According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for all items less food, shelter, and energy were 221.06% higher in 2021 versus 1979 (a $44.21 difference in value).
Between 1979 and 2021: All items less food, shelter, and energy experienced an average inflation rate of 2.82% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, all items less food, shelter, and energy costing $20 in the year 1979 would cost $64.21 in 2021 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 3.11% during this same period, inflation for all items less food, shelter, and energy was lower.
In the year 1979: Pricing changed by 6.96%, which is significantly above the average yearly change for all items less food, shelter, and energy during the 1979-2021 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1979 (11.26%), inflation for all items less food, shelter, and energy was much lower.
Raw Consumer Price Index data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for All items less food, shelter, and energy:
| Year | 1967 | 1968 | 1969 | 1970 | 1971 | 1972 | 1973 | 1974 | 1975 | 1976 | 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 |
| CPI | 38.692 | 40.483 | 42.425 | 44.592 | 46.783 | 47.892 | 49.333 | 53.092 | 57.817 | 61.917 | 65.625 | 69.308 | 74.133 | 80.633 | 88.267 | 95.042 | 100.000 | 105.017 | 109.033 | 112.750 | 117.008 | 121.858 | 127.333 | 133.467 | 140.367 | 145.733 | 150.792 | 154.892 | 159.317 | 163.175 | 166.408 | 169.183 | 171.875 | 175.192 | 178.683 | 181.125 | 182.583 | 184.617 | 188.092 | 191.583 | 194.205 | 198.349 | 202.627 | 206.566 | 210.501 | 214.873 | 217.814 | 219.947 | 222.025 | 225.035 | 226.769 | 229.676 | 232.768 | 235.463 | 238.009 |
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for All items less food, shelter, and energy, over time, for $20 beginning in 1979. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1979 | $20.00 | 6.96% |
| 1980 | $21.75 | 8.77% |
| 1981 | $23.81 | 9.47% |
| 1982 | $25.64 | 7.68% |
| 1983 | $26.98 | 5.22% |
| 1984 | $28.33 | 5.02% |
| 1985 | $29.42 | 3.82% |
| 1986 | $30.42 | 3.41% |
| 1987 | $31.57 | 3.78% |
| 1988 | $32.88 | 4.15% |
| 1989 | $34.35 | 4.49% |
| 1990 | $36.01 | 4.82% |
| 1991 | $37.87 | 5.17% |
| 1992 | $39.32 | 3.82% |
| 1993 | $40.68 | 3.47% |
| 1994 | $41.79 | 2.72% |
| 1995 | $42.98 | 2.86% |
| 1996 | $44.02 | 2.42% |
| 1997 | $44.89 | 1.98% |
| 1998 | $45.64 | 1.67% |
| 1999 | $46.37 | 1.59% |
| 2000 | $47.26 | 1.93% |
| 2001 | $48.21 | 1.99% |
| 2002 | $48.86 | 1.37% |
| 2003 | $49.26 | 0.81% |
| 2004 | $49.81 | 1.11% |
| 2005 | $50.74 | 1.88% |
| 2006 | $51.69 | 1.86% |
| 2007 | $52.39 | 1.37% |
| 2008 | $53.51 | 2.13% |
| 2009 | $54.67 | 2.16% |
| 2010 | $55.73 | 1.94% |
| 2011 | $56.79 | 1.91% |
| 2012 | $57.97 | 2.08% |
| 2013 | $58.76 | 1.37% |
| 2014 | $59.34 | 0.98% |
| 2015 | $59.90 | 0.94% |
| 2016 | $60.71 | 1.36% |
| 2017 | $61.18 | 0.77% |
| 2018 | $61.96 | 1.28% |
| 2019 | $62.80 | 1.35% |
| 2020 | $63.52 | 1.16% |
| 2021 | $64.21 | 1.08%* |