How much have housing costs gone up since 2020?
+32.6% from the 2020 average to September 2026, so $100 of housing in 2020 costs $132.59 now. All prices rose +30.2% over the same time (BLS CPI-U, not seasonally adjusted).
How much housing costs have gone up
+3.2% in the last 12 months, +32.6% since 2020 · BLS, September 2026
Last 12 months+3.2%all prices +3.7%
Since 2020+32.6%all prices +30.2%
Since 2000+123.5%all prices +95.7%
A year since 19534.15%all prices 3.52%
What $100.00 of housing in 2020 costs in September 2026
$132.59- Housing costs (shelter) since 2020
- +32.6%
- All prices since 2020
- +30.2%
- Faster than inflation by
- 2.4 points
Housing costs (shelter) against all prices since 2000
Both indexes set to 100 in 2000. Housing costs (shelter) have risen faster than prices overall since 2020.
Housing costs (shelter) by year
| Year | Housing costs (shelter) | All prices |
|---|---|---|
| Last 12 months | +3.2% | +3.7% |
| 2025 | +3.2% | +2.7% |
| 2024 | +4.6% | +2.9% |
| 2023 | +6.2% | +3.4% |
| 2022 | +7.5% | +6.5% |
| 2021 | +4.1% | +7.0% |
| 2020 | +1.8% | +1.4% |
| 2019 | +3.2% | +2.3% |
| 2018 | +3.2% | +1.9% |
| 2017 | +3.2% | +2.1% |
| 2016 | +3.6% | +2.1% |
| 2015 | +3.2% | +0.7% |
| 2014 | +2.9% | +0.8% |
| 2013 | +2.5% | +1.5% |
| 2012 | +2.2% | +1.7% |
| 2011 | +1.9% | +3.0% |
| 2010 | +0.4% | +1.5% |
| 2009 | +0.3% | +2.7% |
| 2008 | +1.9% | +0.1% |
| 2007 | +3.1% | +4.1% |
| 2006 | +4.2% | +2.5% |
| 2005 | +2.6% | +3.4% |
| 2004 | +2.7% | +3.3% |
| 2003 | +2.2% | +1.9% |
| 2002 | +3.1% | +2.4% |
| 2001 | +4.2% | +1.6% |
| 2000 | +3.4% | +3.4% |
| 1999 | +2.5% | +2.7% |
| 1998 | +3.3% | +1.6% |
| 1997 | +3.4% | +1.7% |
| 1996 | +2.9% | +3.3% |
| 1995 | +3.5% | +2.5% |
| 1994 | +3.0% | +2.7% |
| 1993 | +3.0% | +2.7% |
| 1992 | +2.9% | +2.9% |
| 1991 | +3.9% | +3.1% |
| 1990 | +5.2% | +6.1% |
| 1989 | +4.9% | +4.6% |
| 1988 | +4.5% | +4.4% |
| 1987 | +4.8% | +4.4% |
| 1986 | +4.6% | +1.1% |
| 1985 | +6.0% | +3.8% |
| 1984 | +5.2% | +3.9% |
| 1983 | +4.7% | +3.8% |
| 1982 | +2.4% | +3.8% |
| 1981 | +9.9% | +8.9% |
| 1980 | +15.0% | +12.5% |
| 1979 | +17.5% | +13.3% |
| 1978 | +11.4% | +9.0% |
| 1977 | +8.8% | +6.7% |
| 1976 | +4.2% | +4.9% |
| 1975 | +7.2% | +6.9% |
| 1974 | +11.4% | +12.3% |
| 1973 | +7.1% | +8.7% |
| 1972 | +4.0% | +3.4% |
| 1971 | +2.7% | +3.3% |
| 1970 | +8.9% | +5.6% |
| 1969 | +8.7% | +6.2% |
| 1968 | +6.5% | +4.7% |
| 1967 | +2.8% | +3.0% |
| 1966 | +4.0% | +3.5% |
| 1965 | +2.2% | +1.9% |
| 1964 | +1.5% | +1.0% |
| 1963 | +1.9% | +1.6% |
| 1962 | +0.8% | +1.3% |
| 1961 | +0.8% | +0.7% |
| 1960 | +1.6% | +1.4% |
| 1959 | +2.0% | +1.7% |
| 1958 | +0.8% | +1.8% |
| 1957 | +3.4% | +2.9% |
| 1956 | +2.6% | +3.0% |
| 1955 | +0.9% | +0.4% |
| 1954 | +1.8% | -0.7% |
| 1953 | +3.2% | +0.7% |
December to December, except the first row. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, CPI-U series CUUR0000SAH1: Shelter: rent, what owners would pay to rent their own home, hotels, and renters’ and home insurance. Source
Biggest moves
- Largest rises: 1979 (+17.5%), 1980 (+15.0%), 1978 (+11.4%).
- The smallest rise was 2009, at +0.3%.
Cite or link to this page
Citation
insytesBI. (2026). Housing costs (shelter) inflation since 1953. Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, CPI-U, September 2026. https://www.insytesbi.com/calculators/inflation/housing-costs/Link
<a href="https://www.insytesbi.com/calculators/inflation/housing-costs/">Housing costs (shelter) inflation since 1953</a>Frequently asked questions
What is the inflation rate for housing costs now?
3.2% over the 12 months to September 2026, against 3.7% for all prices.
When did housing costs rise the most?
In 1979: +17.5% from December to December. Next were 1980 (+15.0%) and 1978 (+11.4%).
Have housing costs risen faster than inflation?
Yes: since 2000 housing costs have changed +123.5%, against +95.7% for all prices. Since 1953 the average is 4.15% a year, against 3.52% for everything.
Where do these numbers come from?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics consumer price index for shelter: rent, what owners would pay to rent their own home, hotels, and renters’ and home insurance (series CUUR0000SAH1, U.S. city average, not seasonally adjusted), every month since 1953, refreshed after each monthly release.