Used cars and trucks priced at $20 in 2008→$26.96 in 2026

Used Cars And Trucks Inflation Calculator

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Prices for Used Cars And Trucks, 2008-2026 ($20)

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for used cars and trucks are 34.78% higher in 2026 versus 2008 (a $6.96 difference in value).

Between 2008 and 2026, Used cars and trucks experienced an average inflation rate of 1.67% per year. In other words, used cars and trucks costing $20 in the year 2008 would cost $26.96 in 2026 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.44% during this same period, inflation for used cars and trucks was lower.

In the year 2008: Pricing changed by -1.32%, which is below the average yearly change for used cars and trucks during the 2008-2026 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 2008 (3.84%), inflation for used cars and trucks was much lower.

Price Inflation for Used cars and trucks since 1952

Consumer Price Index, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Years with the largest changes in pricing: 2021 (26.63%), 1981 (23.43%), and 1975 (19.53%).

Used cars and trucks prices are down 1.5% over the past year, but your own inflation rate depends on everything you buy. The personal inflation calculator works it out from your budget.

View price changes for other categories
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Buying power of $20.00 since 2008

Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Used cars and trucks, over time, for $20 beginning in 2008. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:

YearUSD ValueInflation Rate
2008$20.00-1.32%
2009$18.96-5.21%
2010$21.3712.72%
2011$22.254.11%
2012$22.450.89%
2013$22.38-0.29%
2014$22.26-0.53%
2015$21.97-1.32%
2016$21.42-2.47%
2017$20.64-3.64%
2018$20.660.09%
2019$20.871.00%
2020$21.533.19%
2021$27.2726.63%
2022$30.7412.75%
2023$28.55-7.13%
2024$26.85-5.96%
2025$27.612.84%
2026$26.96-2.37%*

* 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 Used cars and trucks:

Year195219531954195519561957195819591960196119621963196419651966196719681969197019711972197319741975197619771978197919801981198219831984198519861987198819891990199119921993199419951996199719981999200020012002200320042005200620072008200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192020202120222023202420252026
CPI28.40026.73322.74221.47520.68323.15024.00826.80825.05826.01728.38328.73329.95029.77529.03329.95830.90030.87531.22533.00833.05835.19236.69243.85850.28354.74255.85060.20862.31776.91788.77598.725112.517113.708108.783113.092117.967120.433117.567118.125123.167133.883141.658156.450157.042151.125150.608152.033155.758158.700151.975142.917133.325139.442139.992135.747133.951126.973143.128149.011150.330149.887149.094147.119143.488138.259138.385139.763144.221182.628205.908191.222179.823184.931180.546

Adjust used cars and trucks prices for inflation

Start with the inflation rate formula:

CPI in 2026 / CPI in 2008* 2008 USD value = 2026 USD value

Then plug in historical CPI values from above. The CPI for Used cars and trucks was 133.951 in the year 2008 and 180.546 in 2026:

180.546 / 133.951* $20 = $26.96

Therefore, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, $20 in 2008 has the same "purchasing power" as $26.96 in 2026 (in the CPI category of Used cars and trucks).

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics began tracking the Consumer Price Index for Used cars and trucks in 1952. In addition to used cars and trucks, the index produces monthly data on changes in prices paid by urban consumers for a variety of goods and services.