According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for hospital and related services are 2,209.63% higher in 2026 versus 1977 (a $441.93 difference in value).
Between 1977 and 2026:Hospital and related services experienced an average inflation rate of 6.62% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, hospital and related services costing $20 in the year 1977 would cost $461.93 in 2026 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 3.51% during this same period, inflation for hospital and related services was significantly higher.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Hospital and related services, over time, for $20 beginning in 1977. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1977 | $20.00 | - |
| 1978 | $21.28 | 6.38% |
| 1979 | $23.55 | 10.67% |
| 1980 | $26.81 | 13.86% |
| 1981 | $30.64 | 14.29% |
| 1982 | $34.86 | 13.77% |
| 1983 | $38.87 | 11.50% |
| 1984 | $42.20 | 8.58% |
| 1985 | $44.89 | 6.39% |
| 1986 | $47.59 | 6.00% |
| 1987 | $50.89 | 6.93% |
| 1988 | $55.67 | 9.41% |
| 1989 | $62.09 | 11.53% |
| 1990 | $68.76 | 10.74% |
| 1991 | $75.85 | 10.31% |
| 1992 | $82.73 | 9.07% |
| 1993 | $89.72 | 8.44% |
| 1994 | $94.96 | 5.85% |
| 1995 | $99.79 | 5.08% |
| 1996 | $104.26 | 4.48% |
| 1997 | $107.77 | 3.37% |
| 1998 | $111.24 | 3.22% |
| 1999 | $115.85 | 4.14% |
| 2000 | $122.70 | 5.91% |
| 2001 | $130.85 | 6.65% |
| 2002 | $142.23 | 8.70% |
| 2003 | $152.70 | 7.35% |
| 2004 | $161.63 | 5.85% |
| 2005 | $170.14 | 5.27% |
| 2006 | $181.06 | 6.42% |
| 2007 | $192.99 | 6.59% |
| 2008 | $206.54 | 7.02% |
| 2009 | $219.66 | 6.35% |
| 2010 | $235.06 | 7.01% |
| 2011 | $248.14 | 5.56% |
| 2012 | $259.97 | 4.77% |
| 2013 | $271.29 | 4.35% |
| 2014 | $283.86 | 4.63% |
| 2015 | $294.69 | 3.82% |
| 2016 | $307.56 | 4.37% |
| 2017 | $321.71 | 4.60% |
| 2018 | $335.34 | 4.24% |
| 2019 | $342.39 | 2.10% |
| 2020 | $356.28 | 4.06% |
| 2021 | $367.47 | 3.14% |
| 2022 | $381.22 | 3.74% |
| 2023 | $397.65 | 4.31% |
| 2024 | $421.41 | 5.98% |
| 2025 | $441.73 | 4.82% |
| 2026 | $461.93 | 4.57%* |
* 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 Hospital and related services:
| Year | 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 | 4.700 | 5.000 | 5.533 | 6.300 | 7.200 | 8.192 | 9.133 | 9.917 | 10.550 | 11.183 | 11.958 | 13.083 | 14.592 | 16.158 | 17.825 | 19.442 | 21.083 | 22.317 | 23.450 | 24.500 | 25.325 | 26.142 | 27.225 | 28.833 | 30.750 | 33.425 | 35.883 | 37.983 | 39.983 | 42.550 | 45.352 | 48.537 | 51.620 | 55.239 | 58.312 | 61.093 | 63.753 | 66.707 | 69.253 | 72.278 | 75.602 | 78.806 | 80.462 | 83.727 | 86.356 | 89.586 | 93.448 | 99.032 | 103.806 | 108.553 |