |
| Inflation in 1970 | 5.72% |
| Inflation in 1996 | 2.95% |
| $100 in 1970 → 1996 | $404 |
| $100 in 1996 → 1970 | $24.73 |
Between 1970 and 1996, the Consumer Price Index went from 38.8 to 156.9. Cumulatively, prices increased 304.4%, which works out to an average of 5.52% per year. Put differently, a dollar in 1970 bought what $0.25 buys in 1996.
| Amount in 1970 | Value in 1996 |
|---|---|
| $1.00 | $4.04 |
| $5.00 | $20.22 |
| $10.00 | $40.44 |
| $20.00 | $80.88 |
| $50.00 | $202 |
| $100 | $404 |
| $500 | $2,022 |
| $1,000 | $4,044 |
| $5,000 | $20,219 |
| $10,000 | $40,438 |
| $100,000 | $404,381 |
| $1,000,000 | $4,043,814 |
The headline number is an average. Individual categories moved very differently over this period. Here is what $100 of 1970 spending costs in 1996, by category:
| Category | Avg. yearly inflation | $100 in 1970 → |
|---|---|---|
| All items (CPI-U) | 5.52% | $404 |
| Medical care | 7.60% | $671 |
| Energy | 5.79% | $432 |
| Housing | 5.67% | $420 |
| Core (all items less food & energy) | 5.54% | $406 |
| Food | 5.39% | $391 |
| Transportation | 5.28% | $381 |
| Apparel | 3.12% | $222 |
Not shown because the BLS began these indexes after 1970: recreation (1993–), education & communication (1993–).
| Year | CPI | Inflation rate | $100 from 1970 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 38.8 | 5.7% | $100 |
| 1971 | 40.5 | 4.4% | $104 |
| 1972 | 41.8 | 3.2% | $108 |
| 1973 | 44.4 | 6.2% | $114 |
| 1974 | 49.3 | 11.0% | $127 |
| 1975 | 53.8 | 9.1% | $139 |
| 1976 | 56.9 | 5.8% | $147 |
| 1977 | 60.6 | 6.5% | $156 |
| 1978 | 65.2 | 7.6% | $168 |
| 1979 | 72.6 | 11.3% | $187 |
| 1980 | 82.4 | 13.5% | $212 |
| 1981 | 90.9 | 10.3% | $234 |
| 1982 | 96.5 | 6.2% | $249 |
| 1983 | 99.6 | 3.2% | $257 |
| 1984 | 103.9 | 4.3% | $268 |
| 1985 | 107.6 | 3.6% | $277 |
| 1986 | 109.6 | 1.9% | $282 |
| 1987 | 113.6 | 3.6% | $293 |
| 1988 | 118.3 | 4.1% | $305 |
| 1989 | 124 | 4.8% | $320 |
| 1990 | 130.7 | 5.4% | $337 |
| 1991 | 136.2 | 4.2% | $351 |
| 1992 | 140.3 | 3.0% | $362 |
| 1993 | 144.5 | 3.0% | $372 |
| 1994 | 148.2 | 2.6% | $382 |
| 1995 | 152.4 | 2.8% | $393 |
| 1996 | 156.9 | 3.0% | $404 |
MLA: “Inflation from 1970 to 1996: $100 is worth $404 today.” InflationCalculator.com, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI-U data, https://inflationcalculator.com/inflation/1970-to-1996/
APA: InflationCalculator.com. Inflation from 1970 to 1996. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI-U data. Retrieved from https://inflationcalculator.com/inflation/1970-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.