Inflation Calculator & Basket of Goods Comparison
Calculate buying power and track specific inflation rates for Housing, Medical Care, and Food over the last 40 years.
General Buying Power
Sector Breakdown (Same Amount)
About
Standard inflation calculators use the Headline CPI (Consumer Price Index) to estimate general buying power. However, this aggregate number hides significant disparities in specific sectors. While the cost of electronics may have dropped, the cost of medical care and housing often outpaces the general inflation rate significantly. A retiree spends money differently than a young renter, making the "average" inflation rate misleading for individual financial planning.
This tool breaks down the devaluation of currency into specific baskets of goods: Housing, Medical Care, Food & Beverages, and Energy. Use this to understand the real impact of economic shifts on your specific budget needs.
Formulas
The adjusted price Padj is calculated using the ratio of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the target year relative to the base year:
Cumulative Inflation Rate R is defined as:
Reference Data
| Sector | 1984 Cost | 2024 Equivalent | Avg. Annual Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Items (Headline) | $100.00 | $304.00 | 2.8% |
| Housing | $100.00 | $330.00 | 3.1% |
| Medical Care | $100.00 | $580.00 | 4.5% |
| Food & Beverages | $100.00 | $295.00 | 2.7% |
| Apparel | $100.00 | $135.00 | 0.8% |
| College Tuition | $100.00 | $1,400.00 | 6.8% |