U.S. inflation · 1972–1989
$100 in 1972 has the same buying power as
$297
in 1989
| Cumulative price change | 196.7% |
|---|---|
| Average inflation rate | 6.61% per year |
| Converted amount ($100 base) | $297 |
| Price difference ($100 base) | $197 |
| CPI in 1972 | 41.8 |
| CPI in 1989 | 124 |
| Inflation in 1972 | 3.21% |
| Inflation in 1989 | 4.82% |
| $100 in 1972 → 1989 | $297 |
| $100 in 1989 → 1972 | $33.71 |
Between 1972 and 1989, the Consumer Price Index went from 41.8 to 124. Cumulatively, prices increased 196.7%, which works out to an average of 6.61% per year. Put differently, a dollar in 1972 bought what $0.34 buys in 1989.
| Amount in 1972 | Value in 1989 |
|---|---|
| $1.00 | $2.97 |
| $5.00 | $14.83 |
| $10.00 | $29.67 |
| $20.00 | $59.33 |
| $50.00 | $148 |
| $100 | $297 |
| $500 | $1,483 |
| $1,000 | $2,967 |
| $5,000 | $14,833 |
| $10,000 | $29,665 |
| $100,000 | $296,651 |
| $1,000,000 | $2,966,507 |
The headline number is an average. Individual categories moved very differently over this period. Here is what $100 of 1972 spending costs in 1989, by category:
| Category | Avg. yearly inflation | $100 in 1972 → |
|---|---|---|
| All items (CPI-U) | 6.61% | $297 |
| Medical care | 8.50% | $400 |
| Energy | 7.59% | $347 |
| Housing | 6.93% | $312 |
| Food | 6.62% | $297 |
| Core (all items less food & energy) | 6.53% | $293 |
| Transportation | 6.38% | $286 |
| Apparel | 3.86% | $190 |
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 |
| 1987 | 113.6 | 3.6% | $272 |
| 1988 | 118.3 | 4.1% | $283 |
| 1989 | 124 | 4.8% | $297 |
MLA: “Inflation from 1972 to 1989: $100 is worth $297 today.” InflationCalculator.com, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI-U data, https://inflationcalculator.com/inflation/1972-to-1989/
APA: InflationCalculator.com. Inflation from 1972 to 1989. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI-U data. Retrieved from https://inflationcalculator.com/inflation/1972-to-1989/
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.