How much have new car prices gone up since 2020?
+21.9% from the 2020 average to September 2026, so $100 of new cars in 2020 costs $121.86 now. All prices rose +30.2% over the same time (BLS CPI-U, not seasonally adjusted).
How much new car prices have gone up
+0.6% in the last 12 months, +21.9% since 2020 · BLS, September 2026
Last 12 months+0.6%all prices +3.7%
Since 2020+21.9%all prices +30.2%
Since 2000+26.0%all prices +95.7%
A year since 19531.84%all prices 3.52%
What $100.00 of new cars in 2020 costs in September 2026
$121.86- New car prices since 2020
- +21.9%
- All prices since 2020
- +30.2%
- Slower than inflation by
- 8.3 points
New car prices against all prices since 2000
Both indexes set to 100 in 2000. New car prices have risen more slowly than prices overall since 2020.
New car prices by year
| Year | New car prices | All prices |
|---|---|---|
| Last 12 months | +0.6% | +3.7% |
| 2025 | +0.3% | +2.7% |
| 2024 | -0.4% | +2.9% |
| 2023 | +1.0% | +3.4% |
| 2022 | +5.9% | +6.5% |
| 2021 | +11.8% | +7.0% |
| 2020 | +2.0% | +1.4% |
| 2019 | +0.1% | +2.3% |
| 2018 | -0.3% | +1.9% |
| 2017 | -0.5% | +2.1% |
| 2016 | +0.3% | +2.1% |
| 2015 | +0.2% | +0.7% |
| 2014 | +0.5% | +0.8% |
| 2013 | +0.4% | +1.5% |
| 2012 | +1.6% | +1.7% |
| 2011 | +3.2% | +3.0% |
| 2010 | -0.2% | +1.5% |
| 2009 | +4.9% | +2.7% |
| 2008 | -3.2% | +0.1% |
| 2007 | -0.3% | +4.1% |
| 2006 | -0.9% | +2.5% |
| 2005 | -0.4% | +3.4% |
| 2004 | +0.6% | +3.3% |
| 2003 | -1.8% | +1.9% |
| 2002 | -2.0% | +2.4% |
| 2001 | -0.1% | +1.6% |
| 2000 | +0.0% | +3.4% |
| 1999 | -0.3% | +2.7% |
| 1998 | +0.0% | +1.6% |
| 1997 | -0.9% | +1.7% |
| 1996 | +1.8% | +3.3% |
| 1995 | +1.9% | +2.5% |
| 1994 | +3.3% | +2.7% |
| 1993 | +3.3% | +2.7% |
| 1992 | +2.3% | +2.9% |
| 1991 | +3.2% | +3.1% |
| 1990 | +2.0% | +6.1% |
| 1989 | +2.4% | +4.6% |
| 1988 | +2.2% | +4.4% |
| 1987 | +1.8% | +4.4% |
| 1986 | +5.6% | +1.1% |
| 1985 | +3.6% | +3.8% |
| 1984 | +2.5% | +3.9% |
| 1983 | +3.3% | +3.8% |
| 1982 | +1.4% | +3.8% |
| 1981 | +6.8% | +8.9% |
| 1980 | +7.4% | +12.5% |
| 1979 | +7.4% | +13.3% |
| 1978 | +6.2% | +9.0% |
| 1977 | +7.2% | +6.7% |
| 1976 | +4.8% | +4.9% |
| 1975 | +7.3% | +6.9% |
| 1974 | +11.4% | +12.3% |
| 1973 | +1.3% | +8.7% |
| 1972 | +0.2% | +3.4% |
| 1971 | -3.2% | +3.3% |
| 1970 | +6.6% | +5.6% |
| 1969 | +2.1% | +6.2% |
| 1968 | +1.4% | +4.7% |
| 1967 | +2.8% | +3.0% |
| 1966 | +0.0% | +3.5% |
| 1965 | -2.9% | +1.9% |
| 1964 | -0.6% | +1.0% |
| 1963 | -0.4% | +1.6% |
| 1962 | -1.0% | +1.3% |
| 1961 | +0.2% | +0.7% |
| 1960 | -3.0% | +1.4% |
| 1959 | -0.2% | +1.7% |
| 1958 | +6.1% | +1.8% |
| 1957 | +2.0% | +2.9% |
| 1956 | +7.8% | +3.0% |
| 1955 | -2.3% | +0.4% |
| 1954 | +1.3% | -0.7% |
| 1953 | -1.7% | +0.7% |
December to December, except the first row. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, CPI-U series CUUR0000SETA01: New cars and trucks. Source
Biggest moves
- Largest rises: 2021 (+11.8%), 1974 (+11.4%), 1956 (+7.8%).
- Largest falls: 1971 (-3.2%), 2008 (-3.2%), 1960 (-3.0%).
Cite or link to this page
Citation
insytesBI. (2026). New car prices inflation since 1953. Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, CPI-U, September 2026. https://www.insytesbi.com/calculators/inflation/new-car-prices/Link
<a href="https://www.insytesbi.com/calculators/inflation/new-car-prices/">New car prices inflation since 1953</a>Frequently asked questions
What is the inflation rate for new car prices now?
0.6% over the 12 months to September 2026, against 3.7% for all prices.
When did new car prices rise the most?
In 2021: +11.8% from December to December. Next were 1974 (+11.4%) and 1956 (+7.8%).
Have new car prices risen faster than inflation?
No: since 2000 new car prices have changed +26.0%, against +95.7% for all prices. Since 1953 the average is 1.84% a year, against 3.52% for everything.
Where do these numbers come from?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics consumer price index for new cars and trucks (series CUUR0000SETA01, U.S. city average, not seasonally adjusted), every month since 1953, refreshed after each monthly release.