U.S. inflation · 1977–1996
$100 in 1977 has the same buying power as
$259
in 1996
| Cumulative price change | 158.9% |
|---|---|
| Average inflation rate | 5.13% per year |
| Converted amount ($100 base) | $259 |
| Price difference ($100 base) | $159 |
| CPI in 1977 | 60.6 |
| CPI in 1996 | 156.9 |
| Inflation in 1977 | 6.50% |
| Inflation in 1996 | 2.95% |
| $100 in 1977 → 1996 | $259 |
| $100 in 1996 → 1977 | $38.62 |
Between 1977 and 1996, the Consumer Price Index went from 60.6 to 156.9. Cumulatively, prices increased 158.9%, which works out to an average of 5.13% per year. Put differently, a dollar in 1977 bought what $0.39 buys in 1996.
| Amount in 1977 | Value in 1996 |
|---|---|
| $1.00 | $2.59 |
| $5.00 | $12.95 |
| $10.00 | $25.89 |
| $20.00 | $51.78 |
| $50.00 | $129 |
| $100 | $259 |
| $500 | $1,295 |
| $1,000 | $2,589 |
| $5,000 | $12,946 |
| $10,000 | $25,891 |
| $100,000 | $258,911 |
| $1,000,000 | $2,589,109 |
The headline number is an average. Individual categories moved very differently over this period. Here is what $100 of 1977 spending costs in 1996, by category:
| Category | Avg. yearly inflation | $100 in 1977 → |
|---|---|---|
| All items (CPI-U) | 5.13% | $259 |
| Medical care | 7.57% | $400 |
| Core (all items less food & energy) | 5.40% | $271 |
| Housing | 5.29% | $266 |
| Transportation | 4.77% | $242 |
| Food | 4.58% | $234 |
| Energy | 4.31% | $223 |
| Apparel | 2.75% | $168 |
Not shown because the BLS began these indexes after 1977: recreation (1993–), education & communication (1993–).
| Year | CPI | Inflation rate | $100 from 1977 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | 60.6 | 6.5% | $100 |
| 1978 | 65.2 | 7.6% | $108 |
| 1979 | 72.6 | 11.3% | $120 |
| 1980 | 82.4 | 13.5% | $136 |
| 1981 | 90.9 | 10.3% | $150 |
| 1982 | 96.5 | 6.2% | $159 |
| 1983 | 99.6 | 3.2% | $164 |
| 1984 | 103.9 | 4.3% | $171 |
| 1985 | 107.6 | 3.6% | $178 |
| 1986 | 109.6 | 1.9% | $181 |
| 1987 | 113.6 | 3.6% | $187 |
| 1988 | 118.3 | 4.1% | $195 |
| 1989 | 124 | 4.8% | $205 |
| 1990 | 130.7 | 5.4% | $216 |
| 1991 | 136.2 | 4.2% | $225 |
| 1992 | 140.3 | 3.0% | $232 |
| 1993 | 144.5 | 3.0% | $238 |
| 1994 | 148.2 | 2.6% | $245 |
| 1995 | 152.4 | 2.8% | $251 |
| 1996 | 156.9 | 3.0% | $259 |
MLA: “Inflation from 1977 to 1996: $100 is worth $259 today.” InflationCalculator.com, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI-U data, https://inflationcalculator.com/inflation/1977-to-1996/
APA: InflationCalculator.com. Inflation from 1977 to 1996. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI-U data. Retrieved from https://inflationcalculator.com/inflation/1977-to-1996/
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.