According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for used cars and trucks are 679.90% higher in 2026 versus 1957 (a $135.98 difference in value).
Between 1957 and 2026, Used cars and trucks experienced an average inflation rate of 3.02% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, used cars and trucks costing $20 in the year 1957 would cost $155.98 in 2026 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 3.65% during this same period, inflation for used cars and trucks was lower.
In the year 1957: Pricing changed by 11.93%, which is significantly above the average yearly change for used cars and trucks during the 1957-2026 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1957 (3.34%), inflation for used cars and trucks was much higher.
Used cars and trucks prices are down 1.5% over the past year, but your own inflation rate depends on everything you buy. The personal inflation calculator works it out from your budget.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Used cars and trucks, over time, for $20 beginning in 1957. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1957 | $20.00 | 11.93% |
| 1958 | $20.74 | 3.71% |
| 1959 | $23.16 | 11.66% |
| 1960 | $21.65 | -6.53% |
| 1961 | $22.48 | 3.82% |
| 1962 | $24.52 | 9.10% |
| 1963 | $24.82 | 1.23% |
| 1964 | $25.87 | 4.23% |
| 1965 | $25.72 | -0.58% |
| 1966 | $25.08 | -2.49% |
| 1967 | $25.88 | 3.19% |
| 1968 | $26.70 | 3.14% |
| 1969 | $26.67 | -0.08% |
| 1970 | $26.98 | 1.13% |
| 1971 | $28.52 | 5.71% |
| 1972 | $28.56 | 0.15% |
| 1973 | $30.40 | 6.45% |
| 1974 | $31.70 | 4.26% |
| 1975 | $37.89 | 19.53% |
| 1976 | $43.44 | 14.65% |
| 1977 | $47.29 | 8.87% |
| 1978 | $48.25 | 2.02% |
| 1979 | $52.02 | 7.80% |
| 1980 | $53.84 | 3.50% |
| 1981 | $66.45 | 23.43% |
| 1982 | $76.70 | 15.42% |
| 1983 | $85.29 | 11.21% |
| 1984 | $97.21 | 13.97% |
| 1985 | $98.24 | 1.06% |
| 1986 | $93.98 | -4.33% |
| 1987 | $97.70 | 3.96% |
| 1988 | $101.92 | 4.31% |
| 1989 | $104.05 | 2.09% |
| 1990 | $101.57 | -2.38% |
| 1991 | $102.05 | 0.47% |
| 1992 | $106.41 | 4.27% |
| 1993 | $115.67 | 8.70% |
| 1994 | $122.38 | 5.81% |
| 1995 | $135.16 | 10.44% |
| 1996 | $135.67 | 0.38% |
| 1997 | $130.56 | -3.77% |
| 1998 | $130.12 | -0.34% |
| 1999 | $131.35 | 0.95% |
| 2000 | $134.56 | 2.45% |
| 2001 | $137.11 | 1.89% |
| 2002 | $131.30 | -4.24% |
| 2003 | $123.47 | -5.96% |
| 2004 | $115.18 | -6.71% |
| 2005 | $120.47 | 4.59% |
| 2006 | $120.94 | 0.39% |
| 2007 | $117.28 | -3.03% |
| 2008 | $115.72 | -1.32% |
| 2009 | $109.70 | -5.21% |
| 2010 | $123.65 | 12.72% |
| 2011 | $128.73 | 4.11% |
| 2012 | $129.87 | 0.89% |
| 2013 | $129.49 | -0.29% |
| 2014 | $128.81 | -0.53% |
| 2015 | $127.10 | -1.32% |
| 2016 | $123.96 | -2.47% |
| 2017 | $119.45 | -3.64% |
| 2018 | $119.56 | 0.09% |
| 2019 | $120.75 | 1.00% |
| 2020 | $124.60 | 3.19% |
| 2021 | $157.78 | 26.63% |
| 2022 | $177.89 | 12.75% |
| 2023 | $165.20 | -7.13% |
| 2024 | $155.35 | -5.96% |
| 2025 | $159.77 | 2.84% |
| 2026 | $155.98 | -2.37%* |
* 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 Used cars and trucks:
| Year | 1952 | 1953 | 1954 | 1955 | 1956 | 1957 | 1958 | 1959 | 1960 | 1961 | 1962 | 1963 | 1964 | 1965 | 1966 | 1967 | 1968 | 1969 | 1970 | 1971 | 1972 | 1973 | 1974 | 1975 | 1976 | 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 | 28.400 | 26.733 | 22.742 | 21.475 | 20.683 | 23.150 | 24.008 | 26.808 | 25.058 | 26.017 | 28.383 | 28.733 | 29.950 | 29.775 | 29.033 | 29.958 | 30.900 | 30.875 | 31.225 | 33.008 | 33.058 | 35.192 | 36.692 | 43.858 | 50.283 | 54.742 | 55.850 | 60.208 | 62.317 | 76.917 | 88.775 | 98.725 | 112.517 | 113.708 | 108.783 | 113.092 | 117.967 | 120.433 | 117.567 | 118.125 | 123.167 | 133.883 | 141.658 | 156.450 | 157.042 | 151.125 | 150.608 | 152.033 | 155.758 | 158.700 | 151.975 | 142.917 | 133.325 | 139.442 | 139.992 | 135.747 | 133.951 | 126.973 | 143.128 | 149.011 | 150.330 | 149.887 | 149.094 | 147.119 | 143.488 | 138.259 | 138.385 | 139.763 | 144.221 | 182.628 | 205.908 | 191.222 | 179.823 | 184.931 | 180.546 |