US Inflation from 1950 to 1955
US inflation from 1950 to 1955 was +11.2%. $100 in 1950 had the same purchasing power as $111.20 in 1955 (avg. +2.15%/yr).
$100.00 in 1950 is worth
$111.20
in 1955
+11.2%
+2.15%/yr
How prices changed from 1950 to 1955
| Item | 1950 | 1955 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gallon of gas | $0.27 | $0.29 | +7% |
| Loaf of bread | $0.14 | $0.17 | +21% |
| Movie ticket | $0.53 | $0.60 | +13% |
| Annual college tuition (public) | $135 | $155 | +15% |
What Drove Inflation from 1950 to 1955
The 1950s were a period of broad prosperity and moderate inflation. Returning veterans, rising wages, suburban expansion, and the baby boom fueled consumer demand. The Korean War brought a brief inflationary spike in 1950–51, but the Federal Reserve tightened policy to contain it. For most of the decade, annual inflation remained below 3%, supporting strong real wage growth and rising living standards.
The end of wartime controls unleashed a burst of inflation in 1946–48 as pent-up consumer demand met supply shortages. After that adjustment, the postwar boom settled into a long era of moderate inflation and strong real growth. The GI Bill, suburban expansion, a baby boom, and rising consumer spending drove prosperity. Inflation averaged around 2% per year through most of the 1950s and early 1960s.
Understanding the Numbers
Over these 5 years, prices rose modestly — a total inflation rate of +11.2%. The annualized rate of +2.15% per year was below the historical average of roughly 3.3% per year.
Compare Other Periods
Starting from 1950:
Ending in 1955: