According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for all items less food, shelter, energy, and used cars and trucks were 392.42% higher in 2021 versus 1972 (a $78.48 difference in value).
Between 1972 and 2021: All items less food, shelter, energy, and used cars and trucks experienced an average inflation rate of 3.31% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, all items less food, shelter, energy, and used cars and trucks costing $20 in the year 1972 would cost $98.48 in 2021 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 3.81% during this same period, inflation for all items less food, shelter, energy, and used cars and trucks was lower.
In the year 1972: Pricing changed by 2.47%, which is below the average yearly change for all items less food, shelter, energy, and used cars and trucks during the 1972-2021 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1972 (3.27%), inflation for all items less food, shelter, energy, and used cars and trucks was lower.
Raw Consumer Price Index data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for All items less food, shelter, energy, and used cars and trucks:
| 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 | 39.569 | 41.408 | 43.500 | 45.800 | 48.046 | 49.231 | 50.631 | 54.562 | 59.177 | 63.123 | 66.838 | 70.623 | 75.477 | 82.408 | 89.392 | 95.631 | 100.131 | 104.223 | 108.538 | 113.085 | 117.623 | 122.577 | 128.138 | 134.585 | 141.685 | 147.092 | 152.000 | 156.015 | 160.169 | 164.138 | 167.654 | 170.500 | 173.300 | 176.562 | 180.100 | 183.031 | 185.085 | 187.769 | 191.069 | 194.731 | 197.752 | 202.263 | 207.226 | 210.374 | 214.162 | 218.730 | 221.881 | 224.198 | 226.504 | 229.933 | 232.190 | 235.284 | 238.497 | 240.940 | 242.424 |
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for All items less food, shelter, energy, and used cars and trucks, over time, for $20 beginning in 1972. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1972 | $20.00 | 2.47% |
| 1973 | $20.57 | 2.84% |
| 1974 | $22.17 | 7.76% |
| 1975 | $24.04 | 8.46% |
| 1976 | $25.64 | 6.67% |
| 1977 | $27.15 | 5.89% |
| 1978 | $28.69 | 5.66% |
| 1979 | $30.66 | 6.87% |
| 1980 | $33.48 | 9.18% |
| 1981 | $36.32 | 8.48% |
| 1982 | $38.85 | 6.98% |
| 1983 | $40.68 | 4.71% |
| 1984 | $42.34 | 4.09% |
| 1985 | $44.09 | 4.14% |
| 1986 | $45.94 | 4.19% |
| 1987 | $47.78 | 4.01% |
| 1988 | $49.80 | 4.21% |
| 1989 | $52.06 | 4.54% |
| 1990 | $54.68 | 5.03% |
| 1991 | $57.56 | 5.28% |
| 1992 | $59.76 | 3.82% |
| 1993 | $61.75 | 3.34% |
| 1994 | $63.38 | 2.64% |
| 1995 | $65.07 | 2.66% |
| 1996 | $66.68 | 2.48% |
| 1997 | $68.11 | 2.14% |
| 1998 | $69.27 | 1.70% |
| 1999 | $70.40 | 1.64% |
| 2000 | $71.73 | 1.88% |
| 2001 | $73.17 | 2.00% |
| 2002 | $74.36 | 1.63% |
| 2003 | $75.19 | 1.12% |
| 2004 | $76.28 | 1.45% |
| 2005 | $77.62 | 1.76% |
| 2006 | $79.11 | 1.92% |
| 2007 | $80.34 | 1.55% |
| 2008 | $82.17 | 2.28% |
| 2009 | $84.19 | 2.45% |
| 2010 | $85.46 | 1.52% |
| 2011 | $87.00 | 1.80% |
| 2012 | $88.86 | 2.13% |
| 2013 | $90.14 | 1.44% |
| 2014 | $91.08 | 1.04% |
| 2015 | $92.02 | 1.03% |
| 2016 | $93.41 | 1.51% |
| 2017 | $94.33 | 0.98% |
| 2018 | $95.58 | 1.33% |
| 2019 | $96.89 | 1.37% |
| 2020 | $97.88 | 1.02% |
| 2021 | $98.48 | 0.62%* |