U.S. inflation · 1982–1998
$100 in 1982 has the same buying power as
$169
in 1998
| Cumulative price change | 68.9% |
|---|---|
| Average inflation rate | 3.33% per year |
| Converted amount ($100 base) | $169 |
| Price difference ($100 base) | $68.91 |
| CPI in 1982 | 96.5 |
| CPI in 1998 | 163 |
| Inflation in 1982 | 6.16% |
| Inflation in 1998 | 1.56% |
| $100 in 1982 → 1998 | $169 |
| $100 in 1998 → 1982 | $59.20 |
Between 1982 and 1998, the Consumer Price Index went from 96.5 to 163. Cumulatively, prices increased 68.9%, which works out to an average of 3.33% per year. Put differently, a dollar in 1982 bought what $0.59 buys in 1998.
| Amount in 1982 | Value in 1998 |
|---|---|
| $1.00 | $1.69 |
| $5.00 | $8.45 |
| $10.00 | $16.89 |
| $20.00 | $33.78 |
| $50.00 | $84.46 |
| $100 | $169 |
| $500 | $845 |
| $1,000 | $1,689 |
| $5,000 | $8,446 |
| $10,000 | $16,891 |
| $100,000 | $168,912 |
| $1,000,000 | $1,689,119 |
The headline number is an average. Individual categories moved very differently over this period. Here is what $100 of 1982 spending costs in 1998, by category:
| Category | Avg. yearly inflation | $100 in 1982 → |
|---|---|---|
| All items (CPI-U) | 3.33% | $169 |
| Medical care | 6.20% | $262 |
| Core (all items less food & energy) | 3.78% | $181 |
| Housing | 3.20% | $166 |
| Food | 3.18% | $165 |
| Transportation | 2.39% | $146 |
| Apparel | 1.94% | $136 |
| Energy | 0.23% | $104 |
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 |
| 1998 | 163 | 1.6% | $169 |
MLA: “Inflation from 1982 to 1998: $100 is worth $169 today.” InflationCalculator.com, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI-U data, https://inflationcalculator.com/inflation/1982-to-1998/
APA: InflationCalculator.com. Inflation from 1982 to 1998. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI-U data. Retrieved from https://inflationcalculator.com/inflation/1982-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.