According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for boys' apparel are 44.42% higher in 2024 versus 1978 (a $8.88 difference in value).
Between 1978 and 2024: Boys' apparel experienced an average inflation rate of 0.80% per year. In other words, boys' apparel costing $20 in the year 1978 would cost $28.88 in 2024 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 3.47% during this same period, inflation for boys' apparel was lower.
In the year 1978: Pricing changed by -1.11%, which is below the average yearly change for boys' apparel during the 1978-2024 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1978 (7.63%), inflation for boys' apparel was much lower.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Boys' apparel, over time, for $20 beginning in 1978. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1978 | $20.00 | -1.11% |
| 1979 | $20.92 | 4.59% |
| 1980 | $22.20 | 6.11% |
| 1981 | $23.32 | 5.05% |
| 1982 | $24.01 | 2.96% |
| 1983 | $24.86 | 3.57% |
| 1984 | $25.30 | 1.74% |
| 1985 | $25.92 | 2.44% |
| 1986 | $26.01 | 0.35% |
| 1987 | $25.69 | -1.21% |
| 1988 | $26.45 | 2.95% |
| 1989 | $26.70 | 0.93% |
| 1990 | $26.95 | 0.95% |
| 1991 | $27.83 | 3.28% |
| 1992 | $28.63 | 2.86% |
| 1993 | $29.08 | 1.57% |
| 1994 | $28.53 | -1.90% |
| 1995 | $28.93 | 1.42% |
| 1996 | $28.71 | -0.78% |
| 1997 | $29.09 | 1.32% |
| 1998 | $29.48 | 1.35% |
| 1999 | $29.03 | -1.51% |
| 2000 | $28.73 | -1.06% |
| 2001 | $27.91 | -2.83% |
| 2002 | $26.44 | -5.28% |
| 2003 | $25.37 | -4.05% |
| 2004 | $25.36 | -0.04% |
| 2005 | $23.97 | -5.47% |
| 2006 | $23.16 | -3.38% |
| 2007 | $22.67 | -2.12% |
| 2008 | $23.11 | 1.94% |
| 2009 | $23.53 | 1.83% |
| 2010 | $22.63 | -3.85% |
| 2011 | $23.72 | 4.81% |
| 2012 | $25.09 | 5.80% |
| 2013 | $25.37 | 1.12% |
| 2014 | $25.69 | 1.25% |
| 2015 | $25.48 | -0.83% |
| 2016 | $25.67 | 0.77% |
| 2017 | $24.93 | -2.88% |
| 2018 | $26.38 | 5.82% |
| 2019 | $27.21 | 3.11% |
| 2020 | $25.02 | -8.04% |
| 2021 | $26.16 | 4.56% |
| 2022 | $27.27 | 4.26% |
| 2023 | $28.06 | 2.90% |
| 2024 | $28.88 | 2.92%* |
* 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 Boys' apparel:
| Year | 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 | 81.800 | 80.892 | 84.608 | 89.777 | 94.308 | 97.100 | 100.569 | 102.323 | 104.823 | 105.192 | 103.923 | 106.985 | 107.977 | 109.000 | 112.577 | 115.800 | 117.615 | 115.385 | 117.023 | 116.108 | 117.638 | 119.231 | 117.431 | 116.185 | 112.900 | 106.938 | 102.608 | 102.569 | 96.954 | 93.677 | 91.687 | 93.468 | 95.182 | 91.518 | 95.922 | 101.481 | 102.619 | 103.905 | 103.046 | 103.835 | 100.843 | 106.711 | 110.034 | 101.189 | 105.808 | 110.313 | 113.506 | 116.822 |