What is $25.00 from 1949 worth today?
$25.00 in 1949 is worth $338.17 in 2025, accounting for +1252.7% cumulative inflation.
$25.00 in 1949 is worth
$338.17
in 2025
+1252.7%
+3.49%/yr
How prices changed from 1949 to 2025
| Item | 1949 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gallon of gas | $0.27 | $3.17 | +1074% |
| Loaf of bread | $0.14 | $2.10 | +1400% |
| Movie ticket | $0.46 | $11.50 | +2400% |
| Annual college tuition (public) | $112 | $11,800 | +10436% |
Prices in 1949
| Item | Price in 1949 |
|---|---|
| Gallon of gas | $0.27 |
| Loaf of bread | $0.14 |
| Movie ticket | $0.46 |
| Annual college tuition (public) | $112 |
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Historical Context: Postwar Boom
World War II drove the defining economic story of the 1940s. Massive military spending pushed employment to near-zero and consumer prices surged until wage and price controls were imposed. After the war, pent-up demand and the end of rationing unleashed a sharp burst of inflation in 1946–1948. By decade's end, the GI Bill and postwar prosperity were reshaping the American economy.
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.
What This Means
Over the 76 years from 1949 to 2025, prices increased more than fourfold — a cumulative inflation rate of +1252.7%. The average annual inflation rate over this period was +3.49%, which is roughly in line with the historical average of roughly 3.3% per year.
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