According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices in San Diego, California are 319.86% higher in 2025 versus 1986 (a $991.56 difference in value).
Between 1986 and 2025, San Diego experienced an average inflation rate of 3.75% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, $310 in San Diego in the year 1986 would cost $1,301.56 in 2025 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.80% during this same period, inflation in San Diego was higher.
In the year 1986: Pricing changed by 7.62%, which is significantly above the average yearly change in San Diego during the 1986-2025 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1986 (1.90%), inflation in San Diego was much higher.
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 in San Diego, over time, for $310 beginning in 1986. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1986 | $310.00 | 7.62% |
| 1987 | $321.93 | 3.85% |
| 1988 | $332.91 | 3.41% |
| 1989 | $345.08 | 3.66% |
| 1990 | $360.12 | 4.36% |
| 1991 | $366.56 | 1.79% |
| 1992 | $369.18 | 0.72% |
| 1993 | $366.08 | -0.84% |
| 1994 | $365.13 | -0.26% |
| 1995 | $367.27 | 0.59% |
| 1996 | $372.29 | 1.36% |
| 1997 | $381.35 | 2.44% |
| 1998 | $400.21 | 4.94% |
| 1999 | $426.46 | 6.56% |
| 2000 | $454.14 | 6.49% |
| 2001 | $491.13 | 8.15% |
| 2002 | $530.27 | 7.97% |
| 2003 | $567.02 | 6.93% |
| 2004 | $597.81 | 5.43% |
| 2005 | $619.76 | 3.67% |
| 2006 | $642.43 | 3.66% |
| 2007 | $666.01 | 3.67% |
| 2008 | $695.88 | 4.49% |
| 2009 | $712.40 | 2.37% |
| 2010 | $712.26 | -0.02% |
| 2011 | $718.39 | 0.86% |
| 2012 | $735.66 | 2.40% |
| 2013 | $751.35 | 2.13% |
| 2014 | $766.14 | 1.97% |
| 2015 | $796.13 | 3.92% |
| 2016 | $827.95 | 4.00% |
| 2017 | $872.74 | 5.41% |
| 2018 | $920.44 | 5.47% |
| 2019 | $953.21 | 3.56% |
| 2020 | $980.42 | 2.85% |
| 2021 | $1,001.88 | 2.19% |
| 2022 | $1,068.82 | 6.68% |
| 2023 | $1,172.67 | 9.72% |
| 2024 | $1,242.26 | 5.93% |
| 2025 | $1,301.56 | 4.77%* |
* 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 San Diego, California:
| 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 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
| CPI | 108.900 | 120.700 | 129.900 | 134.900 | 139.500 | 144.600 | 150.900 | 153.600 | 154.700 | 153.400 | 153.000 | 153.900 | 156.000 | 159.800 | 167.700 | 178.700 | 190.300 | 205.800 | 222.200 | 237.600 | 250.500 | 259.700 | 269.200 | 279.078 | 291.598 | 298.517 | 298.462 | 301.030 | 308.267 | 314.839 | 321.037 | 333.606 | 346.938 | 365.707 | 385.694 | 399.426 | 410.829 | 419.819 | 447.869 | 491.385 | 520.548 | 545.397 |