According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for hospital and related services are 1,874.65% higher in 2024 versus 1978 (a $374.93 difference in value).
Between 1978 and 2024: Hospital and related services experienced an average inflation rate of 6.70% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, hospital and related services costing $20 in the year 1978 would cost $394.93 in 2024 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 3.47% during this same period, inflation for hospital and related services was significantly higher.
In the year 1978: Pricing changed by 6.33%, which is below the average yearly change for hospital and related services during the 1978-2024 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1978 (7.63%), inflation for hospital and related services was lower.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Hospital and related services, 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 | 6.33% |
| 1979 | $22.15 | 10.74% |
| 1980 | $25.13 | 13.47% |
| 1981 | $28.72 | 14.27% |
| 1982 | $32.78 | 14.14% |
| 1983 | $36.51 | 11.37% |
| 1984 | $39.66 | 8.63% |
| 1985 | $42.17 | 6.35% |
| 1986 | $44.70 | 5.99% |
| 1987 | $47.80 | 6.94% |
| 1988 | $52.27 | 9.34% |
| 1989 | $58.28 | 11.50% |
| 1990 | $64.64 | 10.91% |
| 1991 | $71.21 | 10.16% |
| 1992 | $77.71 | 9.14% |
| 1993 | $84.22 | 8.37% |
| 1994 | $89.19 | 5.90% |
| 1995 | $93.60 | 4.95% |
| 1996 | $97.86 | 4.55% |
| 1997 | $101.11 | 3.32% |
| 1998 | $104.41 | 3.26% |
| 1999 | $108.75 | 4.17% |
| 2000 | $115.22 | 5.95% |
| 2001 | $122.84 | 6.61% |
| 2002 | $133.54 | 8.71% |
| 2003 | $143.36 | 7.35% |
| 2004 | $151.75 | 5.85% |
| 2005 | $159.73 | 5.26% |
| 2006 | $169.98 | 6.41% |
| 2007 | $181.17 | 6.59% |
| 2008 | $193.89 | 7.02% |
| 2009 | $206.21 | 6.35% |
| 2010 | $220.67 | 7.01% |
| 2011 | $232.94 | 5.56% |
| 2012 | $244.05 | 4.77% |
| 2013 | $254.68 | 4.35% |
| 2014 | $266.48 | 4.63% |
| 2015 | $276.65 | 3.82% |
| 2016 | $288.73 | 4.37% |
| 2017 | $302.01 | 4.60% |
| 2018 | $314.81 | 4.24% |
| 2019 | $321.43 | 2.10% |
| 2020 | $334.47 | 4.06% |
| 2021 | $344.97 | 3.14% |
| 2022 | $357.88 | 3.74% |
| 2023 | $373.30 | 4.31% |
| 2024 | $394.93 | 5.79%* |
* 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 Hospital and related services:
| 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 | 51.800 | 55.077 | 60.992 | 69.208 | 79.085 | 90.269 | 100.531 | 109.208 | 116.138 | 123.100 | 131.646 | 143.938 | 160.485 | 178.000 | 196.092 | 214.008 | 231.923 | 245.608 | 257.769 | 269.492 | 278.431 | 287.515 | 299.492 | 317.308 | 338.292 | 367.762 | 394.800 | 417.900 | 439.877 | 468.092 | 498.922 | 533.953 | 567.879 | 607.679 | 641.488 | 672.078 | 701.344 | 733.841 | 761.853 | 795.127 | 831.696 | 866.942 | 885.160 | 921.079 | 950.005 | 985.537 | 1028.019 | 1087.575 |