According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for new vehicles were 43.71% higher in 2019 versus 1984 (a $52,456.25 difference in value).
Between 1984 and 2019: Vehicles experienced an average inflation rate of 1.04% per year. In other words, vehicles costing $120,000 in the year 1984 would cost $172,456.25 in 2019 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.61% during this same period, inflation for vehicles was lower.
Raw Consumer Price Index data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for New vehicles:
| Year | 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 |
| CPI | 102.633 | 106.067 | 110.600 | 114.367 | 116.500 | 119.200 | 121.400 | 126.000 | 129.200 | 132.733 | 137.600 | 140.967 | 143.700 | 144.267 | 143.433 | 142.867 | 142.767 | 142.133 | 140.000 | 137.867 | 137.067 | 137.933 | 137.600 | 136.254 | 134.194 | 135.623 | 138.005 | 141.883 | 144.232 | 145.783 | 146.275 | 147.135 | 147.358 | 146.992 | 146.287 | 147.498 |
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Vehicles, over time, for $120000 beginning in 1984. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1984 | $120,000.00 | - |
| 1985 | $124,014.29 | 3.35% |
| 1986 | $129,314.71 | 4.27% |
| 1987 | $133,718.74 | 3.41% |
| 1988 | $136,213.06 | 1.87% |
| 1989 | $139,369.93 | 2.32% |
| 1990 | $141,942.19 | 1.85% |
| 1991 | $147,320.56 | 3.79% |
| 1992 | $151,062.03 | 2.54% |
| 1993 | $155,193.24 | 2.73% |
| 1994 | $160,883.40 | 3.67% |
| 1995 | $164,819.75 | 2.45% |
| 1996 | $168,015.59 | 1.94% |
| 1997 | $168,678.14 | 0.39% |
| 1998 | $167,703.80 | -0.58% |
| 1999 | $167,041.25 | -0.40% |
| 2000 | $166,924.33 | -0.07% |
| 2001 | $166,183.83 | -0.44% |
| 2002 | $163,689.51 | -1.50% |
| 2003 | $161,195.19 | -1.52% |
| 2004 | $160,259.82 | -0.58% |
| 2005 | $161,273.14 | 0.63% |
| 2006 | $160,883.40 | -0.24% |
| 2007 | $159,310.04 | -0.98% |
| 2008 | $156,900.68 | -1.51% |
| 2009 | $158,572.26 | 1.07% |
| 2010 | $161,357.32 | 1.76% |
| 2011 | $165,891.52 | 2.81% |
| 2012 | $168,637.61 | 1.66% |
| 2013 | $170,451.45 | 1.08% |
| 2014 | $171,026.31 | 0.34% |
| 2015 | $172,031.83 | 0.59% |
| 2016 | $172,292.56 | 0.15% |
| 2017 | $171,865.02 | -0.25% |
| 2018 | $171,039.95 | -0.48% |
| 2019 | $172,456.25 | 0.83%* |