According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for hospital services are 334.11% higher in 2026 versus 1997 (a $1,670.57 difference in value).
Between 1997 and 2026:Hospital services experienced an average inflation rate of 5.19% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, hospital services costing $500 in the year 1997 would cost $2,170.57 in 2026 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.45% during this same period, inflation for hospital services was higher.
In the year 1997: Pricing changed by 1.69%, which is significantly below the average yearly change for hospital services during the 1997-2026 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1997 (2.34%), inflation for hospital services was lower.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Hospital services, over time, for $500 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 | $500.00 | 1.69% |
| 1998 | $516.02 | 3.20% |
| 1999 | $537.53 | 4.17% |
| 2000 | $569.78 | 6.00% |
| 2001 | $607.88 | 6.69% |
| 2002 | $662.26 | 8.94% |
| 2003 | $711.59 | 7.45% |
| 2004 | $754.08 | 5.97% |
| 2005 | $794.39 | 5.35% |
| 2006 | $846.35 | 6.54% |
| 2007 | $902.49 | 6.63% |
| 2008 | $969.53 | 7.43% |
| 2009 | $1,036.13 | 6.87% |
| 2010 | $1,117.23 | 7.83% |
| 2011 | $1,186.00 | 6.16% |
| 2012 | $1,246.72 | 5.12% |
| 2013 | $1,305.16 | 4.69% |
| 2014 | $1,370.58 | 5.01% |
| 2015 | $1,426.53 | 4.08% |
| 2016 | $1,491.08 | 4.53% |
| 2017 | $1,564.38 | 4.92% |
| 2018 | $1,633.55 | 4.42% |
| 2019 | $1,665.89 | 1.98% |
| 2020 | $1,735.40 | 4.17% |
| 2021 | $1,787.43 | 3.00% |
| 2022 | $1,852.75 | 3.65% |
| 2023 | $1,927.99 | 4.06% |
| 2024 | $2,038.78 | 5.75% |
| 2025 | $2,128.74 | 4.41% |
| 2026 | $2,170.57 | 1.96%* |
* 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 services:
| Year | 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 | 100.000 | 101.692 | 104.950 | 109.325 | 115.883 | 123.633 | 134.692 | 144.725 | 153.367 | 161.567 | 172.133 | 183.551 | 197.186 | 210.731 | 227.227 | 241.213 | 253.563 | 265.448 | 278.753 | 290.132 | 303.260 | 318.170 | 332.237 | 338.814 | 352.952 | 363.533 | 376.819 | 392.120 | 414.655 | 432.951 | 441.457 |