According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for all items less food, shelter, and energy are 261.86% higher in 2023 versus 1979 (a $52.37 difference in value).
Between 1979 and 2023: All items less food, shelter, and energy experienced an average inflation rate of 2.97% 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 $72.37 in 2023 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 3.31% during this same period, inflation for all items less food, shelter, and energy was lower.
In the year 1979: Pricing changed by 6.92%, which is significantly above the average yearly change for all items less food, shelter, and energy during the 1979-2023 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1979 (11.26%), inflation for all items less food, shelter, and energy was much lower.
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 | 6.92% |
| 1980 | $21.76 | 8.78% |
| 1981 | $23.82 | 9.50% |
| 1982 | $25.64 | 7.64% |
| 1983 | $26.98 | 5.21% |
| 1984 | $28.32 | 4.97% |
| 1985 | $29.41 | 3.84% |
| 1986 | $30.41 | 3.39% |
| 1987 | $31.56 | 3.80% |
| 1988 | $32.88 | 4.18% |
| 1989 | $34.35 | 4.48% |
| 1990 | $36.02 | 4.85% |
| 1991 | $37.87 | 5.15% |
| 1992 | $39.33 | 3.85% |
| 1993 | $40.68 | 3.45% |
| 1994 | $41.80 | 2.73% |
| 1995 | $42.98 | 2.85% |
| 1996 | $44.03 | 2.43% |
| 1997 | $44.90 | 1.98% |
| 1998 | $45.65 | 1.66% |
| 1999 | $46.39 | 1.62% |
| 2000 | $47.27 | 1.90% |
| 2001 | $48.21 | 2.00% |
| 2002 | $48.87 | 1.36% |
| 2003 | $49.27 | 0.81% |
| 2004 | $49.82 | 1.11% |
| 2005 | $50.75 | 1.88% |
| 2006 | $51.69 | 1.85% |
| 2007 | $52.40 | 1.37% |
| 2008 | $53.52 | 2.14% |
| 2009 | $54.67 | 2.15% |
| 2010 | $55.74 | 1.94% |
| 2011 | $56.80 | 1.91% |
| 2012 | $57.98 | 2.07% |
| 2013 | $58.77 | 1.37% |
| 2014 | $59.34 | 0.98% |
| 2015 | $59.90 | 0.94% |
| 2016 | $60.72 | 1.36% |
| 2017 | $61.19 | 0.77% |
| 2018 | $61.97 | 1.28% |
| 2019 | $62.81 | 1.35% |
| 2020 | $63.53 | 1.15% |
| 2021 | $66.21 | 4.22% |
| 2022 | $70.41 | 6.34% |
| 2023 | $72.37 | 2.78%* |
* 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 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 | 2022 | 2023 |
| CPI | 38.692 | 40.492 | 42.431 | 44.600 | 46.785 | 47.915 | 49.338 | 53.092 | 57.831 | 61.900 | 65.615 | 69.323 | 74.123 | 80.631 | 88.292 | 95.038 | 99.992 | 104.962 | 108.992 | 112.692 | 116.969 | 121.862 | 127.323 | 133.492 | 140.362 | 145.762 | 150.785 | 154.900 | 159.308 | 163.177 | 166.400 | 169.169 | 171.915 | 175.185 | 178.685 | 181.123 | 182.592 | 184.623 | 188.100 | 191.585 | 194.205 | 198.353 | 202.626 | 206.565 | 210.502 | 214.869 | 217.804 | 219.936 | 222.007 | 225.035 | 226.771 | 229.676 | 232.769 | 235.456 | 245.397 | 260.963 | 268.224 |