Inflation Rate between 1996-2023 | Inflation Calculator (2024)

The U.S. dollar has lost 48% its value since 1996

Updated: April 12, 2022

$100 in 1996 is equivalent in purchasing power to about $192.37 today, an increase of $92.37 over 27 years. The dollar had an average inflation rate of 2.45% per year between 1996 and today, producing a cumulative price increase of 92.37%.

This means that today's prices are 1.92 times as high as average prices since 1996, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics consumer price index. A dollar today only buys 51.983% of what it could buy back then.

The inflation rate in 1996 was 2.95%. The current inflation rate compared to last year is now 4.98%. If this number holds, $100 today will be equivalent in buying power to $104.98 next year. The current inflation rate page gives more detail on the latest inflation rates.

Contents

  1. Overview
  2. Buying Power of $100
  3. Inflation by City / Country
  4. Inflation by Spending Category
  5. Alternate Measurements
  6. Data Source

Inflation from 1996 to 2023
Cumulative price change92.37%
Average inflation rate2.45%
Converted amount
$100 base
$192.37
Price difference
$100 base
$92.37
CPI in 1996156.900
CPI in 2023301.836
Inflation in 19962.95%
Inflation in 20234.98%
$100 in 1996$192.37 in 2023

USD inflation since 1996

Annual Rate, the Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI

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Buying power of $100 in 1996

This chart shows a calculation of buying power equivalence for $100 in 1996 (price index tracking began in 1635).

For example, if you started with $100, you would need to end with $192.37 in order to "adjust" for inflation (sometimes refered to as "beating inflation").

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When $100 is equivalent to $192.37 over time, that means that the "real value" of a single U.S. dollar decreases over time. In other words, a dollar will pay for fewer items at the store.

This effect explains how inflation erodes the value of a dollar over time. By calculating the value in 1996 dollars, the chart below shows how $100 is worth less over 27 years.

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According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, each of these USD amounts below is equal in terms of what it could buy at the time:

Dollar inflation: 1996-2023
YearDollar ValueInflation Rate
1996$100.002.95%
1997$102.292.29%
1998$103.891.56%
1999$106.182.21%
2000$109.753.36%
2001$112.872.85%
2002$114.661.58%
2003$117.272.28%
2004$120.402.66%
2005$124.473.39%
2006$128.493.23%
2007$132.152.85%
2008$137.223.84%
2009$136.73-0.36%
2010$138.981.64%
2011$143.363.16%
2012$146.332.07%
2013$148.471.46%
2014$150.881.62%
2015$151.060.12%
2016$152.971.26%
2017$156.232.13%
2018$160.122.49%
2019$162.941.76%
2020$164.951.23%
2021$172.704.70%
2022$186.528.00%
2023$192.373.14%*

* Compared to previous annual rate. Not final. See inflation summary for latest 12-month trailing value.

Click to show 21 more rows

This conversion table shows various other 1996 amounts in today's dollars, based on the 92.37% change in prices:

Conversion: 1996 dollars today
Initial valueEquivalent value
$1 dollar in 1996$1.92 dollars today
$5 dollars in 1996$9.62 dollars today
$10 dollars in 1996$19.24 dollars today
$50 dollars in 1996$96.19 dollars today
$100 dollars in 1996$192.37 dollars today
$500 dollars in 1996$961.87 dollars today
$1,000 dollars in 1996$1,923.75 dollars today
$5,000 dollars in 1996$9,618.74 dollars today
$10,000 dollars in 1996$19,237.48 dollars today
$50,000 dollars in 1996$96,187.38 dollars today
$100,000 dollars in 1996$192,374.76 dollars today
$500,000 dollars in 1996$961,873.80 dollars today
$1,000,000 dollars in 1996$1,923,747.61 dollars today

Inflation by City

Inflation can vary widely by city, even within the United States. Here's how some cities fared in 1996 to 2023 (figures shown are purchasing power equivalents of $100):

Seattle, Washington experienced the highest rate of inflation during the 27 years between 1996 and 2023 (4.30%).

Chicago, Illinois experienced the lowest rate of inflation during the 27 years between 1996 and 2023 (2.12%).

Note that some locations showing 0% inflation may have not yet reported latest data.

Inflation by Country

Inflation can also vary widely by country. For comparison, in the UK £100.00 in 1996 would be equivalent to £240.16 in 2023, an absolute change of £140.16 and a cumulative change of 140.16%.

