According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices in San Diego, California are 273.15% higher in 2026 versus 1988 (a $9,560.34 difference in value).
Between 1988 and 2026: San Diego experienced an average inflation rate of 3.53% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, $3,500 in San Diego in the year 1988 would cost $13,060.34 in 2026 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.69% 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 1988-2026 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1988 (4.08%), inflation in San Diego was lower.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power in San Diego, over time, for $3,500 beginning in 1988. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1988 | $3,500.00 | 3.41% |
| 1989 | $3,627.96 | 3.66% |
| 1990 | $3,786.02 | 4.36% |
| 1991 | $3,853.76 | 1.79% |
| 1992 | $3,881.36 | 0.72% |
| 1993 | $3,848.75 | -0.84% |
| 1994 | $3,838.71 | -0.26% |
| 1995 | $3,861.29 | 0.59% |
| 1996 | $3,913.98 | 1.36% |
| 1997 | $4,009.32 | 2.44% |
| 1998 | $4,207.53 | 4.94% |
| 1999 | $4,483.51 | 6.56% |
| 2000 | $4,774.55 | 6.49% |
| 2001 | $5,163.44 | 8.15% |
| 2002 | $5,574.91 | 7.97% |
| 2003 | $5,961.29 | 6.93% |
| 2004 | $6,284.95 | 5.43% |
| 2005 | $6,515.77 | 3.67% |
| 2006 | $6,754.12 | 3.66% |
| 2007 | $7,001.96 | 3.67% |
| 2008 | $7,316.08 | 4.49% |
| 2009 | $7,489.67 | 2.37% |
| 2010 | $7,488.29 | -0.02% |
| 2011 | $7,552.72 | 0.86% |
| 2012 | $7,734.30 | 2.40% |
| 2013 | $7,899.19 | 2.13% |
| 2014 | $8,054.69 | 1.97% |
| 2015 | $8,370.04 | 3.92% |
| 2016 | $8,704.54 | 4.00% |
| 2017 | $9,175.44 | 5.41% |
| 2018 | $9,676.91 | 5.47% |
| 2019 | $10,021.44 | 3.56% |
| 2020 | $10,307.54 | 2.85% |
| 2021 | $10,533.09 | 2.19% |
| 2022 | $11,236.86 | 6.68% |
| 2023 | $12,328.66 | 9.72% |
| 2024 | $13,060.34 | 5.93% |
| 2025 | $13,060.34 | 0.00% ** |
| 2026 | $13,060.34 | 0.00% ** |
* 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 | 2026 |
| 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 | 520.548 | 520.548 |