Inflation Calculator
Compare how much a dollar amount from one year is worth in another year using U.S. CPI-U annual average data from 1913 through 2024. For example, $100 in 1950 would be worth about $1,300 today - that's how inflation erodes purchasing power over time.
Inflation Inputs
Enter an amount and choose two years to compare.
Quick Presets
Data source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI-U annual averages (base year 1982-84 = 100). Coverage: 1913-2024.
Purchasing Power
What you could buy then vs. now.
$100.00 in 1990 equals
$240.40
in 2024
A dollar in 1990 had the same buying power as $2.40 in 2024. Prices have risen roughly 140% over this period.
Methodology and limitations
Last reviewed:
Methodology
Uses U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI-U annual average values from the calculator's local data table and scales the entered amount by the target-year CPI divided by the starting-year CPI.
Limitations
Educational buying-power estimate only. The local CPI table currently covers 1913 through 2024 and does not include 2025 or 2026 values, regional CPI differences, or personal spending mix.
Official sources
How Inflation Buying Power Is Calculated
Compare how much a dollar amount from one year is worth in another year using U.S. CPI-U annual average data from 1913 through 2024. For example, $100 in 1950 would be worth about $1,300 today - that's how inflation erodes purchasing power over time.
Method used
This calculator compares CPI-U annual average values for two selected years, then scales the entered amount by the CPI ratio to estimate equivalent buying power.
Adjusted amount = starting amount x (target-year CPI / starting-year CPI)
Practical example
Example: enter $100 from 1990 and compare it with 2024 to estimate the 2024 dollar amount with similar CPI-U buying power.
- $100 starting amount
- Starting year: 1990
- Target year: 2024
The output shows the adjusted amount, cumulative inflation, average annual rate, years covered, and CPI values used.
Assumptions
- Uses CPI-U annual average values in the calculator's local data table.
- The available year range currently runs from 1913 through 2024.
- Results are broad U.S. buying-power estimates, not personal cost-of-living measurements.
What this includes
- Starting amount, starting year, target year, CPI ratio, adjusted amount, cumulative inflation, and average annual rate.
What this excludes
- 2025 or 2026 CPI values, regional CPI differences, personal spending mix, taxes, investment returns, wages, and real-time monthly CPI updates.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How does this inflation calculator work?
Enter a dollar amount and select a starting year and target year. The calculator divides the CPI-U annual average for the target year by the CPI-U annual average for the starting year, then multiplies that ratio by your amount. The result shows what your money would be worth in the target year's dollars - or equivalently, how much you'd need today to match past buying power. It also displays cumulative inflation and the average annual inflation rate between the two years.
What data does the calculator use?
The calculator uses U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI-U (Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers) annual average values from 1913 through 2024. CPI-U measures price changes for a broad basket of goods and services purchased by urban households, including food, housing, transportation, medical care, and apparel. It is the most widely cited U.S. inflation benchmark and is used to adjust Social Security payments, tax brackets, and many government contracts.
Can I calculate 2025 or 2026 inflation?
Not in this version. The local CPI data table currently runs through 2024, so 2025 and 2026 years are not available until the Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes annual averages and the calculator data is updated. For recent inflation estimates, check the latest BLS monthly CPI releases. You can still compare any two years from 1913 through 2024 using the current dataset.
Is this the same as personal cost-of-living inflation?
No. CPI-U is a broad national average for urban consumers and may not match your personal experience. Your cost of living depends on where you live, whether you rent or own, your healthcare needs, commuting costs, and spending habits. Someone with high housing costs in a major city may experience inflation well above the national CPI average. Use this tool for historical comparisons and general context, not as a personal budget forecast.
How much is $100 from 1990 worth today?
Due to cumulative inflation between 1990 and 2024, $100 in 1990 dollars requires substantially more in today's dollars to buy the same goods and services. Enter $100 with 1990 as the starting year and 2024 as the target year to see the exact adjusted amount. The calculator also shows the total percentage increase and average annual inflation rate over that period, helping you understand long-term purchasing power erosion.