In Canada, CA$100.00 in 1996 would be equivalent to CA$170.20 in 2023, an absolute change of CA$70.20 and a cumulative change of 70.20%.

Compare these numbers to the US's overall absolute change of $92.37 and total percent change of 92.37%.

Inflation by Spending Category

CPI is the weighted combination of many categories of spending that are tracked by the government. Breaking down these categories helps explain the main drivers behind price changes.

Between 1996 and 2023:

This chart shows the average rate of inflation for select CPI categories between 1996 and 2023.

Compare these values to the overall average of 2.45% per year:

CategoryAvg Inflation (%)Total Inflation (%)$100 in 1996 → 2023
Food and beverages2.73106.69206.69
Housing2.72106.32206.32
Apparel-0.02-0.5299.48
Transportation2.2481.68181.68
Medical care3.31140.80240.80
Recreation1.2238.67138.67
Education and communication1.5852.54152.54
Other goods and services3.36143.95243.95

The graph below compares inflation in categories of goods over time. Click on a category such as "Food" to toggle it on or off:

For all these visualizations, it's important to note that not all categories may have been tracked since 1996. This table and charts use the earliest available data for each category.

Inflation rates of specific categories

Medical Care · Housing · Rent · Food · More

Inflation-adjusted measures

S&P 500 price · S&P 500 earnings · Shiller P/E

How to calculate inflation rate for $100 since 1996

Our calculations use the following inflation rate formula to calculate the change in value between 1996 and today:

CPI today CPI in 1996

×

1996 USD value

=

Today's value

Then plug in historical CPI values. The U.S. CPI was 156.9 in the year 1996 and 301.836 in 2023:

301.836156.9

×

$100

=

$192.37

$100 in 1996 has the same "purchasing power" or "buying power" as $192.37 in 2023.

To get the total inflation rate for the 27 years between 1996 and 2023, we use the following formula:

CPI in 2023 - CPI in 1996CPI in 1996

×

100

=

Cumulative inflation rate (27 years)

Plugging in the values to this equation, we get:

301.836 - 156.9156.9

×

100

=

92%

Alternate Measurements of Inflation

There are multiple ways to measure inflation. Published rates of inflation will vary depending on methodology. The Consumer Price Index, used above, is the most common standard used globally.

Alternative measurements are sometimes used based on context and economic/political circ*mstances. Below are a few examples of alternative measurements.

Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Inflation

The PCE Price Index is the U.S. Federal Reserve's preferred measure of inflation, compiled by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. It measures the change in prices of goods and services purchased by consumers.

The PCE Price Index changed by 2.03% per year on average between 1996 and 2023. The total PCE inflation between these dates was 72.15%. In 1996, PCE inflation was 2.14%.

This means that the PCE Index equates $100 in 1996 with $172.15 in 2023, a difference of $72.15. Compare this to the standard CPI measurement, which equates $100 with $192.37. The PCE measured -20.22% inflation compared to standard CPI.

For more information on the difference between PCE and CPI, see this analysis provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Core Inflation

Also of note is the Core CPI, which uses the standard CPI but omits the more volatile categories of food and energy.

Core inflation averaged 2.27% per year between 1996 and 2023 (vs all-CPI inflation of 2.45%), for an inflation total of 83.51%. In 1996, core inflation was 2.71%.

When using the core inflation measurement, $100 in 1996 is equivalent in buying power to $183.51 in 2023, a difference of $83.51. Recall that the converted amount is $192.37 when all items including food and energy are measured.

Comparison to S&P 500 Index

The average inflation rate of 2.45% has a compounding effect between 1996 and 2023. As noted above, this yearly inflation rate compounds to produce an overall price difference of 92.37% over 27 years.

To help put this inflation into perspective, if we had invested $100 in the S&P 500 index in 1996, our investment would be nominally worth approximately $1,109.48 in 2023. This is a return on investment of 1,009.48%, with an absolute return of $1,009.48 on top of the original $100.

These numbers are not inflation adjusted, so they are considered nominal. In order to evaluate the real return on our investment, we must calculate the return with inflation taken into account.

The compounding effect of inflation would account for 48.02% of returns ($532.75) during this period. This means the inflation-adjusted real return of our $100 investment is $476.73. You may also want to account for capital gains tax, which would take your real return down to around $405 for most people.

