U.S. inflation · 1972–1985
$100 in 1972 has the same buying power as
$257
in 1985
| Cumulative price change | 157.4% |
|---|---|
| Average inflation rate | 7.54% per year |
| Converted amount ($100 base) | $257 |
| Price difference ($100 base) | $157 |
| CPI in 1972 | 41.8 |
| CPI in 1985 | 107.6 |
| Inflation in 1972 | 3.21% |
| Inflation in 1985 | 3.56% |
| $100 in 1972 → 1985 | $257 |
| $100 in 1985 → 1972 | $38.85 |
Between 1972 and 1985, the Consumer Price Index went from 41.8 to 107.6. Cumulatively, prices increased 157.4%, which works out to an average of 7.54% per year. Put differently, a dollar in 1972 bought what $0.39 buys in 1985.
| Amount in 1972 | Value in 1985 |
|---|---|
| $1.00 | $2.57 |
| $5.00 | $12.87 |
| $10.00 | $25.74 |
| $20.00 | $51.48 |
| $50.00 | $129 |
| $100 | $257 |
| $500 | $1,287 |
| $1,000 | $2,574 |
| $5,000 | $12,871 |
| $10,000 | $25,742 |
| $100,000 | $257,416 |
| $1,000,000 | $2,574,163 |
The headline number is an average. Individual categories moved very differently over this period. Here is what $100 of 1972 spending costs in 1985, by category:
| Category | Avg. yearly inflation | $100 in 1972 → |
|---|---|---|
| All items (CPI-U) | 7.54% | $257 |
| Energy | 10.67% | $374 |
| Medical care | 8.94% | $304 |
| Housing | 8.04% | $273 |
| Transportation | 7.84% | $267 |
| Food | 7.33% | $251 |
| Core (all items less food & energy) | 7.23% | $248 |
| Apparel | 4.10% | $169 |
Not shown because the BLS began these indexes after 1972: recreation (1993–), education & communication (1993–).
| Year | CPI | Inflation rate | $100 from 1972 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | 41.8 | 3.2% | $100 |
| 1973 | 44.4 | 6.2% | $106 |
| 1974 | 49.3 | 11.0% | $118 |
| 1975 | 53.8 | 9.1% | $129 |
| 1976 | 56.9 | 5.8% | $136 |
| 1977 | 60.6 | 6.5% | $145 |
| 1978 | 65.2 | 7.6% | $156 |
| 1979 | 72.6 | 11.3% | $174 |
| 1980 | 82.4 | 13.5% | $197 |
| 1981 | 90.9 | 10.3% | $217 |
| 1982 | 96.5 | 6.2% | $231 |
| 1983 | 99.6 | 3.2% | $238 |
| 1984 | 103.9 | 4.3% | $249 |
| 1985 | 107.6 | 3.6% | $257 |
MLA: “Inflation from 1972 to 1985: $100 is worth $257 today.” InflationCalculator.com, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI-U data, https://inflationcalculator.com/inflation/1972-to-1985/
APA: InflationCalculator.com. Inflation from 1972 to 1985. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI-U data. Retrieved from https://inflationcalculator.com/inflation/1972-to-1985/
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.