Inflation Calculator
See what money from any year since 1913 is worth in today's dollars, using official Consumer Price Index data, and project what today's costs will be years from now.
Last reviewed September 2026 · How this calculator works
Inflation is why a dollar buys less every year. This calculator uses the government's Consumer Price Index to show exactly how much, in both directions: what an old price or salary is worth today, and what today's bills will cost in the future.
Past to present
Today into the future
Worked examples from the CPI data
- $100 in 1990 has the same buying power as about $246.29 in 2025. That's cumulative inflation of 146.3%, or about 2.61% a year on average.
- A $50,000 salary in 2000 equals about $93,467 in 2025. Anyone earning less than that today for the same job has lost buying power.
- From 2020 to 2025, prices rose about 24.4% overall. $100 of 2020 groceries and bills cost about $124 by 2025, which is why the last few years felt so expensive.
- Looking ahead: at 3% inflation, $60,000 of annual spending today becomes about $108,367 in 20 years, and $100 kept in cash will buy only about $55 worth of today's goods.
Inflation by decade
| Period | Avg. annual inflation | What $100 at the start was worth at the end |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 – 1980 | 7.8% | $212 |
| 1980 – 1990 | 4.7% | $159 |
| 1990 – 2000 | 2.8% | $132 |
| 2000 – 2010 | 2.4% | $127 |
| 2010 – 2020 | 1.7% | $119 |
| 2020 – 2025 | 4.5% | $124 |
Calculated from CPI-U annual averages (1982–84 = 100), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as compiled by the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Worth at the end" means the amount needed at the end of the period to match the buying power of $100 at the start.
How to use these numbers in real life
- Judging a raise: compare your pay change with inflation over the same period. See is your raise beating inflation?
- Planning for retirement: future expenses are bigger in dollar terms. See inflation and retirement planning.
- Deciding where to keep cash: money earning less than inflation is losing buying power. See who wins and loses from inflation.
- Understanding your own costs: the national rate is an average. Try our Personal Inflation Rate Calculator to see yours.
Related guides
- What Inflation Really Means for Your Everyday Costs
- Inflation's Winners and Losers: Cash, Savings, Debt and Investments
- Inflation and Retirement: How to Plan in Today's Dollars
Also try
Frequently asked questions
How is inflation calculated here?
For past years, the calculator multiplies your amount by the ratio of the Consumer Price Index (CPI-U annual average) in the ending year to the starting year. For the future, it compounds your chosen inflation rate each year.
What is the CPI?
The Consumer Price Index, published monthly by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, measures the average change in prices paid by urban consumers for a basket of goods and services, including housing, food, energy, transportation, medical care and more.
What was $100 in 1990 worth in 2025?
About $246.29, based on CPI-U annual averages of 130.7 in 1990 and 321.9 in 2025.
What inflation rate should I use for the future?
The Federal Reserve targets 2% inflation over time, and U.S. inflation averaged roughly 2.5%–3% over the past few decades. Many planners use 2.5%–3% for long-term planning.