U.S. inflation · 1978–2003
$100 in 1978 has the same buying power as
$282
in 2003
| Cumulative price change | 182.2% |
|---|---|
| Average inflation rate | 4.24% per year |
| Converted amount ($100 base) | $282 |
| Price difference ($100 base) | $182 |
| CPI in 1978 | 65.2 |
| CPI in 2003 | 184 |
| Inflation in 1978 | 7.59% |
| Inflation in 2003 | 2.28% |
| $100 in 1978 → 2003 | $282 |
| $100 in 2003 → 1978 | $35.43 |
Between 1978 and 2003, the Consumer Price Index went from 65.2 to 184. Cumulatively, prices increased 182.2%, which works out to an average of 4.24% per year. Put differently, a dollar in 1978 bought what $0.35 buys in 2003.
| Amount in 1978 | Value in 2003 |
|---|---|
| $1.00 | $2.82 |
| $5.00 | $14.11 |
| $10.00 | $28.22 |
| $20.00 | $56.44 |
| $50.00 | $141 |
| $100 | $282 |
| $500 | $1,411 |
| $1,000 | $2,822 |
| $5,000 | $14,110 |
| $10,000 | $28,221 |
| $100,000 | $282,209 |
| $1,000,000 | $2,822,086 |
The headline number is an average. Individual categories moved very differently over this period. Here is what $100 of 1978 spending costs in 2003, by category:
| Category | Avg. yearly inflation | $100 in 1978 → |
|---|---|---|
| All items (CPI-U) | 4.24% | $282 |
| Medical care | 6.48% | $481 |
| Housing | 4.44% | $296 |
| Core (all items less food & energy) | 4.42% | $295 |
| Energy | 3.90% | $260 |
| Transportation | 3.82% | $255 |
| Food | 3.73% | $250 |
| Apparel | 1.59% | $149 |
Not shown because the BLS began these indexes after 1978: recreation (1993–), education & communication (1993–).
| Year | CPI | Inflation rate | $100 from 1978 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | 65.2 | 7.6% | $100 |
| 1979 | 72.6 | 11.3% | $111 |
| 1980 | 82.4 | 13.5% | $126 |
| 1981 | 90.9 | 10.3% | $139 |
| 1982 | 96.5 | 6.2% | $148 |
| 1983 | 99.6 | 3.2% | $153 |
| 1984 | 103.9 | 4.3% | $159 |
| 1985 | 107.6 | 3.6% | $165 |
| 1986 | 109.6 | 1.9% | $168 |
| 1987 | 113.6 | 3.6% | $174 |
| 1988 | 118.3 | 4.1% | $181 |
| 1989 | 124 | 4.8% | $190 |
| 1990 | 130.7 | 5.4% | $200 |
| 1991 | 136.2 | 4.2% | $209 |
| 1992 | 140.3 | 3.0% | $215 |
| 1993 | 144.5 | 3.0% | $222 |
| 1994 | 148.2 | 2.6% | $227 |
| 1995 | 152.4 | 2.8% | $234 |
| 1996 | 156.9 | 3.0% | $241 |
| 1997 | 160.5 | 2.3% | $246 |
| 1998 | 163 | 1.6% | $250 |
| 1999 | 166.6 | 2.2% | $256 |
| 2000 | 172.2 | 3.4% | $264 |
| 2001 | 177.1 | 2.8% | $272 |
| 2002 | 179.9 | 1.6% | $276 |
| 2003 | 184 | 2.3% | $282 |
MLA: “Inflation from 1978 to 2003: $100 is worth $282 today.” InflationCalculator.com, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI-U data, https://inflationcalculator.com/inflation/1978-to-2003/
APA: InflationCalculator.com. Inflation from 1978 to 2003. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI-U data. Retrieved from https://inflationcalculator.com/inflation/1978-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.