U.S. inflation · 1976–1998
$100 in 1976 has the same buying power as
$286
in 1998
| Cumulative price change | 186.5% |
|---|---|
| Average inflation rate | 4.90% per year |
| Converted amount ($100 base) | $286 |
| Price difference ($100 base) | $186 |
| CPI in 1976 | 56.9 |
| CPI in 1998 | 163 |
| Inflation in 1976 | 5.76% |
| Inflation in 1998 | 1.56% |
| $100 in 1976 → 1998 | $286 |
| $100 in 1998 → 1976 | $34.91 |
Between 1976 and 1998, the Consumer Price Index went from 56.9 to 163. Cumulatively, prices increased 186.5%, which works out to an average of 4.90% per year. Put differently, a dollar in 1976 bought what $0.35 buys in 1998.
| Amount in 1976 | Value in 1998 |
|---|---|
| $1.00 | $2.86 |
| $5.00 | $14.32 |
| $10.00 | $28.65 |
| $20.00 | $57.29 |
| $50.00 | $143 |
| $100 | $286 |
| $500 | $1,432 |
| $1,000 | $2,865 |
| $5,000 | $14,323 |
| $10,000 | $28,647 |
| $100,000 | $286,467 |
| $1,000,000 | $2,864,675 |
The headline number is an average. Individual categories moved very differently over this period. Here is what $100 of 1976 spending costs in 1998, by category:
| Category | Avg. yearly inflation | $100 in 1976 → |
|---|---|---|
| All items (CPI-U) | 4.90% | $286 |
| Medical care | 7.24% | $466 |
| Core (all items less food & energy) | 5.15% | $302 |
| Housing | 5.09% | $298 |
| Food | 4.45% | $261 |
| Transportation | 4.38% | $257 |
| Energy | 3.82% | $228 |
| Apparel | 2.63% | $177 |
Not shown because the BLS began these indexes after 1976: recreation (1993–), education & communication (1993–).
| Year | CPI | Inflation rate | $100 from 1976 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | 56.9 | 5.8% | $100 |
| 1977 | 60.6 | 6.5% | $107 |
| 1978 | 65.2 | 7.6% | $115 |
| 1979 | 72.6 | 11.3% | $128 |
| 1980 | 82.4 | 13.5% | $145 |
| 1981 | 90.9 | 10.3% | $160 |
| 1982 | 96.5 | 6.2% | $170 |
| 1983 | 99.6 | 3.2% | $175 |
| 1984 | 103.9 | 4.3% | $183 |
| 1985 | 107.6 | 3.6% | $189 |
| 1986 | 109.6 | 1.9% | $193 |
| 1987 | 113.6 | 3.6% | $200 |
| 1988 | 118.3 | 4.1% | $208 |
| 1989 | 124 | 4.8% | $218 |
| 1990 | 130.7 | 5.4% | $230 |
| 1991 | 136.2 | 4.2% | $239 |
| 1992 | 140.3 | 3.0% | $247 |
| 1993 | 144.5 | 3.0% | $254 |
| 1994 | 148.2 | 2.6% | $260 |
| 1995 | 152.4 | 2.8% | $268 |
| 1996 | 156.9 | 3.0% | $276 |
| 1997 | 160.5 | 2.3% | $282 |
| 1998 | 163 | 1.6% | $286 |
MLA: “Inflation from 1976 to 1998: $100 is worth $286 today.” InflationCalculator.com, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI-U data, https://inflationcalculator.com/inflation/1976-to-1998/
APA: InflationCalculator.com. Inflation from 1976 to 1998. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI-U data. Retrieved from https://inflationcalculator.com/inflation/1976-to-1998/
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.