U.S. inflation · 1985–1996
$100 in 1985 has the same buying power as
$146
in 1996
| Cumulative price change | 45.8% |
|---|---|
| Average inflation rate | 3.49% per year |
| Converted amount ($100 base) | $146 |
| Price difference ($100 base) | $45.82 |
| CPI in 1985 | 107.6 |
| CPI in 1996 | 156.9 |
| Inflation in 1985 | 3.56% |
| Inflation in 1996 | 2.95% |
| $100 in 1985 → 1996 | $146 |
| $100 in 1996 → 1985 | $68.58 |
Between 1985 and 1996, the Consumer Price Index went from 107.6 to 156.9. Cumulatively, prices increased 45.8%, which works out to an average of 3.49% per year. Put differently, a dollar in 1985 bought what $0.69 buys in 1996.
| Amount in 1985 | Value in 1996 |
|---|---|
| $1.00 | $1.46 |
| $5.00 | $7.29 |
| $10.00 | $14.58 |
| $20.00 | $29.16 |
| $50.00 | $72.91 |
| $100 | $146 |
| $500 | $729 |
| $1,000 | $1,458 |
| $5,000 | $7,291 |
| $10,000 | $14,582 |
| $100,000 | $145,818 |
| $1,000,000 | $1,458,178 |
The headline number is an average. Individual categories moved very differently over this period. Here is what $100 of 1985 spending costs in 1996, by category:
| Category | Avg. yearly inflation | $100 in 1985 → |
|---|---|---|
| All items (CPI-U) | 3.49% | $146 |
| Medical care | 6.56% | $201 |
| Core (all items less food & energy) | 3.87% | $152 |
| Food | 3.45% | $145 |
| Housing | 3.23% | $142 |
| Transportation | 2.72% | $134 |
| Apparel | 2.08% | $125 |
| Energy | 0.73% | $108 |
Not shown because the BLS began these indexes after 1985: recreation (1993–), education & communication (1993–).
| Year | CPI | Inflation rate | $100 from 1985 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | 107.6 | 3.6% | $100 |
| 1986 | 109.6 | 1.9% | $102 |
| 1987 | 113.6 | 3.6% | $106 |
| 1988 | 118.3 | 4.1% | $110 |
| 1989 | 124 | 4.8% | $115 |
| 1990 | 130.7 | 5.4% | $121 |
| 1991 | 136.2 | 4.2% | $127 |
| 1992 | 140.3 | 3.0% | $130 |
| 1993 | 144.5 | 3.0% | $134 |
| 1994 | 148.2 | 2.6% | $138 |
| 1995 | 152.4 | 2.8% | $142 |
| 1996 | 156.9 | 3.0% | $146 |
MLA: “Inflation from 1985 to 1996: $100 is worth $146 today.” InflationCalculator.com, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI-U data, https://inflationcalculator.com/inflation/1985-to-1996/
APA: InflationCalculator.com. Inflation from 1985 to 1996. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI-U data. Retrieved from https://inflationcalculator.com/inflation/1985-to-1996/
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.