Legal services inflation, 1986–2024
Prices are 347.85% higher than in 1986, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Prices are 347.85% higher than in 1986, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for legal services are 347.85% higher in 2024 versus 1986 (a $34,784.66 difference in value).
Between 1986 and 2024, Legal services experienced an average inflation rate of 4.02% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, legal services costing $10,000 in the year 1986 would cost $44,784.66 in 2024 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.81% during this same period, inflation for legal services was higher.
The official rate is based on an average household's spending, so your own inflation rate is probably different. The personal inflation calculator works it out from your budget.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Legal services, over time, for $10,000 beginning in 1986. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1986 | $10,000.00 | - |
| 1987 | $10,344.17 | 3.44% |
| 1988 | $10,765.83 | 4.08% |
| 1989 | $11,411.67 | 6.00% |
| 1990 | $12,255.83 | 7.40% |
| 1991 | $12,957.50 | 5.73% |
| 1992 | $13,621.67 | 5.13% |
| 1993 | $14,195.00 | 4.21% |
| 1994 | $14,675.83 | 3.39% |
| 1995 | $15,163.33 | 3.32% |
| 1996 | $15,708.33 | 3.59% |
| 1997 | $16,382.50 | 4.29% |
| 1998 | $17,166.67 | 4.79% |
| 1999 | $17,997.50 | 4.84% |
| 2000 | $18,934.17 | 5.20% |
| 2001 | $19,946.67 | 5.35% |
| 2002 | $21,105.00 | 5.81% |
| 2003 | $22,170.83 | 5.05% |
| 2004 | $23,225.83 | 4.76% |
| 2005 | $24,175.00 | 4.09% |
| 2006 | $25,000.83 | 3.42% |
| 2007 | $26,027.33 | 4.11% |
| 2008 | $27,072.59 | 4.02% |
| 2009 | $27,814.62 | 2.74% |
| 2010 | $28,812.99 | 3.59% |
| 2011 | $29,742.73 | 3.23% |
| 2012 | $30,346.47 | 2.03% |
| 2013 | $31,181.70 | 2.75% |
| 2014 | $31,849.23 | 2.14% |
| 2015 | $32,355.78 | 1.59% |
| 2016 | $33,447.83 | 3.38% |
| 2017 | $34,639.14 | 3.56% |
| 2018 | $36,124.44 | 4.29% |
| 2019 | $36,475.36 | 0.97% |
| 2020 | $36,872.13 | 1.09% |
| 2021 | $37,438.08 | 1.53% |
| 2022 | $39,901.06 | 6.58% |
| 2023 | $43,417.86 | 8.81% |
| 2024 | $44,784.66 | 3.15%* |
* 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 Legal services:
| Year | 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 |
| CPI | 100.000 | 103.442 | 107.658 | 114.117 | 122.558 | 129.575 | 136.217 | 141.950 | 146.758 | 151.633 | 157.083 | 163.825 | 171.667 | 179.975 | 189.342 | 199.467 | 211.050 | 221.708 | 232.258 | 241.750 | 250.008 | 260.273 | 270.726 | 278.146 | 288.130 | 297.427 | 303.465 | 311.817 | 318.492 | 323.558 | 334.478 | 346.391 | 361.244 | 364.754 | 368.721 | 374.381 | 399.011 | 434.179 | 447.847 |