Compare an amount across published 2000–2025 BLS CPI-U annual averages or model a clearly labeled constant-rate inflation scenario in either direction.
A quick decision brief for this specific tool
Amount plus either two supported annual-average CPI-U years or a constant annual rate and signed year direction
Equivalent amount, cumulative price change, annualized change, purchasing-power context, and an auditable year-by-year path
Historical mode uses the direct ratio of BLS CPI-U U.S. city average annual indexes for 2000–2025; scenario mode compounds one user-entered constant annual rate
Choose your path
Compare money across published CPI-U annual-average years or explore a clearly labeled constant-rate inflation scenario without mixing historical data and forecasts.
Translate an amount between two published CPI years.
Choose historical CPI-U mode, select two supported years, and inspect the index ratio and yearly path.
Can reproduce the result from the displayed BLS indexes and sees no estimated future year presented as history.
Stress-test a future cost with a constant inflation assumption.
Choose custom-rate mode, enter amount/rate/year direction, and compare equivalent amount and purchasing power.
Understands the fixed rate is a scenario rather than a forecast and reverse direction uses the reciprocal factor.
Verify source and direction quickly on a phone.
Swap years, open the CPI reference, and inspect the compact breakdown.
All controls remain named/tap-sized and the displayed source and year basis are unambiguous.
This tool is part of these guided projects. Each project provides step-by-step instructions with checklists and all the tools you need in one place.
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Inflation erodes purchasing power over time. The same dollar amount buys less as prices rise.
Future Value = Present Value × (1 + Inflation Rate)^YearsReal value adjusts for inflation to show true purchasing power. Nominal value is the face amount without adjustment.
Real Value = Nominal Value ÷ (1 + Inflation Rate)^YearsHistorical mode uses the direct ratio of BLS CPI-U U.S. city average annual indexes. Reverse comparisons use the reciprocal ratio, and unsupported or future years are not filled with assumed inflation.
Equivalent Amount = Amount × (End-Year CPI-U Index ÷ Start-Year CPI-U Index)Updated: August 2026
Estimating how much $50,000 in today's dollars will need to be in 2046 to maintain the same purchasing power.
→ Equivalent future amount: ~$90,300
Compare $100 using the published CPI-U annual-average indexes of 172.2 for 2000 and 321.943 for 2025.
→ 2025 equivalent: about $186.96
Swap two supported CPI years to verify that the reverse factor is the reciprocal of the forward comparison.
A 7% investment return with 3% inflation yields only 4% real return. Plan retirement income needs in today's dollars, then inflate the target.
Healthcare, education, and housing often inflate faster than CPI. Budget categories may need different inflation assumptions than the general rate.
Compare published U.S. CPI-U annual averages or explore a fixed-rate scenario locally in your browser. Historical mode cites its index basis; scenario mode is not a forecast.