According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for new vehicles were 42.82% higher in 2018 versus 1984 (a $393.98 difference in value).
Between 1984 and 2018: Vehicles experienced an average inflation rate of 1.05% per year. In other words, vehicles costing $920 in the year 1984 would cost $1,313.98 in 2018 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.62% during this same period, inflation for vehicles was lower.
Raw Consumer Price Index data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for New vehicles:
| Year | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 |
| CPI | 102.633 | 106.067 | 110.600 | 114.367 | 116.500 | 119.200 | 121.400 | 126.000 | 129.200 | 132.733 | 137.600 | 140.967 | 143.700 | 144.267 | 143.433 | 142.867 | 142.767 | 142.133 | 140.000 | 137.867 | 137.067 | 137.933 | 137.600 | 136.254 | 134.194 | 135.623 | 138.005 | 141.883 | 144.232 | 145.783 | 146.275 | 147.135 | 147.358 | 146.992 | 146.585 |
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Vehicles, over time, for $920 beginning in 1984. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1984 | $920.00 | - |
| 1985 | $950.78 | 3.35% |
| 1986 | $991.41 | 4.27% |
| 1987 | $1,025.18 | 3.41% |
| 1988 | $1,044.30 | 1.87% |
| 1989 | $1,068.50 | 2.32% |
| 1990 | $1,088.22 | 1.85% |
| 1991 | $1,129.46 | 3.79% |
| 1992 | $1,158.14 | 2.54% |
| 1993 | $1,189.81 | 2.73% |
| 1994 | $1,233.44 | 3.67% |
| 1995 | $1,263.62 | 2.45% |
| 1996 | $1,288.12 | 1.94% |
| 1997 | $1,293.20 | 0.39% |
| 1998 | $1,285.73 | -0.58% |
| 1999 | $1,280.65 | -0.40% |
| 2000 | $1,279.75 | -0.07% |
| 2001 | $1,274.08 | -0.44% |
| 2002 | $1,254.95 | -1.50% |
| 2003 | $1,235.83 | -1.52% |
| 2004 | $1,228.66 | -0.58% |
| 2005 | $1,236.43 | 0.63% |
| 2006 | $1,233.44 | -0.24% |
| 2007 | $1,221.38 | -0.98% |
| 2008 | $1,202.91 | -1.51% |
| 2009 | $1,215.72 | 1.07% |
| 2010 | $1,237.07 | 1.76% |
| 2011 | $1,271.84 | 2.81% |
| 2012 | $1,292.89 | 1.66% |
| 2013 | $1,306.79 | 1.08% |
| 2014 | $1,311.20 | 0.34% |
| 2015 | $1,318.91 | 0.59% |
| 2016 | $1,320.91 | 0.15% |
| 2017 | $1,317.63 | -0.25% |
| 2018 | $1,313.98 | -0.28%* |