How this inflation calculator works
It uses the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) published by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics — the standard measure of US consumer inflation. Each year’s value is the average of that year’s monthly index; the current year uses the most recent month (August 2026).
What $100 from past years is worth in 2026
Average-rate mode
For future planning there’s no CPI yet, so switch to “An average rate”. The Federal Reserve targets 2% inflation over the long run, and US inflation has averaged a little over 3% a year since 1913, so 2–3% is a reasonable planning range.
Why inflation matters
- Cash loses buying power: at 3% inflation, prices double roughly every 24 years.
- Compare salaries, rents and home prices across years in “real” (inflation-adjusted) terms.
- Retirement plans need to grow income over time, not keep it flat.
Related Real Purchasing Power & Wealth Tools
Long-term financial planning must account for the persistent purchasing power erosion of inflation. Model real, inflation-adjusted portfolio returns with our Investment Calculator, project exponential growth using the Compound Interest Calculator, determine future retirement spending needs via the Retirement Calculator, and maximize yield on liquid funds with our Savings Calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the current year's value different from the annual average?
The year isn't over, so the calculator uses the latest published monthly CPI. Values for complete years use the annual average of all published months.
Was any CPI data missing?
Yes. BLS did not collect October 2025 data during the federal government shutdown, so the 2025 average uses the 11 published months.
Does CPI reflect my personal inflation?
Not exactly. CPI tracks a broad basket of goods and services for urban consumers. Your own inflation depends on what you buy — housing, healthcare and childcare costs can rise faster than the average.