U.S. inflation · 1974–2003
$100 in 1974 has the same buying power as
$373
in 2003
| Cumulative price change | 273.2% |
|---|---|
| Average inflation rate | 4.65% per year |
| Converted amount ($100 base) | $373 |
| Price difference ($100 base) | $273 |
| CPI in 1974 | 49.3 |
| CPI in 2003 | 184 |
| Inflation in 1974 | 11.04% |
| Inflation in 2003 | 2.28% |
| $100 in 1974 → 2003 | $373 |
| $100 in 2003 → 1974 | $26.79 |
Between 1974 and 2003, the Consumer Price Index went from 49.3 to 184. Cumulatively, prices increased 273.2%, which works out to an average of 4.65% per year. Put differently, a dollar in 1974 bought what $0.27 buys in 2003.
| Amount in 1974 | Value in 2003 |
|---|---|
| $1.00 | $3.73 |
| $5.00 | $18.66 |
| $10.00 | $37.32 |
| $20.00 | $74.65 |
| $50.00 | $187 |
| $100 | $373 |
| $500 | $1,866 |
| $1,000 | $3,732 |
| $5,000 | $18,661 |
| $10,000 | $37,323 |
| $100,000 | $373,225 |
| $1,000,000 | $3,732,252 |
The headline number is an average. Individual categories moved very differently over this period. Here is what $100 of 1974 spending costs in 2003, by category:
| Category | Avg. yearly inflation | $100 in 1974 → |
|---|---|---|
| All items (CPI-U) | 4.65% | $373 |
| Medical care | 6.94% | $701 |
| Housing | 4.93% | $403 |
| Core (all items less food & energy) | 4.82% | $391 |
| Energy | 4.50% | $358 |
| Transportation | 4.35% | $344 |
| Food | 4.17% | $327 |
| Apparel | 1.93% | $174 |
Not shown because the BLS began these indexes after 1974: recreation (1993–), education & communication (1993–).
| Year | CPI | Inflation rate | $100 from 1974 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | 49.3 | 11.0% | $100 |
| 1975 | 53.8 | 9.1% | $109 |
| 1976 | 56.9 | 5.8% | $115 |
| 1977 | 60.6 | 6.5% | $123 |
| 1978 | 65.2 | 7.6% | $132 |
| 1979 | 72.6 | 11.3% | $147 |
| 1980 | 82.4 | 13.5% | $167 |
| 1981 | 90.9 | 10.3% | $184 |
| 1982 | 96.5 | 6.2% | $196 |
| 1983 | 99.6 | 3.2% | $202 |
| 1984 | 103.9 | 4.3% | $211 |
| 1985 | 107.6 | 3.6% | $218 |
| 1986 | 109.6 | 1.9% | $222 |
| 1987 | 113.6 | 3.6% | $230 |
| 1988 | 118.3 | 4.1% | $240 |
| 1989 | 124 | 4.8% | $252 |
| 1990 | 130.7 | 5.4% | $265 |
| 1991 | 136.2 | 4.2% | $276 |
| 1992 | 140.3 | 3.0% | $285 |
| 1993 | 144.5 | 3.0% | $293 |
| 1994 | 148.2 | 2.6% | $301 |
| 1995 | 152.4 | 2.8% | $309 |
| 1996 | 156.9 | 3.0% | $318 |
| 1997 | 160.5 | 2.3% | $326 |
| 1998 | 163 | 1.6% | $331 |
| 1999 | 166.6 | 2.2% | $338 |
| 2000 | 172.2 | 3.4% | $349 |
| 2001 | 177.1 | 2.8% | $359 |
| 2002 | 179.9 | 1.6% | $365 |
| 2003 | 184 | 2.3% | $373 |
MLA: “Inflation from 1974 to 2003: $100 is worth $373 today.” InflationCalculator.com, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI-U data, https://inflationcalculator.com/inflation/1974-to-2003/
APA: InflationCalculator.com. Inflation from 1974 to 2003. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI-U data. Retrieved from https://inflationcalculator.com/inflation/1974-to-2003/
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.