How much have clothing prices gone up since 2020?
+18.6% from the 2020 average to September 2026, so $100 of clothing in 2020 costs $118.60 now. All prices rose +30.2% over the same time (BLS CPI-U, not seasonally adjusted).
How much clothing prices have gone up
+3.4% in the last 12 months, +18.6% since 2020 · BLS, September 2026
Last 12 months+3.4%all prices +3.7%
Since 2020+18.6%all prices +30.2%
Since 2000+8.1%all prices +95.7%
A year since 19412.15%all prices 3.74%
What $100.00 of clothing in 2020 costs in September 2026
$118.60- Clothing prices since 2020
- +18.6%
- All prices since 2020
- +30.2%
- Slower than inflation by
- 11.6 points
Clothing prices against all prices since 2000
Both indexes set to 100 in 2000. Clothing prices have risen more slowly than prices overall since 2020.
Clothing prices by year
| Year | Clothing prices | All prices |
|---|---|---|
| Last 12 months | +3.4% | +3.7% |
| 2025 | +0.6% | +2.7% |
| 2024 | +1.2% | +2.9% |
| 2023 | +1.0% | +3.4% |
| 2022 | +2.9% | +6.5% |
| 2021 | +5.8% | +7.0% |
| 2020 | -3.9% | +1.4% |
| 2019 | -1.2% | +2.3% |
| 2018 | -0.1% | +1.9% |
| 2017 | -1.6% | +2.1% |
| 2016 | -0.1% | +2.1% |
| 2015 | -0.9% | +0.7% |
| 2014 | -2.0% | +0.8% |
| 2013 | +0.6% | +1.5% |
| 2012 | +1.8% | +1.7% |
| 2011 | +4.6% | +3.0% |
| 2010 | -1.1% | +1.5% |
| 2009 | +1.9% | +2.7% |
| 2008 | -1.0% | +0.1% |
| 2007 | -0.3% | +4.1% |
| 2006 | +0.9% | +2.5% |
| 2005 | -1.1% | +3.4% |
| 2004 | -0.2% | +3.3% |
| 2003 | -2.1% | +1.9% |
| 2002 | -1.8% | +2.4% |
| 2001 | -3.2% | +1.6% |
| 2000 | -1.8% | +3.4% |
| 1999 | -0.5% | +2.7% |
| 1998 | -0.7% | +1.6% |
| 1997 | +1.0% | +1.7% |
| 1996 | -0.2% | +3.3% |
| 1995 | +0.1% | +2.5% |
| 1994 | -1.6% | +2.7% |
| 1993 | +0.9% | +2.7% |
| 1992 | +1.4% | +2.9% |
| 1991 | +3.4% | +3.1% |
| 1990 | +5.1% | +6.1% |
| 1989 | +1.0% | +4.6% |
| 1988 | +4.7% | +4.4% |
| 1987 | +4.8% | +4.4% |
| 1986 | +0.9% | +1.1% |
| 1985 | +2.8% | +3.8% |
| 1984 | +2.0% | +3.9% |
| 1983 | +2.9% | +3.8% |
| 1982 | +1.6% | +3.8% |
| 1981 | +3.5% | +8.9% |
| 1980 | +6.8% | +12.5% |
| 1979 | +5.5% | +13.3% |
| 1978 | +3.1% | +9.0% |
| 1977 | +4.3% | +6.7% |
| 1976 | +4.6% | +4.9% |
| 1975 | +2.4% | +6.9% |
| 1974 | +8.7% | +12.3% |
| 1973 | +4.4% | +8.7% |
| 1972 | +2.6% | +3.4% |
| 1971 | +2.1% | +3.3% |
| 1970 | +3.9% | +5.6% |
| 1969 | +5.2% | +6.2% |
| 1968 | +6.3% | +4.7% |
| 1967 | +4.2% | +3.0% |
| 1966 | +3.9% | +3.5% |
| 1965 | +1.3% | +1.9% |
| 1964 | +0.4% | +1.0% |
| 1963 | +1.7% | +1.6% |
| 1962 | +0.6% | +1.3% |
| 1961 | +0.4% | +0.7% |
| 1960 | +1.5% | +1.4% |
| 1959 | +1.3% | +1.7% |
| 1958 | +0.2% | +1.8% |
| 1957 | +0.9% | +2.9% |
| 1956 | +2.5% | +3.0% |
| 1955 | +0.5% | +0.4% |
| 1954 | -0.7% | -0.7% |
| 1953 | +0.7% | +0.7% |
| 1952 | -2.9% | +0.8% |
| 1951 | +5.7% | +6.0% |
| 1950 | +5.3% | +5.9% |
| 1949 | -7.4% | -2.1% |
| 1948 | +5.1% | +3.0% |
| 1947 | +8.2% | +8.8% |
| 1946 | +18.1% | +18.1% |
| 1945 | +4.9% | +2.2% |
| 1944 | +5.5% | +2.3% |
| 1943 | +7.0% | +3.0% |
| 1942 | +10.2% | +9.0% |
| 1941 | +12.8% | +9.9% |
December to December, except the first row. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, CPI-U series CUUR0000SAA: Apparel: clothing, shoes, jewelry and watches. Source
Biggest moves
- Largest rises: 1946 (+18.1%), 1941 (+12.8%), 1942 (+10.2%).
- Largest falls: 1949 (-7.4%), 2020 (-3.9%), 2001 (-3.2%).
Cite or link to this page
Citation
insytesBI. (2026). Clothing prices inflation since 1941. Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, CPI-U, September 2026. https://www.insytesbi.com/calculators/inflation/clothing-prices/Link
<a href="https://www.insytesbi.com/calculators/inflation/clothing-prices/">Clothing prices inflation since 1941</a>Frequently asked questions
What is the inflation rate for clothing prices now?
3.4% over the 12 months to September 2026, against 3.7% for all prices.
When did clothing prices rise the most?
In 1946: +18.1% from December to December. Next were 1941 (+12.8%) and 1942 (+10.2%).
Have clothing prices risen faster than inflation?
No: since 2000 clothing prices have changed +8.1%, against +95.7% for all prices. Since 1941 the average is 2.15% a year, against 3.74% for everything.
Where do these numbers come from?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics consumer price index for apparel: clothing, shoes, jewelry and watches (series CUUR0000SAA, U.S. city average, not seasonally adjusted), every month since 1941, refreshed after each monthly release.