According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for all items less food and shelter are 158.87% higher in 2026 versus 1985 (a $31.77 difference in value).
Between 1985 and 2026:All items less food and shelter experienced an average inflation rate of 2.35% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, all items less food and shelter costing $20 in the year 1985 would cost $51.77 in 2026 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.73% during this same period, inflation for all items less food and shelter was lower.
In the year 1985: Pricing changed by 3.22%, which is above the average yearly change for all items less food and shelter during the 1985-2026 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1985 (3.55%), inflation for all items less food and shelter was lower.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for All items less food and shelter, over time, for $20 beginning in 1985. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | $20.00 | 3.22% |
| 1986 | $20.04 | 0.21% |
| 1987 | $20.65 | 3.06% |
| 1988 | $21.42 | 3.72% |
| 1989 | $22.42 | 4.65% |
| 1990 | $23.60 | 5.29% |
| 1991 | $24.67 | 4.49% |
| 1992 | $25.50 | 3.39% |
| 1993 | $26.30 | 3.14% |
| 1994 | $26.94 | 2.43% |
| 1995 | $27.64 | 2.58% |
| 1996 | $28.38 | 2.69% |
| 1997 | $28.92 | 1.88% |
| 1998 | $29.05 | 0.47% |
| 1999 | $29.59 | 1.84% |
| 2000 | $30.70 | 3.75% |
| 2001 | $31.39 | 2.25% |
| 2002 | $31.48 | 0.29% |
| 2003 | $32.18 | 2.22% |
| 2004 | $32.97 | 2.48% |
| 2005 | $34.34 | 4.13% |
| 2006 | $35.49 | 3.35% |
| 2007 | $36.23 | 2.08% |
| 2008 | $37.75 | 4.22% |
| 2009 | $37.08 | -1.79% |
| 2010 | $38.24 | 3.13% |
| 2011 | $39.81 | 4.10% |
| 2012 | $40.56 | 1.89% |
| 2013 | $40.96 | 0.99% |
| 2014 | $41.25 | 0.71% |
| 2015 | $40.39 | -2.08% |
| 2016 | $40.47 | 0.20% |
| 2017 | $41.16 | 1.71% |
| 2018 | $42.05 | 2.15% |
| 2019 | $42.40 | 0.84% |
| 2020 | $42.36 | -0.10% |
| 2021 | $44.98 | 6.19% |
| 2022 | $48.95 | 8.83% |
| 2023 | $49.76 | 1.65% |
| 2024 | $50.54 | 1.58% |
| 2025 | $51.51 | 1.92% |
| 2026 | $51.77 | 0.50%* |
* 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 | 2025 | 2026 |
| CPI | 35.817 | 37.325 | 39.058 | 40.933 | 42.883 | 43.967 | 45.508 | 50.050 | 54.667 | 58.517 | 62.292 | 65.900 | 72.408 | 81.733 | 90.208 | 95.858 | 99.975 | 104.150 | 107.500 | 107.725 | 111.017 | 115.142 | 120.500 | 126.875 | 132.575 | 137.075 | 141.383 | 144.825 | 148.567 | 152.558 | 155.433 | 156.158 | 159.033 | 164.992 | 168.700 | 169.183 | 172.942 | 177.233 | 184.558 | 190.750 | 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 | 271.668 | 276.891 | 278.288 |