Inflation Calculator
U.S. Inflation Rate, 1999-2018 ($1)
The consumer price index (CPI) in 1999 was 166.6. the Bureau of Labor Statistics uses this CPI value to track inflation on a monthly basis.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics consumer price index, the dollar experienced an average inflation rate of 2.12% per year. Prices in 2018 are 49.0% higher than prices in 1999.
In other words, $1 in the year 1999 is equivalent in purchasing power to $1.49 in 2018, a difference of $0.49 over 19 years.
The current inflation rate in 2018 is 1.72%1. If this number holds, $1 today will be equivalent to $1.02 next year.
| Cumulative price change | 49.00% |
| Average inflation rate | 2.12% |
| Price difference ($1 base) | $0.49 |
| CPI in 1999 | 166.6 |
| CPI in 2018 | 248.991 |
Inflation rates for specific categories
Frankfurters · Educational books and supplies · Hospital services · More
How to calculate the inflation rate for $1 since 1999
Start with the inflation rate formula:CPI in 2018 / CPI in 1999 * 1999 USD value = 2018 USD value
Then plug in historical CPI values. The U.S. CPI was 166.6 in the year 1999 and 248.991 in 2018:
248.991 / 166.6 * $1 = $1.49
$1 in 1999 has the same "purchasing power" as $1.49 in 2018.
News headlines from 1999
Politics and news often influence economic performance. Here's what was happening at the time:
- NATO begins its bombardment of Yugoslavia in the Kosovo War marking the first time NATO attacked a sovereign country.
- 13 killed, 24 injured in the Columbine High School Massacre.
- Slobodan Milosevic and four others are indicted by the International Criminal Tribunal for former Yugoslavia, for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Kosovo.
Inflation Data Source
Raw data for these calculations comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Consumer Price Index (CPI), established in 1913. Inflation data from 1665 to 1912 is sourced from a historical study conducted by political science professor Robert Sahr at Oregon State University.
You may use the following MLA citation for this page: “Inflation Rate in 1999 | Inflation Calculator.” FinanceRef Inflation Calculator, Alioth Finance, 19 Apr. 2018, http://www.in2013dollars.com/inflation-rate-in-1999.