How the math works
Every year has a CPI-U value reflecting average prices that year. Dividing the index for the target year by the index for the starting year gives the multiplier — multiply your amount by that, and you get the equivalent buying power.
A worked example
$100 in 2000 had the same buying power as roughly $187 in 2025 — about 87% cumulative inflation over 25 years, averaging around 2.5% a year.
Frequently asked questions
What exactly is CPI-U?
The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers tracks the average change in prices paid by urban consumers for a fixed basket of goods and services — food, housing, transportation, medical care and more. It's the U.S. government's primary measure of inflation and the basis for this calculator.
Why does this only go back to 1913?
That's when the Bureau of Labor Statistics' modern CPI series begins. Earlier price estimates exist from other sources but aren't part of the official BLS series this calculator is built on.
Can I use this to compare two years in the past, not just past-to-present?
Yes — pick any two years and the calculator works in either direction, including comparing two historical years to each other rather than to the present.
Why might this not match exactly how expensive something felt to me personally?
CPI-U tracks a broad, fixed basket of goods nationally — your personal spending mix (housing market, region, lifestyle) can diverge significantly from the national average, especially for big-ticket categories like housing or healthcare that vary a lot by location.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, CPI-U, U.S. city average, all items, annual averages. Provided for general informational purposes only and is not financial advice.