According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for limited service meals and snacks are 142.25% higher in 2024 versus 1997 (a $28.45 difference in value).
Between 1997 and 2024: Limited service meals and snacks experienced an average inflation rate of 3.33% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, limited service meals and snacks costing $20 in the year 1997 would cost $48.45 in 2024 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.51% during this same period, inflation for limited service meals and snacks was higher.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Limited service meals and snacks, over time, for $20 beginning in 1997. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | $20.00 | - |
| 1998 | $20.24 | 1.21% |
| 1999 | $20.71 | 2.32% |
| 2000 | $21.26 | 2.67% |
| 2001 | $21.92 | 3.07% |
| 2002 | $22.54 | 2.84% |
| 2003 | $22.97 | 1.91% |
| 2004 | $23.71 | 3.23% |
| 2005 | $24.48 | 3.24% |
| 2006 | $25.20 | 2.94% |
| 2007 | $26.11 | 3.60% |
| 2008 | $27.39 | 4.88% |
| 2009 | $28.53 | 4.17% |
| 2010 | $28.77 | 0.86% |
| 2011 | $29.42 | 2.25% |
| 2012 | $30.35 | 3.16% |
| 2013 | $30.93 | 1.90% |
| 2014 | $31.69 | 2.46% |
| 2015 | $32.67 | 3.10% |
| 2016 | $33.54 | 2.68% |
| 2017 | $34.37 | 2.46% |
| 2018 | $35.32 | 2.76% |
| 2019 | $36.41 | 3.10% |
| 2020 | $37.98 | 4.32% |
| 2021 | $40.54 | 6.74% |
| 2022 | $43.48 | 7.24% |
| 2023 | $46.52 | 6.99% |
| 2024 | $48.45 | 4.15%* |
* 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 Limited service meals and snacks:
| Year | 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 | 101.208 | 103.554 | 106.323 | 109.585 | 112.700 | 114.854 | 118.569 | 122.415 | 126.015 | 130.553 | 136.930 | 142.641 | 143.863 | 147.094 | 151.747 | 154.631 | 158.432 | 163.340 | 167.719 | 171.842 | 176.582 | 182.053 | 189.916 | 202.720 | 217.393 | 232.597 | 242.252 |