U.S. inflation · 1972–1986
$100 in 1972 has the same buying power as
$262
in 1986
| Cumulative price change | 162.2% |
|---|---|
| Average inflation rate | 7.13% per year |
| Converted amount ($100 base) | $262 |
| Price difference ($100 base) | $162 |
| CPI in 1972 | 41.8 |
| CPI in 1986 | 109.6 |
| Inflation in 1972 | 3.21% |
| Inflation in 1986 | 1.86% |
| $100 in 1972 → 1986 | $262 |
| $100 in 1986 → 1972 | $38.14 |
Between 1972 and 1986, the Consumer Price Index went from 41.8 to 109.6. Cumulatively, prices increased 162.2%, which works out to an average of 7.13% per year. Put differently, a dollar in 1972 bought what $0.38 buys in 1986.
| Amount in 1972 | Value in 1986 |
|---|---|
| $1.00 | $2.62 |
| $5.00 | $13.11 |
| $10.00 | $26.22 |
| $20.00 | $52.44 |
| $50.00 | $131 |
| $100 | $262 |
| $500 | $1,311 |
| $1,000 | $2,622 |
| $5,000 | $13,110 |
| $10,000 | $26,220 |
| $100,000 | $262,201 |
| $1,000,000 | $2,622,010 |
The headline number is an average. Individual categories moved very differently over this period. Here is what $100 of 1972 spending costs in 1986, by category:
| Category | Avg. yearly inflation | $100 in 1972 → |
|---|---|---|
| All items (CPI-U) | 7.13% | $262 |
| Medical care | 8.83% | $327 |
| Energy | 8.77% | $324 |
| Housing | 7.67% | $281 |
| Food | 7.03% | $259 |
| Core (all items less food & energy) | 7.00% | $258 |
| Transportation | 6.96% | $256 |
| Apparel | 3.86% | $170 |
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 |
| 1986 | 109.6 | 1.9% | $262 |
MLA: “Inflation from 1972 to 1986: $100 is worth $262 today.” InflationCalculator.com, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI-U data, https://inflationcalculator.com/inflation/1972-to-1986/
APA: InflationCalculator.com. Inflation from 1972 to 1986. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI-U data. Retrieved from https://inflationcalculator.com/inflation/1972-to-1986/
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.