U.S. inflation · 1983–1997
$100 in 1983 has the same buying power as
$161
in 1997
| Cumulative price change | 61.1% |
|---|---|
| Average inflation rate | 3.47% per year |
| Converted amount ($100 base) | $161 |
| Price difference ($100 base) | $61.14 |
| CPI in 1983 | 99.6 |
| CPI in 1997 | 160.5 |
| Inflation in 1983 | 3.21% |
| Inflation in 1997 | 2.29% |
| $100 in 1983 → 1997 | $161 |
| $100 in 1997 → 1983 | $62.06 |
Between 1983 and 1997, the Consumer Price Index went from 99.6 to 160.5. Cumulatively, prices increased 61.1%, which works out to an average of 3.47% per year. Put differently, a dollar in 1983 bought what $0.62 buys in 1997.
| Amount in 1983 | Value in 1997 |
|---|---|
| $1.00 | $1.61 |
| $5.00 | $8.06 |
| $10.00 | $16.11 |
| $20.00 | $32.23 |
| $50.00 | $80.57 |
| $100 | $161 |
| $500 | $806 |
| $1,000 | $1,611 |
| $5,000 | $8,057 |
| $10,000 | $16,114 |
| $100,000 | $161,145 |
| $1,000,000 | $1,611,446 |
The headline number is an average. Individual categories moved very differently over this period. Here is what $100 of 1983 spending costs in 1997, by category:
| Category | Avg. yearly inflation | $100 in 1983 → |
|---|---|---|
| All items (CPI-U) | 3.47% | $161 |
| Medical care | 6.23% | $233 |
| Core (all items less food & energy) | 3.87% | $170 |
| Food | 3.33% | $158 |
| Housing | 3.30% | $158 |
| Transportation | 2.71% | $145 |
| Apparel | 2.04% | $133 |
| Energy | 0.79% | $112 |
Not shown because the BLS began these indexes after 1983: recreation (1993–), education & communication (1993–).
| Year | CPI | Inflation rate | $100 from 1983 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | 99.6 | 3.2% | $100 |
| 1984 | 103.9 | 4.3% | $104 |
| 1985 | 107.6 | 3.6% | $108 |
| 1986 | 109.6 | 1.9% | $110 |
| 1987 | 113.6 | 3.6% | $114 |
| 1988 | 118.3 | 4.1% | $119 |
| 1989 | 124 | 4.8% | $124 |
| 1990 | 130.7 | 5.4% | $131 |
| 1991 | 136.2 | 4.2% | $137 |
| 1992 | 140.3 | 3.0% | $141 |
| 1993 | 144.5 | 3.0% | $145 |
| 1994 | 148.2 | 2.6% | $149 |
| 1995 | 152.4 | 2.8% | $153 |
| 1996 | 156.9 | 3.0% | $158 |
| 1997 | 160.5 | 2.3% | $161 |
MLA: “Inflation from 1983 to 1997: $100 is worth $161 today.” InflationCalculator.com, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI-U data, https://inflationcalculator.com/inflation/1983-to-1997/
APA: InflationCalculator.com. Inflation from 1983 to 1997. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI-U data. Retrieved from https://inflationcalculator.com/inflation/1983-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.