CPI Purchasing Power Calculator
Convert any dollar amount between any two years using official US BLS CPI-U data.
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics (CPI-U, CUUR0000SA0) · 1913–2024 · last verified 2026-08-29
How this is calculated
The adjusted amount is the original amount scaled by the ratio of CPI-U index values between the two years: adjusted = amount × (CPI in the target year ÷ CPI in the source year). This tool uses CPI-U, the same index tracked by the Real Income Erosion Calculator. For inflation's effect on your investment returns, see the Inflation Adjusted Return Calculator. For a comparison of purchasing power across countries, see the PPP Salary Converter.
This tool is distinct from the Real Income Erosion Calculator in that it calculates the purchasing power of any dollar amount between any two historical years, while the Real Income Erosion tool focuses on how inflation has eroded a specific income over a recent time window.
Frequently asked questions
- What CPI series does this use?
- US CPI-U (CUUR0000SA0) — the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers, not seasonally adjusted — annual averages from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1913 through 2024.
- Why use CPI-U and not CPI-W?
- CPI-U covers roughly 93% of the US population (all urban consumers), while CPI-W covers a narrower wage-earner subset. CPI-U is the more commonly cited general-purpose inflation measure and the one most calculators and news reports reference.
- How is the adjusted amount calculated?
- Adjusted amount = original amount × (CPI in the target year ÷ CPI in the source year). This scales the amount by the ratio of price levels between the two years.
- Why might results differ from other calculators?
- Small differences typically come from which CPI series is used (CPI-U vs. CPI-W vs. chained CPI), whether monthly or annual-average values are used, and rounding conventions. This tool uses annual average CPI-U throughout for consistency.
- Can I use this in my own app?
- Yes — every calculator on Stupidly Clever has a matching REST API and MCP tool that runs the same underlying logic.