According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for men's pants and shorts are 14.44% higher in 2026 versus 1991 (a $2.89 difference in value).
Between 1991 and 2026, Men's pants and shorts experienced an average inflation rate of 0.39% per year. In other words, men's pants and shorts costing $20 in the year 1991 would cost $22.89 in 2026 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.58% during this same period, inflation for men's pants and shorts was lower.
In the year 1991: Pricing changed by 3.61%, which is significantly above the average yearly change for men's pants and shorts during the 1991-2026 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1991 (4.23%), inflation for men's pants and shorts was lower.
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 Men's pants and shorts, over time, for $20 beginning in 1991. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | $20.00 | 3.61% |
| 1992 | $20.55 | 2.76% |
| 1993 | $20.48 | -0.37% |
| 1994 | $20.56 | 0.39% |
| 1995 | $20.53 | -0.12% |
| 1996 | $21.00 | 2.27% |
| 1997 | $21.17 | 0.83% |
| 1998 | $21.26 | 0.44% |
| 1999 | $21.34 | 0.36% |
| 2000 | $20.95 | -1.82% |
| 2001 | $20.01 | -4.47% |
| 2002 | $19.31 | -3.53% |
| 2003 | $18.17 | -5.91% |
| 2004 | $17.71 | -2.50% |
| 2005 | $17.98 | 1.52% |
| 2006 | $17.62 | -2.01% |
| 2007 | $17.53 | -0.49% |
| 2008 | $17.88 | 1.96% |
| 2009 | $18.00 | 0.67% |
| 2010 | $17.52 | -2.63% |
| 2011 | $18.30 | 4.45% |
| 2012 | $19.21 | 4.96% |
| 2013 | $19.35 | 0.75% |
| 2014 | $19.26 | -0.48% |
| 2015 | $19.84 | 2.98% |
| 2016 | $19.26 | -2.89% |
| 2017 | $19.22 | -0.22% |
| 2018 | $18.99 | -1.17% |
| 2019 | $18.84 | -0.83% |
| 2020 | $18.86 | 0.13% |
| 2021 | $20.21 | 7.15% |
| 2022 | $20.48 | 1.34% |
| 2023 | $21.59 | 5.45% |
| 2024 | $21.94 | 1.58% |
| 2025 | $22.47 | 2.44% |
| 2026 | $22.89 | 1.86%* |
* 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 | 2026 |
| CPI | 89.200 | 88.600 | 88.642 | 89.442 | 94.783 | 98.392 | 100.258 | 101.358 | 104.775 | 104.333 | 107.733 | 112.542 | 117.225 | 119.942 | 124.267 | 127.700 | 127.225 | 127.717 | 127.558 | 130.450 | 131.533 | 132.117 | 132.592 | 130.175 | 124.350 | 119.958 | 112.867 | 110.050 | 111.725 | 109.483 | 108.949 | 111.088 | 111.827 | 108.882 | 113.725 | 119.363 | 120.257 | 119.682 | 123.246 | 119.683 | 119.414 | 118.015 | 117.035 | 117.183 | 125.564 | 127.242 | 134.172 | 136.291 | 139.611 | 142.208 |