Inflation Calculator
$100 in 2000 buys about the same as $194.53 in August 2026. Consumer prices rose 3.4% in the 12 months to August 2026. That figure comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Future buying power
How it is calculated
We use the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U, U.S. city average, 1982–84 = 100). The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes it. Full years use the annual average. The latest month is August 2026 (334.98), released September 11, 2026.
- CPI in 2000: 172.2. CPI in August 2026: 334.98.
- Ratio: 334.98 ÷ 172.2 = 1.9453.
- Adjusted value: $100 × 1.9453 = $194.53.
- Average yearly inflation 2000–2025: (321.9 ÷ 172.2)1/25 − 1 = 2.53%.
What $100 from past years is worth today
| Year | CPI-U (annual avg.) | $100 then = today | Avg. inflation since |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 24.1 | $1,389.96 | 3.52% |
| 1960 | 29.6 | $1,131.69 | 3.74% |
| 1970 | 38.8 | $863.35 | 3.92% |
| 1980 | 82.4 | $406.53 | 3.07% |
| 1990 | 130.7 | $256.30 | 2.61% |
| 2000 | 172.2 | $194.53 | 2.53% |
| 2010 | 218.1 | $153.59 | 2.63% |
| 2020 | 258.8 | $129.44 | 4.46% |
| 2025 | 321.9 | $104.06 | — |
Recent annual inflation
| Year | Change in annual average CPI-U |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 1.8% |
| 2020 | 1.2% |
| 2021 | 4.7% |
| 2022 | 8% |
| 2023 | 4.1% |
| 2024 | 3% |
| 2025 | 2.6% |
A return only builds wealth if it beats rising prices. That's the whole point of tracking inflation. A savings account that pays less than inflation loses buying power. The balance grows. The buying power shrinks. Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS) and I Bonds from TreasuryDirect are indexed to CPI-U.
Frequently asked questions
What is the current inflation rate?
The CPI-U rose 3.4% in the 12 months ending August 2026. That is from the BLS release of September 11, 2026. The BLS publishes new CPI data every month.
Why use CPI-U?
CPI-U covers more than 90% of the U.S. population. It is the most cited inflation measure. TIPS and I Bonds use it. Social Security cost-of-living adjustments use a related index, CPI-W.
Why doesn't my personal inflation match the CPI?
CPI is an average basket of goods and services. Your basket is not average. If you spend more on rent, gasoline or health care, your own inflation can be higher or lower.
Can I calculate values before 1950?
This calculator covers 1950 onward. For earlier years, the BLS publishes CPI-U back to 1913 on its website.
Not investment advice. These results are estimates. They use the numbers you enter and a constant rate of return. Real returns change every year. They can be negative. They are not guaranteed. Taxes, fees and inflation will change your real results. Talk with a licensed financial professional before you decide.
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Updated: October 2, 2026 · Sources and methodology