U.S. inflation · 1982–1997
$100 in 1982 has the same buying power as
$166
in 1997
| Cumulative price change | 66.3% |
|---|---|
| Average inflation rate | 3.45% per year |
| Converted amount ($100 base) | $166 |
| Price difference ($100 base) | $66.32 |
| CPI in 1982 | 96.5 |
| CPI in 1997 | 160.5 |
| Inflation in 1982 | 6.16% |
| Inflation in 1997 | 2.29% |
| $100 in 1982 → 1997 | $166 |
| $100 in 1997 → 1982 | $60.12 |
Between 1982 and 1997, the Consumer Price Index went from 96.5 to 160.5. Cumulatively, prices increased 66.3%, which works out to an average of 3.45% per year. Put differently, a dollar in 1982 bought what $0.60 buys in 1997.
| Amount in 1982 | Value in 1997 |
|---|---|
| $1.00 | $1.66 |
| $5.00 | $8.32 |
| $10.00 | $16.63 |
| $20.00 | $33.26 |
| $50.00 | $83.16 |
| $100 | $166 |
| $500 | $832 |
| $1,000 | $1,663 |
| $5,000 | $8,316 |
| $10,000 | $16,632 |
| $100,000 | $166,321 |
| $1,000,000 | $1,663,212 |
The headline number is an average. Individual categories moved very differently over this period. Here is what $100 of 1982 spending costs in 1997, by category:
| Category | Avg. yearly inflation | $100 in 1982 → |
|---|---|---|
| All items (CPI-U) | 3.45% | $166 |
| Medical care | 6.40% | $254 |
| Core (all items less food & energy) | 3.88% | $177 |
| Housing | 3.26% | $162 |
| Food | 3.25% | $161 |
| Transportation | 2.68% | $149 |
| Apparel | 2.07% | $136 |
| Energy | 0.78% | $112 |
Not shown because the BLS began these indexes after 1982: recreation (1993–), education & communication (1993–).
| Year | CPI | Inflation rate | $100 from 1982 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | 96.5 | 6.2% | $100 |
| 1983 | 99.6 | 3.2% | $103 |
| 1984 | 103.9 | 4.3% | $108 |
| 1985 | 107.6 | 3.6% | $112 |
| 1986 | 109.6 | 1.9% | $114 |
| 1987 | 113.6 | 3.6% | $118 |
| 1988 | 118.3 | 4.1% | $123 |
| 1989 | 124 | 4.8% | $128 |
| 1990 | 130.7 | 5.4% | $135 |
| 1991 | 136.2 | 4.2% | $141 |
| 1992 | 140.3 | 3.0% | $145 |
| 1993 | 144.5 | 3.0% | $150 |
| 1994 | 148.2 | 2.6% | $154 |
| 1995 | 152.4 | 2.8% | $158 |
| 1996 | 156.9 | 3.0% | $163 |
| 1997 | 160.5 | 2.3% | $166 |
MLA: “Inflation from 1982 to 1997: $100 is worth $166 today.” InflationCalculator.com, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI-U data, https://inflationcalculator.com/inflation/1982-to-1997/
APA: InflationCalculator.com. Inflation from 1982 to 1997. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI-U data. Retrieved from https://inflationcalculator.com/inflation/1982-to-1997/
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.