San Diego, California prices: $20 in 1988 $70.45 in 2023

Inflation in California

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Prices in San Diego, 1988-2023 ($20)

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices in San Diego, California are 252.25% higher in 2023 versus 1988 (a $50.45 difference in value).

Between 1988 and 2023: San Diego experienced an average inflation rate of 3.66% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, $20 in San Diego in the year 1988 would cost $70.45 in 2023 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.74% during this same period, inflation in San Diego was higher.

In the year 1988: Pricing changed by 3.41%, which is below the average yearly change in San Diego during the 1988-2023 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1988 (4.08%), inflation in San Diego was lower.

Price Inflation in San Diego, California since 1984

Consumer Price Index, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Years with the largest changes in pricing: 1985 (10.84%), 2023 (9.72%), and 2001 (8.15%).

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Buying power of $20.00 since 1988

Below are calculations of equivalent buying power in San Diego, over time, for $20 beginning in 1988. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:

YearUSD ValueInflation Rate
1988$20.003.41%
1989$20.733.66%
1990$21.634.36%
1991$22.021.79%
1992$22.180.72%
1993$21.99-0.84%
1994$21.94-0.26%
1995$22.060.59%
1996$22.371.36%
1997$22.912.44%
1998$24.044.94%
1999$25.626.56%
2000$27.286.49%
2001$29.518.15%
2002$31.867.97%
2003$34.066.93%
2004$35.915.43%
2005$37.233.67%
2006$38.593.66%
2007$40.013.67%
2008$41.814.49%
2009$42.802.37%
2010$42.79-0.02%
2011$43.160.86%
2012$44.202.40%
2013$45.142.13%
2014$46.031.97%
2015$47.833.92%
2016$49.744.00%
2017$52.435.41%
2018$55.305.47%
2019$57.273.56%
2020$58.902.85%
2021$60.192.19%
2022$64.216.68%
2023$70.459.72%*

* 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:

Year1984198519861987198819891990199119921993199419951996199719981999200020012002200320042005200620072008200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192020202120222023
CPI108.900120.700129.900134.900139.500144.600150.900153.600154.700153.400153.000153.900156.000159.800167.700178.700190.300205.800222.200237.600250.500259.700269.200279.078291.598298.517298.462301.030308.267314.839321.037333.606346.938365.707385.694399.426410.829419.819447.869491.385

Adjust San Diego prices for inflation

Start with the inflation rate formula:

CPI in 2023 / CPI in 1988 * 1988 USD value = 2023 USD value

Then plug in historical CPI values from above. The CPI for San Diego, California was 139.500 in the year 1988 and 491.385 in 2023:

491.385 / 139.500 * $20 = $70.45

Therefore, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, $20 in 1988 has the same "purchasing power" as $70.45 in 2023 (in the CPI category of San Diego, California).


Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics began tracking the Consumer Price Index for San Diego, California in 1984. In addition to San Diego, the index produces monthly data on changes in prices paid by urban consumers for a variety of goods and services.

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