U.S. inflation · 1985–2003
$100 in 1985 has the same buying power as
$171
in 2003
| Cumulative price change | 71.0% |
|---|---|
| Average inflation rate | 3.03% per year |
| Converted amount ($100 base) | $171 |
| Price difference ($100 base) | $71.00 |
| CPI in 1985 | 107.6 |
| CPI in 2003 | 184 |
| Inflation in 1985 | 3.56% |
| Inflation in 2003 | 2.28% |
| $100 in 1985 → 2003 | $171 |
| $100 in 2003 → 1985 | $58.48 |
Between 1985 and 2003, the Consumer Price Index went from 107.6 to 184. Cumulatively, prices increased 71.0%, which works out to an average of 3.03% per year. Put differently, a dollar in 1985 bought what $0.58 buys in 2003.
| Amount in 1985 | Value in 2003 |
|---|---|
| $1.00 | $1.71 |
| $5.00 | $8.55 |
| $10.00 | $17.10 |
| $20.00 | $34.20 |
| $50.00 | $85.50 |
| $100 | $171 |
| $500 | $855 |
| $1,000 | $1,710 |
| $5,000 | $8,550 |
| $10,000 | $17,100 |
| $100,000 | $171,004 |
| $1,000,000 | $1,710,037 |
The headline number is an average. Individual categories moved very differently over this period. Here is what $100 of 1985 spending costs in 2003, by category:
| Category | Avg. yearly inflation | $100 in 1985 → |
|---|---|---|
| All items (CPI-U) | 3.03% | $171 |
| Medical care | 5.49% | $262 |
| Core (all items less food & energy) | 3.23% | $177 |
| Housing | 3.05% | $172 |
| Food | 3.01% | $170 |
| Transportation | 2.21% | $148 |
| Energy | 1.65% | $134 |
| Apparel | 0.79% | $115 |
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 |
| 1997 | 160.5 | 2.3% | $149 |
| 1998 | 163 | 1.6% | $151 |
| 1999 | 166.6 | 2.2% | $155 |
| 2000 | 172.2 | 3.4% | $160 |
| 2001 | 177.1 | 2.8% | $165 |
| 2002 | 179.9 | 1.6% | $167 |
| 2003 | 184 | 2.3% | $171 |
MLA: “Inflation from 1985 to 2003: $100 is worth $171 today.” InflationCalculator.com, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI-U data, https://inflationcalculator.com/inflation/1985-to-2003/
APA: InflationCalculator.com. Inflation from 1985 to 2003. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI-U data. Retrieved from https://inflationcalculator.com/inflation/1985-to-2003/
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.