According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for alcoholic beverages away from home are 500.35% higher in 2024 versus 1978 (a $100.07 difference in value).
Between 1978 and 2024: Alcohol away from home experienced an average inflation rate of 3.97% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, alcohol away from home costing $20 in the year 1978 would cost $120.07 in 2024 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 3.47% during this same period, inflation for alcohol away from home was higher.
In the year 1978: Pricing changed by 5.25%, which is above the average yearly change for alcohol away from home during the 1978-2024 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1978 (7.63%), inflation for alcohol away from home was lower.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Alcohol away from home, over time, for $20 beginning in 1978. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1978 | $20.00 | 5.25% |
| 1979 | $21.68 | 8.38% |
| 1980 | $23.26 | 7.30% |
| 1981 | $25.29 | 8.75% |
| 1982 | $26.71 | 5.58% |
| 1983 | $28.00 | 4.85% |
| 1984 | $29.50 | 5.36% |
| 1985 | $31.20 | 5.74% |
| 1986 | $33.25 | 6.59% |
| 1987 | $34.63 | 4.15% |
| 1988 | $36.65 | 5.84% |
| 1989 | $38.57 | 5.22% |
| 1990 | $40.54 | 5.12% |
| 1991 | $44.05 | 8.65% |
| 1992 | $45.60 | 3.53% |
| 1993 | $46.99 | 3.05% |
| 1994 | $48.16 | 2.48% |
| 1995 | $49.54 | 2.87% |
| 1996 | $51.28 | 3.52% |
| 1997 | $53.16 | 3.67% |
| 1998 | $54.74 | 2.97% |
| 1999 | $56.41 | 3.03% |
| 2000 | $58.13 | 3.05% |
| 2001 | $60.40 | 3.90% |
| 2002 | $62.45 | 3.41% |
| 2003 | $64.17 | 2.75% |
| 2004 | $66.41 | 3.48% |
| 2005 | $68.63 | 3.35% |
| 2006 | $71.47 | 4.14% |
| 2007 | $74.65 | 4.45% |
| 2008 | $77.86 | 4.30% |
| 2009 | $80.15 | 2.94% |
| 2010 | $81.93 | 2.22% |
| 2011 | $84.45 | 3.08% |
| 2012 | $87.16 | 3.21% |
| 2013 | $89.23 | 2.37% |
| 2014 | $90.89 | 1.86% |
| 2015 | $92.77 | 2.07% |
| 2016 | $94.47 | 1.84% |
| 2017 | $96.40 | 2.04% |
| 2018 | $98.50 | 2.18% |
| 2019 | $99.69 | 1.21% |
| 2020 | $101.91 | 2.23% |
| 2021 | $104.80 | 2.83% |
| 2022 | $110.77 | 5.70% |
| 2023 | $117.43 | 6.01% |
| 2024 | $120.07 | 2.25%* |
* 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 Alcoholic beverages away from home:
| Year | 1977 | 1978 | 1979 | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 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 | 2024 |
| CPI | 67.700 | 71.254 | 77.223 | 82.862 | 90.115 | 95.146 | 99.762 | 105.108 | 111.138 | 118.462 | 123.377 | 130.585 | 137.400 | 144.431 | 156.923 | 162.462 | 167.415 | 171.569 | 176.492 | 182.700 | 189.408 | 195.038 | 200.954 | 207.085 | 215.169 | 222.508 | 228.631 | 236.585 | 244.515 | 254.638 | 265.969 | 277.394 | 285.550 | 291.892 | 300.886 | 310.539 | 317.910 | 323.813 | 330.513 | 336.583 | 343.459 | 350.931 | 355.164 | 363.080 | 373.354 | 394.646 | 418.358 | 427.774 |