Inflation Calculator

Year	CPI	Inflation Rate	Value of $100
2024	314.1	3.1%	$182,40
2023	304.7	4.1%	$176,95
2022	292.7	8.0%	$169,98
2021	271.0	4.7%	$157,38
2020	258.8	1.2%	$150,29
2019	255.7	1.8%	$148,49
2018	251.1	2.4%	$145,82
2017	245.1	2.1%	$142,33
2016	240.0	1.3%	$139,37
2015	237.0	0.1%	$137,63
2014	236.7	1.6%	$137,46
2013	233.0	1.5%	$135,31
2012	229.6	2.1%	$133,33
2011	224.9	3.1%	$130,60
2010	218.1	1.7%	$126,66
2009	214.5	-0.4%	$124,56
2008	215.3	3.9%	$125,03
2007	207.3	2.8%	$120,38
2006	201.6	3.2%	$117,07
2005	195.3	3.4%	$113,41
2004	188.9	2.7%	$109,70
2003	184.0	2.3%	$106,85
2002	179.9	1.6%	$104,47
2001	177.1	2.8%	$102,85
2000	172.2	3.4%	$100,00

About This Tool

Have you ever wondered what your grandparents' salary would be worth today, or how much a movie ticket cost in 1980? Our US Inflation Calculator uses official Consumer Price Index (CPI) data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to accurately calculate the changing value of the US Dollar from 1913 to the present day. Inflation is the rate at which the general level of prices for goods and services is rising, and, subsequently, purchasing power is falling. By understanding inflation, you can better plan your retirement, negotiate fair salary adjustments, and understand the true historical context of prices. Simply enter a dollar amount and choose any two years to see the equivalent value and total cumulative inflation. The tool displays a year-by-year breakdown table showing the CPI value, annual inflation rate, and adjusted dollar amount for every year in your selected range. A visual chart highlights how purchasing power changes over time, making it easy to spot periods of high inflation like the 1970s oil crisis or the 2021-2022 post-pandemic surge. You can also calculate backwards to see what today's prices would have been in earlier decades.

How This Calculator Works

This tool uses the CPI-U (Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers), which is the most common metric used to measure inflation in the United States. The formula is: (Target Year CPI / Base Year CPI) * Dollar Amount. This tells us how much money you would need in the Target Year to buy the same "basket of goods" that cost the Dollar Amount in the Base Year. You can select any two years between 1913 and 2026 to compute the adjustment in either direction.

What is the CPI?

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is a measure that examines the weighted average of prices of a basket of consumer goods and services, such as transportation, food, and medical care. It is calculated by taking price changes for each item in the predetermined basket of goods and averaging them. Changes in the CPI are used to assess price changes associated with the cost of living. The Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes monthly CPI data, and annual averages are used for year-over-year comparisons.

Protecting Against Inflation

Since inflation erodes the value of cash over time, keeping all your money in a standard checking account often means losing purchasing power. Investors typically combat inflation by investing in assets that have historically outpaced inflation, such as stocks, real estate, or inflation-protected securities (TIPS). Understanding your "Real Rate of Return" (Return minus Inflation) is key to building long-term wealth. Even a modest 3% annual inflation rate cuts the value of cash in half over roughly 24 years.

Notable Inflation Periods in US History

The United States has experienced several significant inflationary episodes. During World War I (1917-1920), prices surged as wartime demand outstripped supply. The post-World War II era (1946-1948) saw another spike as price controls were lifted. The most dramatic modern period was the Great Inflation of the 1970s and early 1980s, when oil embargoes and loose monetary policy pushed annual inflation above 13%. More recently, 2021-2022 saw inflation reach 9.1% due to supply chain disruptions, pandemic stimulus, and energy costs. Understanding these patterns helps put current inflation rates in historical context.

Salary Adjustment and Cost of Living

If your salary has not increased at least at the rate of inflation each year, your real purchasing power has declined. For example, a salary of $50,000 in 2015 would need to be approximately $62,000 in 2025 just to maintain the same standard of living. Many employers provide annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) based on CPI data. Use this calculator to determine the minimum raise needed to keep pace with inflation, and bring the results to your next salary review as supporting evidence for a fair adjustment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where does the data come from?

Our data is sourced directly from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Historical CPI-U tables. Data ranges from 1913 (the first year data is available) to the most recent full year. For the current and future years (2025-2026), we use the latest available monthly data or conservative projections based on Federal Reserve targets and recent trends.

How do I use this for salary negotiation?

If you earned $50,000 five years ago and have not received a raise, you are effectively earning less today due to inflation. Enter your starting salary and the year you started in the "From Year" fields, and set the "To Year" to today. The result shows the salary you would need today just to maintain the same standard of living. This is a powerful data point to bring to your performance review.

Why is my personal inflation rate different?

The CPI represents an "average" urban consumer. However, everyone buys a different mix of goods. If you spend more on healthcare and education (sectors with high inflation) and less on electronics (which often see deflation), your personal inflation rate might be higher than the official average. This calculator provides a baseline using the national average.

Calculate Purchasing Power

Purchasing Power Timeline ($)

Did you know?

Year-by-Year Breakdown