U.S. inflation · 1982–2026
$100 in 1982 has the same buying power as
$344
in 2026
| Cumulative price change | 243.7% |
|---|---|
| Average inflation rate | 2.85% per year |
| Converted amount ($100 base) | $344 |
| Price difference ($100 base) | $244 |
| CPI in 1982 | 96.5 |
| CPI in 2026 | 331.655 |
| Inflation in 1982 | 6.16% |
| Inflation in 2026 | 3.02% |
| $100 in 1982 → 2026 | $344 |
| $100 in 2026 → 1982 | $29.10 |
Uses a partial-year average for the current year; updates with each CPI release.
Between 1982 and 2026, the Consumer Price Index went from 96.5 to 331.655. Cumulatively, prices increased 243.7%, which works out to an average of 2.85% per year. Put differently, a dollar in 1982 bought what $0.29 buys in 2026.
| Amount in 1982 | Value in 2026 |
|---|---|
| $1.00 | $3.44 |
| $5.00 | $17.18 |
| $10.00 | $34.37 |
| $20.00 | $68.74 |
| $50.00 | $172 |
| $100 | $344 |
| $500 | $1,718 |
| $1,000 | $3,437 |
| $5,000 | $17,184 |
| $10,000 | $34,368 |
| $100,000 | $343,684 |
| $1,000,000 | $3,436,839 |
The headline number is an average. Individual categories moved very differently over this period. Here is what $100 of 1982 spending costs in 2026, by category:
| Category | Avg. yearly inflation | $100 in 1982 → |
|---|---|---|
| All items (CPI-U) | 2.85% | $344 |
| Medical care | 4.31% | $640 |
| Housing | 3.01% | $368 |
| Food | 2.94% | $358 |
| Core (all items less food & energy) | 2.89% | $350 |
| Energy | 2.66% | $317 |
| Transportation | 2.48% | $294 |
| Apparel | 0.75% | $139 |
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 |
| 1984 | 103.9 | 4.3% | $108 |
| 1986 | 109.6 | 1.9% | $114 |
| 1988 | 118.3 | 4.1% | $123 |
| 1990 | 130.7 | 5.4% | $135 |
| 1992 | 140.3 | 3.0% | $145 |
| 1994 | 148.2 | 2.6% | $154 |
| 1996 | 156.9 | 3.0% | $163 |
| 1998 | 163 | 1.6% | $169 |
| 2000 | 172.2 | 3.4% | $178 |
| 2002 | 179.9 | 1.6% | $186 |
| 2004 | 188.9 | 2.7% | $196 |
| 2006 | 201.6 | 3.2% | $209 |
| 2008 | 215.303 | 3.8% | $223 |
| 2010 | 218.056 | 1.6% | $226 |
| 2012 | 229.594 | 2.1% | $238 |
| 2014 | 236.736 | 1.6% | $245 |
| 2016 | 240.007 | 1.3% | $249 |
| 2018 | 251.107 | 2.4% | $260 |
| 2020 | 258.811 | 1.2% | $268 |
| 2022 | 292.655 | 8.0% | $303 |
| 2024 | 313.689 | 2.9% | $325 |
| 2026 | 331.655 | 3.0% | $344 |
Long periods are sampled every 2 years; the calculator above covers any pair of years.
MLA: “Inflation from 1982 to 2026: $100 is worth $344 today.” InflationCalculator.com, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI-U data, https://inflationcalculator.com/inflation/1982-to-2026/
APA: InflationCalculator.com. Inflation from 1982 to 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI-U data. Retrieved from https://inflationcalculator.com/inflation/1982-to-2026/
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.