U.S. inflation · 1975–1988
$100 in 1975 has the same buying power as
$220
in 1988
| Cumulative price change | 119.9% |
|---|---|
| Average inflation rate | 6.25% per year |
| Converted amount ($100 base) | $220 |
| Price difference ($100 base) | $120 |
| CPI in 1975 | 53.8 |
| CPI in 1988 | 118.3 |
| Inflation in 1975 | 9.13% |
| Inflation in 1988 | 4.14% |
| $100 in 1975 → 1988 | $220 |
| $100 in 1988 → 1975 | $45.48 |
Between 1975 and 1988, the Consumer Price Index went from 53.8 to 118.3. Cumulatively, prices increased 119.9%, which works out to an average of 6.25% per year. Put differently, a dollar in 1975 bought what $0.45 buys in 1988.
| Amount in 1975 | Value in 1988 |
|---|---|
| $1.00 | $2.20 |
| $5.00 | $10.99 |
| $10.00 | $21.99 |
| $20.00 | $43.98 |
| $50.00 | $110 |
| $100 | $220 |
| $500 | $1,099 |
| $1,000 | $2,199 |
| $5,000 | $10,994 |
| $10,000 | $21,989 |
| $100,000 | $219,888 |
| $1,000,000 | $2,198,885 |
The headline number is an average. Individual categories moved very differently over this period. Here is what $100 of 1975 spending costs in 1988, by category:
| Category | Avg. yearly inflation | $100 in 1975 → |
|---|---|---|
| All items (CPI-U) | 6.25% | $220 |
| Medical care | 8.59% | $292 |
| Housing | 6.75% | $234 |
| Core (all items less food & energy) | 6.58% | $229 |
| Transportation | 6.14% | $217 |
| Energy | 5.95% | $212 |
| Food | 5.38% | $198 |
| Apparel | 3.64% | $159 |
Not shown because the BLS began these indexes after 1975: recreation (1993–), education & communication (1993–).
| Year | CPI | Inflation rate | $100 from 1975 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | 53.8 | 9.1% | $100 |
| 1976 | 56.9 | 5.8% | $106 |
| 1977 | 60.6 | 6.5% | $113 |
| 1978 | 65.2 | 7.6% | $121 |
| 1979 | 72.6 | 11.3% | $135 |
| 1980 | 82.4 | 13.5% | $153 |
| 1981 | 90.9 | 10.3% | $169 |
| 1982 | 96.5 | 6.2% | $179 |
| 1983 | 99.6 | 3.2% | $185 |
| 1984 | 103.9 | 4.3% | $193 |
| 1985 | 107.6 | 3.6% | $200 |
| 1986 | 109.6 | 1.9% | $204 |
| 1987 | 113.6 | 3.6% | $211 |
| 1988 | 118.3 | 4.1% | $220 |
MLA: “Inflation from 1975 to 1988: $100 is worth $220 today.” InflationCalculator.com, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI-U data, https://inflationcalculator.com/inflation/1975-to-1988/
APA: InflationCalculator.com. Inflation from 1975 to 1988. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI-U data. Retrieved from https://inflationcalculator.com/inflation/1975-to-1988/
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.