According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for all items less food and shelter are 201.23% higher in 2024 versus 1981 (a $40.25 difference in value).
Between 1981 and 2024: All items less food and shelter experienced an average inflation rate of 2.60% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, all items less food and shelter costing $20 in the year 1981 would cost $60.25 in 2024 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.92% during this same period, inflation for all items less food and shelter was lower.
In the year 1981: Pricing changed by 10.37%, which is significantly above the average yearly change for all items less food and shelter during the 1981-2024 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1981 (10.33%), inflation for all items less food and shelter was higher.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for All items less food and shelter, over time, for $20 beginning in 1981. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 | $20.00 | 10.37% |
| 1982 | $21.25 | 6.27% |
| 1983 | $22.17 | 4.29% |
| 1984 | $23.09 | 4.17% |
| 1985 | $23.83 | 3.22% |
| 1986 | $23.88 | 0.21% |
| 1987 | $24.61 | 3.06% |
| 1988 | $25.53 | 3.71% |
| 1989 | $26.72 | 4.66% |
| 1990 | $28.13 | 5.29% |
| 1991 | $29.39 | 4.49% |
| 1992 | $30.39 | 3.39% |
| 1993 | $31.35 | 3.14% |
| 1994 | $32.11 | 2.43% |
| 1995 | $32.94 | 2.59% |
| 1996 | $33.82 | 2.69% |
| 1997 | $34.46 | 1.88% |
| 1998 | $34.62 | 0.47% |
| 1999 | $35.26 | 1.84% |
| 2000 | $36.58 | 3.75% |
| 2001 | $37.40 | 2.25% |
| 2002 | $37.51 | 0.29% |
| 2003 | $38.34 | 2.22% |
| 2004 | $39.29 | 2.48% |
| 2005 | $40.92 | 4.14% |
| 2006 | $42.29 | 3.36% |
| 2007 | $43.17 | 2.08% |
| 2008 | $44.99 | 4.22% |
| 2009 | $44.19 | -1.79% |
| 2010 | $45.57 | 3.13% |
| 2011 | $47.44 | 4.10% |
| 2012 | $48.33 | 1.89% |
| 2013 | $48.81 | 0.99% |
| 2014 | $49.16 | 0.71% |
| 2015 | $48.13 | -2.08% |
| 2016 | $48.23 | 0.20% |
| 2017 | $49.05 | 1.71% |
| 2018 | $50.11 | 2.15% |
| 2019 | $50.53 | 0.84% |
| 2020 | $50.48 | -0.10% |
| 2021 | $53.60 | 6.19% |
| 2022 | $58.33 | 8.83% |
| 2023 | $59.29 | 1.65% |
| 2024 | $60.25 | 1.61%* |
* 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 and shelter:
| 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 | 2024 |
| CPI | 35.815 | 37.323 | 39.054 | 40.931 | 42.885 | 43.969 | 45.508 | 50.054 | 54.669 | 58.515 | 62.292 | 65.900 | 72.408 | 81.731 | 90.208 | 95.862 | 99.977 | 104.146 | 107.500 | 107.723 | 111.015 | 115.138 | 120.500 | 126.877 | 132.577 | 137.077 | 141.385 | 144.823 | 148.569 | 152.562 | 155.431 | 156.162 | 159.031 | 164.992 | 168.700 | 169.185 | 172.938 | 177.231 | 184.562 | 190.754 | 194.722 | 202.931 | 199.303 | 205.531 | 213.961 | 217.997 | 220.151 | 221.720 | 217.103 | 217.528 | 221.248 | 225.999 | 227.903 | 227.673 | 241.760 | 263.098 | 267.435 | 271.733 |