According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices in San Diego, California are 331.27% higher in 2026 versus 1985 (a $69,256.19 difference in value).
Between 1985 and 2026: San Diego experienced an average inflation rate of 3.63% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, $20,906 in San Diego in the year 1985 would cost $90,162.19 in 2026 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.73% during this same period, inflation in San Diego was higher.
In the year 1985: Pricing changed by 10.84%, which is significantly above the average yearly change in San Diego during the 1985-2026 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1985 (3.55%), inflation in San Diego was much higher.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power in San Diego, over time, for $20,906 beginning in 1985. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | $20,906.00 | 10.84% |
| 1986 | $22,499.50 | 7.62% |
| 1987 | $23,365.53 | 3.85% |
| 1988 | $24,162.28 | 3.41% |
| 1989 | $25,045.63 | 3.66% |
| 1990 | $26,136.83 | 4.36% |
| 1991 | $26,604.49 | 1.79% |
| 1992 | $26,795.01 | 0.72% |
| 1993 | $26,569.85 | -0.84% |
| 1994 | $26,500.56 | -0.26% |
| 1995 | $26,656.45 | 0.59% |
| 1996 | $27,020.18 | 1.36% |
| 1997 | $27,678.37 | 2.44% |
| 1998 | $29,046.70 | 4.94% |
| 1999 | $30,951.97 | 6.56% |
| 2000 | $32,961.16 | 6.49% |
| 2001 | $35,645.86 | 8.15% |
| 2002 | $38,486.44 | 7.97% |
| 2003 | $41,153.82 | 6.93% |
| 2004 | $43,388.18 | 5.43% |
| 2005 | $44,981.68 | 3.67% |
| 2006 | $46,627.14 | 3.66% |
| 2007 | $48,338.07 | 3.67% |
| 2008 | $50,506.61 | 4.49% |
| 2009 | $51,705.02 | 2.37% |
| 2010 | $51,695.50 | -0.02% |
| 2011 | $52,140.29 | 0.86% |
| 2012 | $53,393.79 | 2.40% |
| 2013 | $54,532.10 | 2.13% |
| 2014 | $55,605.63 | 1.97% |
| 2015 | $57,782.66 | 3.92% |
| 2016 | $60,091.85 | 4.00% |
| 2017 | $63,342.76 | 5.41% |
| 2018 | $66,804.63 | 5.47% |
| 2019 | $69,183.10 | 3.56% |
| 2020 | $71,158.17 | 2.85% |
| 2021 | $72,715.29 | 2.19% |
| 2022 | $77,573.73 | 6.68% |
| 2023 | $85,110.98 | 9.72% |
| 2024 | $90,162.19 | 5.93% |
| 2025 | $90,162.19 | 0.00% ** |
| 2026 | $90,162.19 | 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 |