According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for men's pants and shorts are 33.85% higher in 2025 versus 1985 (a $6.77 difference in value).
Between 1985 and 2025: Men's pants and shorts experienced an average inflation rate of 0.73% per year. In other words, men's pants and shorts costing $20 in the year 1985 would cost $26.77 in 2025 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.75% during this same period, inflation for men's pants and shorts was lower.
In the year 1985: Pricing changed by 3.38%, which is above the average yearly change for men's pants and shorts during the 1985-2025 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1985 (3.55%), inflation for men's pants and shorts was lower.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Men's pants and shorts, over time, for $20 beginning in 1985. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | $20.00 | 3.38% |
| 1986 | $19.92 | -0.42% |
| 1987 | $20.57 | 3.26% |
| 1988 | $21.48 | 4.46% |
| 1989 | $22.38 | 4.16% |
| 1990 | $22.89 | 2.32% |
| 1991 | $23.72 | 3.61% |
| 1992 | $24.38 | 2.76% |
| 1993 | $24.28 | -0.37% |
| 1994 | $24.38 | 0.39% |
| 1995 | $24.35 | -0.12% |
| 1996 | $24.90 | 2.27% |
| 1997 | $25.11 | 0.83% |
| 1998 | $25.22 | 0.44% |
| 1999 | $25.31 | 0.36% |
| 2000 | $24.85 | -1.82% |
| 2001 | $23.74 | -4.47% |
| 2002 | $22.90 | -3.53% |
| 2003 | $21.54 | -5.91% |
| 2004 | $21.01 | -2.49% |
| 2005 | $21.33 | 1.52% |
| 2006 | $20.90 | -2.00% |
| 2007 | $20.80 | -0.49% |
| 2008 | $21.20 | 1.96% |
| 2009 | $21.35 | 0.67% |
| 2010 | $20.78 | -2.63% |
| 2011 | $21.71 | 4.45% |
| 2012 | $22.78 | 4.96% |
| 2013 | $22.95 | 0.75% |
| 2014 | $22.85 | -0.48% |
| 2015 | $23.53 | 2.98% |
| 2016 | $22.85 | -2.89% |
| 2017 | $22.79 | -0.22% |
| 2018 | $22.53 | -1.17% |
| 2019 | $22.34 | -0.83% |
| 2020 | $22.37 | 0.13% |
| 2021 | $23.97 | 7.15% |
| 2022 | $24.29 | 1.34% |
| 2023 | $25.61 | 5.45% |
| 2024 | $26.02 | 1.58% |
| 2025 | $26.77 | 2.90%* |
* 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 Men's pants and shorts:
| 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 |
| CPI | 89.200 | 88.600 | 88.646 | 89.446 | 94.785 | 98.392 | 100.262 | 101.354 | 104.777 | 104.338 | 107.738 | 112.538 | 117.223 | 119.938 | 124.269 | 127.700 | 127.223 | 127.715 | 127.562 | 130.454 | 131.531 | 132.115 | 132.592 | 130.177 | 124.354 | 119.962 | 112.869 | 110.054 | 111.723 | 109.485 | 108.949 | 111.088 | 111.827 | 108.883 | 113.725 | 119.363 | 120.257 | 119.682 | 123.246 | 119.683 | 119.415 | 118.015 | 117.035 | 117.183 | 125.564 | 127.242 | 134.172 | 136.291 | 140.241 |