According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for fresh cakes and cupcakes are 502.97% higher in 2026 versus 1978 (a $100.59 difference in value).
Between 1978 and 2026:Fresh cakes and cupcakes experienced an average inflation rate of 3.81% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, fresh cakes and cupcakes costing $20 in the year 1978 would cost $120.59 in 2026 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 3.40% during this same period, inflation for fresh cakes and cupcakes was higher.
In the year 1978: Pricing changed by 4.32%, which is above the average yearly change for fresh cakes and cupcakes during the 1978-2026 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1978 (7.63%), inflation for fresh cakes and cupcakes was much lower.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Fresh cakes and cupcakes, 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 | 4.32% |
| 1979 | $21.95 | 9.75% |
| 1980 | $24.58 | 12.00% |
| 1981 | $27.29 | 11.01% |
| 1982 | $28.59 | 4.75% |
| 1983 | $29.79 | 4.19% |
| 1984 | $31.36 | 5.27% |
| 1985 | $32.69 | 4.27% |
| 1986 | $33.43 | 2.25% |
| 1987 | $34.71 | 3.82% |
| 1988 | $36.75 | 5.87% |
| 1989 | $38.84 | 5.70% |
| 1990 | $41.30 | 6.33% |
| 1991 | $43.40 | 5.09% |
| 1992 | $44.38 | 2.26% |
| 1993 | $46.41 | 4.57% |
| 1994 | $47.85 | 3.10% |
| 1995 | $50.19 | 4.90% |
| 1996 | $51.78 | 3.17% |
| 1997 | $53.17 | 2.68% |
| 1998 | $53.64 | 0.88% |
| 1999 | $54.94 | 2.43% |
| 2000 | $56.24 | 2.37% |
| 2001 | $58.08 | 3.27% |
| 2002 | $59.28 | 2.07% |
| 2003 | $61.17 | 3.18% |
| 2004 | $62.41 | 2.03% |
| 2005 | $63.92 | 2.42% |
| 2006 | $64.92 | 1.56% |
| 2007 | $67.53 | 4.03% |
| 2008 | $73.93 | 9.47% |
| 2009 | $76.79 | 3.86% |
| 2010 | $77.01 | 0.29% |
| 2011 | $79.50 | 3.23% |
| 2012 | $82.63 | 3.94% |
| 2013 | $83.93 | 1.58% |
| 2014 | $84.93 | 1.19% |
| 2015 | $87.40 | 2.90% |
| 2016 | $89.38 | 2.27% |
| 2017 | $90.63 | 1.39% |
| 2018 | $92.65 | 2.23% |
| 2019 | $94.83 | 2.35% |
| 2020 | $94.00 | -0.87% |
| 2021 | $96.81 | 2.98% |
| 2022 | $107.78 | 11.34% |
| 2023 | $116.66 | 8.24% |
| 2024 | $117.21 | 0.47% |
| 2025 | $119.33 | 1.81% |
| 2026 | $120.59 | 1.06%* |
* 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 Fresh cakes and cupcakes:
| 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 | 2025 | 2026 |
| CPI | 64.100 | 66.867 | 73.383 | 82.192 | 91.242 | 95.575 | 99.583 | 104.833 | 109.308 | 111.767 | 116.042 | 122.858 | 129.858 | 138.083 | 145.108 | 148.383 | 155.158 | 159.967 | 167.800 | 173.125 | 177.767 | 179.333 | 183.683 | 188.033 | 194.183 | 198.208 | 204.508 | 208.658 | 213.700 | 217.033 | 225.784 | 247.176 | 256.729 | 257.470 | 265.787 | 276.260 | 280.616 | 283.951 | 292.195 | 298.837 | 302.991 | 309.761 | 317.046 | 314.286 | 323.652 | 360.346 | 390.044 | 391.859 | 398.951 | 403.186 |