How much have core prices gone up since 2020?
+26.7% from the 2020 average to September 2026, so $100 of everything except food and energy in 2020 costs $126.74 now. All prices rose +30.2% over the same time (BLS CPI-U, not seasonally adjusted).
Core inflation: prices without food and energy
+2.6% in the last 12 months, +26.7% since 2020 · BLS, September 2026
Last 12 months+2.6%all prices +3.7%
Since 2020+26.7%all prices +30.2%
Since 2000+87.1%all prices +95.7%
A year since 19573.62%all prices 3.65%
What $100.00 of everything except food and energy in 2020 costs in September 2026
$126.74- Core inflation since 2020
- +26.7%
- All prices since 2020
- +30.2%
- Slower than inflation by
- 3.4 points
Core inflation against all prices since 2000
Both indexes set to 100 in 2000. Core inflation have risen more slowly than prices overall since 2020.
Core inflation by year
| Year | Core inflation | All prices |
|---|---|---|
| Last 12 months | +2.6% | +3.7% |
| 2025 | +2.6% | +2.7% |
| 2024 | +3.2% | +2.9% |
| 2023 | +3.9% | +3.4% |
| 2022 | +5.7% | +6.5% |
| 2021 | +5.5% | +7.0% |
| 2020 | +1.6% | +1.4% |
| 2019 | +2.3% | +2.3% |
| 2018 | +2.2% | +1.9% |
| 2017 | +1.8% | +2.1% |
| 2016 | +2.2% | +2.1% |
| 2015 | +2.1% | +0.7% |
| 2014 | +1.6% | +0.8% |
| 2013 | +1.7% | +1.5% |
| 2012 | +1.9% | +1.7% |
| 2011 | +2.2% | +3.0% |
| 2010 | +0.8% | +1.5% |
| 2009 | +1.8% | +2.7% |
| 2008 | +1.8% | +0.1% |
| 2007 | +2.4% | +4.1% |
| 2006 | +2.6% | +2.5% |
| 2005 | +2.2% | +3.4% |
| 2004 | +2.2% | +3.3% |
| 2003 | +1.1% | +1.9% |
| 2002 | +1.9% | +2.4% |
| 2001 | +2.7% | +1.6% |
| 2000 | +2.6% | +3.4% |
| 1999 | +1.9% | +2.7% |
| 1998 | +2.4% | +1.6% |
| 1997 | +2.2% | +1.7% |
| 1996 | +2.6% | +3.3% |
| 1995 | +3.0% | +2.5% |
| 1994 | +2.6% | +2.7% |
| 1993 | +3.2% | +2.7% |
| 1992 | +3.3% | +2.9% |
| 1991 | +4.4% | +3.1% |
| 1990 | +5.2% | +6.1% |
| 1989 | +4.4% | +4.6% |
| 1988 | +4.7% | +4.4% |
| 1987 | +4.2% | +4.4% |
| 1986 | +3.8% | +1.1% |
| 1985 | +4.3% | +3.8% |
| 1984 | +4.7% | +3.9% |
| 1983 | +4.8% | +3.8% |
| 1982 | +4.5% | +3.8% |
| 1981 | +9.5% | +8.9% |
| 1980 | +12.2% | +12.5% |
| 1979 | +11.3% | +13.3% |
| 1978 | +8.5% | +9.0% |
| 1977 | +6.5% | +6.7% |
| 1976 | +6.1% | +4.9% |
| 1975 | +6.7% | +6.9% |
| 1974 | +11.1% | +12.3% |
| 1973 | +4.7% | +8.7% |
| 1972 | +3.0% | +3.4% |
| 1971 | +3.1% | +3.3% |
| 1970 | +6.6% | +5.6% |
| 1969 | +6.2% | +6.2% |
| 1968 | +5.1% | +4.7% |
| 1967 | +3.8% | +3.0% |
| 1966 | +3.3% | +3.5% |
| 1965 | +1.5% | +1.9% |
| 1964 | +1.2% | +1.0% |
| 1963 | +1.6% | +1.6% |
| 1962 | +1.3% | +1.3% |
| 1961 | +1.3% | +0.7% |
| 1960 | +1.0% | +1.4% |
| 1959 | +2.0% | +1.7% |
| 1958 | +1.7% | +1.8% |
| 1957 | — | +2.9% |
December to December, except the first row. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, CPI-U series CUUR0000SA0L1E: Everything except food and energy, the measure that shows the underlying trend. Source
Biggest moves
- Largest rises: 1980 (+12.2%), 1979 (+11.3%), 1974 (+11.1%).
- The smallest rise was 2010, at +0.8%.
Cite or link to this page
Citation
insytesBI. (2026). Core inflation inflation since 1957. Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, CPI-U, September 2026. https://www.insytesbi.com/calculators/inflation/core-inflation/Link
<a href="https://www.insytesbi.com/calculators/inflation/core-inflation/">Core inflation inflation since 1957</a>Frequently asked questions
What is the core inflation rate now?
2.6% over the 12 months to September 2026, against 3.7% for all prices.
When did core prices rise the most?
In 1980: +12.2% from December to December. Next were 1979 (+11.3%) and 1974 (+11.1%).
Have core prices risen faster than inflation?
No: since 2000 core prices have changed +87.1%, against +95.7% for all prices. Since 1957 the average is 3.62% a year, against 3.65% for everything.
Where do these numbers come from?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics consumer price index for everything except food and energy, the measure that shows the underlying trend (series CUUR0000SA0L1E, U.S. city average, not seasonally adjusted), every month since 1957, refreshed after each monthly release.