According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for fresh cakes and cupcakes are 131.88% higher in 2026 versus 1997 (a $26.38 difference in value).
Between 1997 and 2026, Fresh cakes and cupcakes experienced an average inflation rate of 2.94% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, fresh cakes and cupcakes costing $20 in the year 1997 would cost $46.38 in 2026 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.54% during this same period, inflation for fresh cakes and cupcakes was higher.
In the year 1997: Pricing changed by 2.68%, which is below the average yearly change for fresh cakes and cupcakes during the 1997-2026 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1997 (2.34%), inflation for fresh cakes and cupcakes was higher.
The official rate is based on an average household's spending, so your own inflation rate is probably different. The personal inflation calculator works it out from your budget.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Fresh cakes and cupcakes, over time, for $20 beginning in 1997. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | $20.00 | 2.68% |
| 1998 | $20.18 | 0.88% |
| 1999 | $20.67 | 2.43% |
| 2000 | $21.16 | 2.37% |
| 2001 | $21.85 | 3.27% |
| 2002 | $22.30 | 2.07% |
| 2003 | $23.01 | 3.18% |
| 2004 | $23.48 | 2.03% |
| 2005 | $24.04 | 2.42% |
| 2006 | $24.42 | 1.56% |
| 2007 | $25.40 | 4.03% |
| 2008 | $27.81 | 9.47% |
| 2009 | $28.88 | 3.86% |
| 2010 | $28.97 | 0.29% |
| 2011 | $29.90 | 3.23% |
| 2012 | $31.08 | 3.94% |
| 2013 | $31.57 | 1.58% |
| 2014 | $31.95 | 1.19% |
| 2015 | $32.87 | 2.90% |
| 2016 | $33.62 | 2.27% |
| 2017 | $34.09 | 1.39% |
| 2018 | $34.85 | 2.23% |
| 2019 | $35.67 | 2.35% |
| 2020 | $35.36 | -0.87% |
| 2021 | $36.41 | 2.98% |
| 2022 | $40.54 | 11.34% |
| 2023 | $43.88 | 8.24% |
| 2024 | $44.09 | 0.47% |
| 2025 | $44.94 | 1.93% |
| 2026 | $46.38 | 3.20%* |
* 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 | 399.440 | 412.213 |