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Inflation Calculator — Adjust Prices

See how inflation changes the value of your money over time

Using actual CPI data (1913-2025)

Inflation Results

$1,000.00 in 2000 is equivalent to

$1,817.65

in 2024 dollars

Total Inflation
81.8%
Over 24 years
Avg Annual Rate
2.52%
From CPI data
Purchasing Power
$550.16
$1,000.00 in 2024 buys this in 2000

Salary Comparison

To maintain the same purchasing power, a $1,000.00 salary in 2000 would need to be $1,817.65 in 2024.

2000

$1,000

2024

$1,818

Value Over Time

How the equivalent value of $1,000 from 2000 grows in nominal terms

Notable Inflation Periods

1970s Oil Crisis

1973-1982 (Avg 9.2%/yr)

Great Moderation

1983-2007 (Avg 3.0%/yr)

Great Recession

2008-2009 (Near 0%)

Post-COVID Surge

2021-2023 (Avg 6.5%/yr)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q

What is the average US inflation rate?

The average US inflation rate since 1913 has been approximately 3.22% per year. However, inflation varies significantly from year to year. Recent decades have seen lower average rates around 2-3%, while the 1970s and early 1980s experienced double-digit inflation. The Federal Reserve targets a 2% annual inflation rate.

Q

How does inflation affect purchasing power?

Inflation reduces purchasing power over time, meaning the same amount of money buys fewer goods and services. For example, $100 in 2000 has the same purchasing power as approximately $181 in 2024 due to cumulative inflation. This means goods that cost $100 in 2000 now cost about $181.

Q

What is the difference between nominal and real value?

Nominal value is the face value of money without adjusting for inflation. Real value adjusts for inflation to reflect actual purchasing power. For example, if you earned $50,000 in 2000 and $70,000 in 2024, your nominal income increased, but after adjusting for inflation, your real income may have stayed the same or decreased.

Q

How is inflation measured?

Inflation is primarily measured using the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which tracks the average change in prices paid by consumers for a basket of goods and services. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) publishes CPI data monthly. Other measures include the Producer Price Index (PPI) and the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) index.

Q

Why should I care about inflation for financial planning?

Inflation is critical for financial planning because it erodes the real value of savings and fixed income over time. A retirement fund that seems sufficient today may fall short in 20-30 years. Investment returns should be evaluated after inflation (real returns) to understand actual wealth growth.

Example Calculations

1$1,000 from 2000 to 2024

Inputs

Initial Amount$1,000
Start Year2000
End Year2024
Inflation Rate3.22% (US average)

Result

Adjusted Value$2,139.59
Total Inflation113.96%
Purchasing Power of $1,000 (2024) in 2000$467.39

Using the formula: $1,000 × (1 + 0.0322)^24 = $2,139.59. This means $1,000 in 2000 has the equivalent buying power of $2,139.59 in 2024.

2$50,000 Salary Adjustment (10 Years)

Inputs

Initial Amount$50,000
Start Year2014
End Year2024
Inflation Rate3.22%

Result

Adjusted Value$68,627.16
Total Inflation37.25%
Purchasing Power$36,424.72

$50,000 × (1.0322)^10 = $68,627.16. A $50,000 salary in 2014 would need to be $68,627.16 in 2024 to maintain the same purchasing power.

Formulas Used

Inflation-Adjusted Value

Adjusted Value = Original Amount × (1 + rate)^years

Calculate the future equivalent value of a sum of money after accounting for inflation over a period of years.

Where:

Original Amount= The starting dollar amount
rate= Annual inflation rate as a decimal (e.g., 0.0322 for 3.22%)
years= Number of years between start and end

Purchasing Power

Purchasing Power = Amount / (1 + rate)^years

Calculate how much a current dollar amount is worth in past dollars, showing the real purchasing power.

Where:

Amount= The current dollar amount
rate= Annual inflation rate as a decimal
years= Number of years to look back

Understanding Inflation and Its Impact

Inflation is the rate at which the general level of prices for goods and services rises, eroding purchasing power over time. Understanding inflation helps with financial decisions from retirement planning to salary negotiations to investment strategy.

The most common measure of inflation in the United States is the Consumer Price Index (CPI), published monthly by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The CPI tracks the price of a representative basket of goods and services, including food, housing, transportation, medical care, and recreation. When the CPI rises, it means the average consumer is paying more for the same goods and services.

For financial planning purposes, it is important to consider inflation when setting savings goals, evaluating investment returns, and planning for retirement. A common rule of thumb is to ensure your investments earn a real return (after inflation) of at least 2-4% per year to maintain and grow your purchasing power over time.

Related Financial Resources

  • Compound Interest Calculator

    Calculate compound interest on your investments

  • Retirement Calculator

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  • Investment Calculator

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  • Savings Calculator

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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2026

This calculator is provided for informational and educational purposes only. Results are estimates and should not be considered professional financial, medical, legal, or other advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making important decisions. UseCalcPro is not responsible for any actions taken based on calculator results.

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