According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for alcoholic beverages away from home are 136.50% higher in 2026 versus 1997 (a $27.30 difference in value).
Between 1997 and 2026:Alcohol away from home experienced an average inflation rate of 3.01% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, alcohol away from home costing $20 in the year 1997 would cost $47.30 in 2026 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.45% during this same period, inflation for alcohol away from home was higher.
In the year 1997: Pricing changed by 3.67%, which is above the average yearly change for alcohol away from home during the 1997-2026 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1997 (2.34%), inflation for alcohol away from home was higher.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Alcohol away from home, over time, for $20 beginning in 1997. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | $20.00 | 3.67% |
| 1998 | $20.59 | 2.97% |
| 1999 | $21.22 | 3.03% |
| 2000 | $21.87 | 3.05% |
| 2001 | $22.72 | 3.90% |
| 2002 | $23.50 | 3.41% |
| 2003 | $24.14 | 2.75% |
| 2004 | $24.98 | 3.48% |
| 2005 | $25.82 | 3.35% |
| 2006 | $26.89 | 4.14% |
| 2007 | $28.08 | 4.45% |
| 2008 | $29.29 | 4.30% |
| 2009 | $30.15 | 2.94% |
| 2010 | $30.82 | 2.22% |
| 2011 | $31.77 | 3.08% |
| 2012 | $32.79 | 3.21% |
| 2013 | $33.57 | 2.37% |
| 2014 | $34.19 | 1.86% |
| 2015 | $34.90 | 2.07% |
| 2016 | $35.54 | 1.84% |
| 2017 | $36.27 | 2.04% |
| 2018 | $37.06 | 2.18% |
| 2019 | $37.50 | 1.21% |
| 2020 | $38.34 | 2.23% |
| 2021 | $39.42 | 2.83% |
| 2022 | $41.67 | 5.70% |
| 2023 | $44.18 | 6.01% |
| 2024 | $45.31 | 2.56% |
| 2025 | $46.68 | 3.04% |
| 2026 | $47.30 | 1.32%* |
* 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 | 2025 | 2026 |
| CPI | 67.700 | 71.250 | 77.225 | 82.858 | 90.117 | 95.142 | 99.758 | 105.108 | 111.142 | 118.458 | 123.375 | 130.583 | 137.400 | 144.433 | 156.925 | 162.458 | 167.417 | 171.567 | 176.492 | 182.700 | 189.408 | 195.042 | 200.950 | 207.083 | 215.167 | 222.508 | 228.633 | 236.583 | 244.517 | 254.642 | 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 | 429.065 | 442.120 | 447.946 |