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MoneyMath

Inflation Calculator (1970–2050)

What would your money be worth in today's dollars — or in future dollars? Uses historical US CPI data (1970–2025) and customizable future inflation assumptions.

🟢 Updated April 2026👤 Reviewed by MoneyMath Editorial⚡ Runs in your browser · no data sent
$
$100 in 2000 =
$205
in 2026 · avg 2.79%/year inflation
Original amount$100
Equivalent in target year$205
Increase$105
Average annual inflation rate2.79%
Total years elapsed26
Show the formula
future value = amount × ∏(1 + CPI_y) for historical years
+ amount × (1 + projected_rate)^future_years
historical US CPI: ~3% long-run avg

Why inflation math matters

A dollar today buys less than it did 30 years ago. The reverse: your grandparents' "expensive" house might be cheap in today's dollars. Inflation is the invisible erosion of purchasing power — about 3% per year on long-term US average, with wild swings (15% in the 1970s, <2% in the 2010s, ~8% in 2022).

Historical US inflation by decade

  • 1970s: 7.5% average (oil shocks, Vietnam deficit)
  • 1980s: 5.6% (Volcker disinflation)
  • 1990s: 3.0% (tech boom, cheap imports)
  • 2000s: 2.6% (Greenspan era)
  • 2010s: 1.8% (post-GFC slack)
  • 2020s (so far): ~4.8% avg (COVID supply + fiscal stimulus)

How to hedge against inflation

  • Stocks: Equities historically return 7% real (above inflation). Best long-term hedge.
  • TIPS (Treasury Inflation Protected Securities): Principal adjusts with CPI. Pay ~1-2% real rate.
  • I-Bonds: Treasury savings bonds paying inflation + fixed rate. Max $10k/year direct, $5k with tax refund.
  • Real estate: Rents and home values typically track inflation over long periods.
  • Commodities/gold: Volatile but historically inflation-correlated.
  • Not cash: HYSA at 4-5% just keeps pace with high inflation and loses in normal years.

Fun facts from the data

  • $100 in 1970 = ~$800 in 2026 (8x purchasing power loss over 56 years)
  • $10 gas in 1990 = the "same" as ~$22 today
  • A 1970 McDonald's burger at $0.35 = ~$2.80 today in real dollars (McDonald's actually costs more, reflecting real price increases beyond inflation)
  • A $60,000 salary in 2000 = ~$108,000 in 2026 just to maintain the same lifestyle

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the source of the CPI data?

US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U). We use decade-average rates for simplicity; for exact year-over-year calculations use the BLS CPI Inflation Calculator directly at bls.gov/data/inflation_calculator.htm.

How accurate is this for future years?

As good as your inflation assumption. The Fed targets 2% long-run, but actual inflation can deviate for decades (1970s, early 2020s). For long-term financial planning, use 2.5-3.5% as a reasonable range.

Is inflation the same for everyone?

No. CPI is a basket. Your "personal inflation rate" depends on what YOU buy. Healthcare inflates faster than 3% (typically 5-6%). Tech products deflate. Rent varies by city. Middle-class families with kids usually face inflation 1-2% higher than the headline CPI.

Does this include hedonic adjustments?

BLS CPI does adjust for product quality improvements (called hedonic adjustments). Critics argue this understates "true" inflation felt by consumers. Alternative measures (ShadowStats) show higher numbers. We use BLS-reported CPI as the standard.

How does inflation affect my retirement plan?

Massively. A $1M retirement target today needs to be $2.1M in 30 years at 2.5% inflation just to have the same purchasing power. Inflation-adjust your retirement goal AND your withdrawal rates. The 4% rule assumes inflation-adjusted withdrawals.