San Diego price inflation, 2003→2018

Inflation in California

Prices in San Diego, 2003-2018 ($20)

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices in San Diego, California were 62.33% higher in 2018 versus 2003 (a $12.47 difference in value).

Between 2003 and 2018: San Diego experienced an average inflation rate of 3.28% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, $20 in San Diego in the year 2003 would cost $32.47 in 2018 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.10% during this same period, inflation in San Diego was higher.

In the year 2003: Pricing changed by 6.93%, which is significantly above the average yearly change in San Diego during the 2003-2018 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 2003 (2.27%), inflation in San Diego was much higher.

Price Inflation in San Diego, California since 1984

Consumer Price Index, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Years with the largest changes in pricing: 1985 (10.84%), 2023 (9.72%), and 2001 (8.15%).

View price changes for other categories
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Buying power of $20.00 since 2003

Below are calculations of equivalent buying power in San Diego, over time, for $20 beginning in 2003. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:

Year	USD Value	Inflation Rate
2003	$20.00	6.93%
2004	$21.09	5.43%
2005	$21.86	3.67%
2006	$22.66	3.66%
2007	$23.49	3.67%
2008	$24.55	4.49%
2009	$25.13	2.37%
2010	$25.12	-0.02%
2011	$25.34	0.86%
2012	$25.95	2.40%
2013	$26.50	2.13%
2014	$27.02	1.97%
2015	$28.08	3.92%
2016	$29.20	4.00%
2017	$30.78	5.41%
2018	$32.47	5.47%
2019	$33.62	3.56%
2020	$34.58	2.85%
2021	$35.34	2.19%
2022	$37.70	6.68%
2023	$41.36	9.72%*

* Not final. See inflation summary for latest details.
** Extended periods of 0% inflation usually indicate incomplete underlying data. This can manifest as a sharp increase in inflation later on.

Raw Consumer Price Index data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for San Diego, California:

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	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023
CPI	108.900	120.700	129.900	134.900	139.500	144.600	150.900	153.600	154.700	153.400	153.000	153.900	156.000	159.800	167.700	178.700	190.300	205.800	222.200	237.600	250.500	259.700	269.200	279.078	291.598	298.517	298.462	301.030	308.267	314.839	321.037	333.606	346.938	365.707	385.694	399.426	410.829	419.819	447.869	491.385

Adjust San Diego prices for inflation

Start with the inflation rate formula:

CPI in 2018 / CPI in 2003 * 2003 USD value = 2018 USD value

Then plug in historical CPI values from above. The CPI for San Diego, California was 237.600 in the year 2003 and 385.694 in 2018:

385.694 / 237.600 * $20 = $32.47

Therefore, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, $20 in 2003 has the same "purchasing power" as $32.47 in 2018 (in the CPI category of San Diego, California).

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics began tracking the Consumer Price Index for San Diego, California in 1984. In addition to San Diego, the index produces monthly data on changes in prices paid by urban consumers for a variety of goods and services.