Used cars and trucks inflation, 1952–2026
Prices are 534.03% higher than in 1952, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Prices are 534.03% higher than in 1952, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for used cars and trucks are 534.03% higher in 2026 versus 1952 (a $106.81 difference in value).
Between 1952 and 2026, Used cars and trucks experienced an average inflation rate of 2.53% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, used cars and trucks costing $20 in the year 1952 would cost $126.81 in 2026 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 3.47% during this same period, inflation for used cars and trucks was lower.
Used cars and trucks prices are down 2.3% over the past year, but your own inflation rate depends on everything you buy. The personal inflation calculator works it out from your budget.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Used cars and trucks, over time, for $20 beginning in 1952. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1952 | $20.00 | - |
| 1953 | $18.83 | -5.87% |
| 1954 | $16.02 | -14.93% |
| 1955 | $15.12 | -5.57% |
| 1956 | $14.57 | -3.69% |
| 1957 | $16.30 | 11.93% |
| 1958 | $16.91 | 3.71% |
| 1959 | $18.88 | 11.66% |
| 1960 | $17.65 | -6.53% |
| 1961 | $18.32 | 3.82% |
| 1962 | $19.99 | 9.10% |
| 1963 | $20.23 | 1.23% |
| 1964 | $21.09 | 4.23% |
| 1965 | $20.97 | -0.58% |
| 1966 | $20.45 | -2.49% |
| 1967 | $21.10 | 3.19% |
| 1968 | $21.76 | 3.14% |
| 1969 | $21.74 | -0.08% |
| 1970 | $21.99 | 1.13% |
| 1971 | $23.25 | 5.71% |
| 1972 | $23.28 | 0.15% |
| 1973 | $24.78 | 6.45% |
| 1974 | $25.84 | 4.26% |
| 1975 | $30.89 | 19.53% |
| 1976 | $35.41 | 14.65% |
| 1977 | $38.55 | 8.87% |
| 1978 | $39.33 | 2.02% |
| 1979 | $42.40 | 7.80% |
| 1980 | $43.88 | 3.50% |
| 1981 | $54.17 | 23.43% |
| 1982 | $62.52 | 15.42% |
| 1983 | $69.52 | 11.21% |
| 1984 | $79.24 | 13.97% |
| 1985 | $80.08 | 1.06% |
| 1986 | $76.61 | -4.33% |
| 1987 | $79.64 | 3.96% |
| 1988 | $83.08 | 4.31% |
| 1989 | $84.81 | 2.09% |
| 1990 | $82.79 | -2.38% |
| 1991 | $83.19 | 0.47% |
| 1992 | $86.74 | 4.27% |
| 1993 | $94.28 | 8.70% |
| 1994 | $99.76 | 5.81% |
| 1995 | $110.18 | 10.44% |
| 1996 | $110.59 | 0.38% |
| 1997 | $106.43 | -3.77% |
| 1998 | $106.06 | -0.34% |
| 1999 | $107.07 | 0.95% |
| 2000 | $109.69 | 2.45% |
| 2001 | $111.76 | 1.89% |
| 2002 | $107.02 | -4.24% |
| 2003 | $100.65 | -5.96% |
| 2004 | $93.89 | -6.71% |
| 2005 | $98.20 | 4.59% |
| 2006 | $98.59 | 0.39% |
| 2007 | $95.60 | -3.03% |
| 2008 | $94.33 | -1.32% |
| 2009 | $89.42 | -5.21% |
| 2010 | $100.79 | 12.72% |
| 2011 | $104.94 | 4.11% |
| 2012 | $105.87 | 0.89% |
| 2013 | $105.55 | -0.29% |
| 2014 | $105.00 | -0.53% |
| 2015 | $103.61 | -1.32% |
| 2016 | $101.05 | -2.47% |
| 2017 | $97.37 | -3.64% |
| 2018 | $97.45 | 0.09% |
| 2019 | $98.42 | 1.00% |
| 2020 | $101.56 | 3.19% |
| 2021 | $128.61 | 26.63% |
| 2022 | $145.01 | 12.75% |
| 2023 | $134.66 | -7.13% |
| 2024 | $126.64 | -5.96% |
| 2025 | $130.23 | 2.84% |
| 2026 | $126.81 | -2.63%* |
* 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:
| Year | 1952 | 1953 | 1954 | 1955 | 1956 | 1957 | 1958 | 1959 | 1960 | 1961 | 1962 | 1963 | 1964 | 1965 | 1966 | 1967 | 1968 | 1969 | 1970 | 1971 | 1972 | 1973 | 1974 | 1975 | 1976 | 1977 | 1978 | 1979 | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 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 | 28.400 | 26.733 | 22.742 | 21.475 | 20.683 | 23.150 | 24.008 | 26.808 | 25.058 | 26.017 | 28.383 | 28.733 | 29.950 | 29.775 | 29.033 | 29.958 | 30.900 | 30.875 | 31.225 | 33.008 | 33.058 | 35.192 | 36.692 | 43.858 | 50.283 | 54.742 | 55.850 | 60.208 | 62.317 | 76.917 | 88.775 | 98.725 | 112.517 | 113.708 | 108.783 | 113.092 | 117.967 | 120.433 | 117.567 | 118.125 | 123.167 | 133.883 | 141.658 | 156.450 | 157.042 | 151.125 | 150.608 | 152.033 | 155.758 | 158.700 | 151.975 | 142.917 | 133.325 | 139.442 | 139.992 | 135.747 | 133.951 | 126.973 | 143.128 | 149.011 | 150.330 | 149.887 | 149.094 | 147.119 | 143.488 | 138.259 | 138.385 | 139.763 | 144.221 | 182.628 | 205.908 | 191.222 | 179.823 | 184.931 | 180.065 |