About This Calculator
This inflation calculator uses the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U), series CUUR0000SA0, published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The CPI measures the average change over time in prices paid by urban consumers for a market basket of goods and services.
How the Calculation Works
To find the inflation-adjusted value, we divide the CPI of the target year by the CPI of the base year, then multiply by the original amount:
Adjusted Value = Original Amount × (CPI[target year] / CPI[base year])
Annual average CPI values are used (not monthly data), which provides a stable, representative figure for each calendar year.
Data Source
All data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Annual figures are updated each January when BLS publishes the prior year's data.
Historical Prices Data
The prices comparison table uses nominal (non-adjusted) historical prices compiled from U.S. government and industry sources. Coverage varies by series — earlier years may have fewer data points.
| Item | Source | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Gallon of gas | EIA; BLS CPI gasoline series (pre-1976) | 1913–present |
| Loaf of bread | BLS CPI bread series (WPS012101) | 1913–present |
| New home (median) | U.S. Census Bureau, median new one-family home sale price | 1963–present |
| Median household income | Census Bureau P60 reports; BLS average annual earnings (pre-1967) | 1953–present |
| Movie ticket | NATO (National Association of Theatre Owners) | 1947–present |
| Annual college tuition | NCES Digest of Education Statistics, Table 330.10 (public 4-year) | 1947–present |
Limitations
CPI measures average inflation across urban consumers nationally. Actual purchasing power changes vary by location, income level, and individual spending patterns. Use this tool for general estimates, not precise personal financial planning.