U.S. inflation · 1986–1997
$100 in 1986 has the same buying power as
$146
in 1997
| Cumulative price change | 46.4% |
|---|---|
| Average inflation rate | 3.53% per year |
| Converted amount ($100 base) | $146 |
| Price difference ($100 base) | $46.44 |
| CPI in 1986 | 109.6 |
| CPI in 1997 | 160.5 |
| Inflation in 1986 | 1.86% |
| Inflation in 1997 | 2.29% |
| $100 in 1986 → 1997 | $146 |
| $100 in 1997 → 1986 | $68.29 |
Between 1986 and 1997, the Consumer Price Index went from 109.6 to 160.5. Cumulatively, prices increased 46.4%, which works out to an average of 3.53% per year. Put differently, a dollar in 1986 bought what $0.68 buys in 1997.
| Amount in 1986 | Value in 1997 |
|---|---|
| $1.00 | $1.46 |
| $5.00 | $7.32 |
| $10.00 | $14.64 |
| $20.00 | $29.29 |
| $50.00 | $73.22 |
| $100 | $146 |
| $500 | $732 |
| $1,000 | $1,464 |
| $5,000 | $7,322 |
| $10,000 | $14,644 |
| $100,000 | $146,442 |
| $1,000,000 | $1,464,416 |
The headline number is an average. Individual categories moved very differently over this period. Here is what $100 of 1986 spending costs in 1997, by category:
| Category | Avg. yearly inflation | $100 in 1986 → |
|---|---|---|
| All items (CPI-U) | 3.53% | $146 |
| Medical care | 6.12% | $192 |
| Core (all items less food & energy) | 3.71% | $149 |
| Food | 3.39% | $144 |
| Housing | 3.20% | $141 |
| Transportation | 3.18% | $141 |
| Energy | 2.15% | $126 |
| Apparel | 2.09% | $125 |
Not shown because the BLS began these indexes after 1986: recreation (1993–), education & communication (1993–).
| Year | CPI | Inflation rate | $100 from 1986 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | 109.6 | 1.9% | $100 |
| 1987 | 113.6 | 3.6% | $104 |
| 1988 | 118.3 | 4.1% | $108 |
| 1989 | 124 | 4.8% | $113 |
| 1990 | 130.7 | 5.4% | $119 |
| 1991 | 136.2 | 4.2% | $124 |
| 1992 | 140.3 | 3.0% | $128 |
| 1993 | 144.5 | 3.0% | $132 |
| 1994 | 148.2 | 2.6% | $135 |
| 1995 | 152.4 | 2.8% | $139 |
| 1996 | 156.9 | 3.0% | $143 |
| 1997 | 160.5 | 2.3% | $146 |
MLA: “Inflation from 1986 to 1997: $100 is worth $146 today.” InflationCalculator.com, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI-U data, https://inflationcalculator.com/inflation/1986-to-1997/
APA: InflationCalculator.com. Inflation from 1986 to 1997. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI-U data. Retrieved from https://inflationcalculator.com/inflation/1986-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.