Investment in S&P 500 Index, 1996-2023
Original AmountFinal AmountChange
Nominal$100$1,109.481,009.48%
Real
Inflation Adjusted
$100$576.73476.73%

Information displayed above may differ slightly from other S&P 500 calculators. Minor discrepancies can occur because we use the latest CPI data for inflation, annualized inflation numbers for previous years, and we compute S&P price and dividends from January of 1996 to latest available data for 2023 using average monthly close price.

For more details on the S&P 500 between 1996 and 2023, see the stock market returns calculator.

Data source & citation

Raw data for these calculations comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Consumer Price Index (CPI), established in 1913. Inflation data from 1634 to 1912 is sourced from a historical study conducted by political science professor Robert Sahr at Oregon State University and from the American Antiquarian Society.

You may use the following MLA citation for this page: “Value of 1996 dollars today | Inflation Calculator.” Official Inflation Data, Alioth Finance, 12 Apr. 2023, https://www.officialdata.org/us/inflation/1996.

Special thanks to QuickChart for their chart image API, which is used for chart downloads.

in2013dollars.com is a reference website maintained by the Official Data Foundation.

Inflation Rate between 1996-2023 | Inflation Calculator (1)

About the author

Ian Webster is an engineer and data expert based in San Mateo, California. He has worked for Google, NASA, and consulted for governments around the world on data pipelines and data analysis. Disappointed by the lack of clear resources on the impacts of inflation on economic indicators, Ian believes this website serves as a valuable public tool. Ian earned his degree in Computer Science from Dartmouth College.

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Inflation Rate between 1996-2023 | Inflation Calculator (2024)

FAQs

Inflation Rate between 1996-2023 | Inflation Calculator? ›

Core inflation averaged 2.02% per year between 1996 and 2020 (vs all-CPI inflation of 2.11%), for an inflation total of 61.69%.

How much has inflation increase since 1996? ›

Core inflation averaged 2.02% per year between 1996 and 2020 (vs all-CPI inflation of 2.11%), for an inflation total of 61.69%.

How do you calculate inflation rate between years? ›

Here are the steps:
  1. Find the average price in both years: $1.60 in 1992 and $2.62 in 2012.
  2. Enter the data into the equation.
  3. Subtract the 1992 price from the 2012 price ($1.02)
  4. Divide the difference by the original price. ($1.02 ÷ $1.60 = 0.6375)
  5. Multiply the previous answer by 100 to get a percentage.
Feb 19, 2023

How do you calculate inflation rate over 10 years? ›

Subtract the past date CPI from the current date CPI and divide your answer by the past date CPI. Multiply the results by 100. Your answer is the inflation rate as a percentage.

What was inflation from 1997 to 2023? ›

Core inflation averaged 2.28% per year between 1997 and 2023 (vs all-CPI inflation of 2.48%), for an inflation total of 79.69%. In 1997, core inflation was 2.38%.

What was the inflation rate between 1996 and 2023? ›

Core inflation averaged 2.27% per year between 1996 and 2023 (vs all-CPI inflation of 2.45%), for an inflation total of 83.51%. In 1996, core inflation was 2.71%.

How much is $100 000 in 1996 worth today? ›

$100,000 in 1996 is equivalent in purchasing power to about $193,347.99 today, an increase of $93,347.99 over 27 years.
...
Value of $100,000 from 1996 to 2023.
Cumulative price change93.35%
Average inflation rate2.47%
Converted amount $100,000 base$193,347.99
Price difference $100,000 base$93,347.99
CPI in 1996156.900
4 more rows

How much inflation in 25 years? ›

Future Inflation Rate: We assume a 2.5% future inflation rate because that is the average of the last 25 years (but you can adjust this).

What is the number of years for inflation to double? ›

According to the rule of 70, a variable growing at a constant annual rate will double itself in approximately “70 / growth rate in percentage” years. We can use this to approximate the time it takes for the price level to double. Therefore, the price level will double in 35 years when growing at a rate of 2% per year.

How much will $1 million dollars be worth in 30 years? ›

Based upon the numbers above, you will be a millionaire in 30 years. If you start today, that means you'll reach your goal in before-inflation terms in 2053. Your million dollar savings will be worth $411,987 in todays' dollars (inflation adjusted) at that time.

What is the rolling 10 year average of inflation? ›

United States - 10-Year Breakeven Inflation Rate was 2.28% in April of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, United States - 10-Year Breakeven Inflation Rate reached a record high of 3.02 in April of 2022 and a record low of 0.04 in November of 2008.

What is 20 years average inflation? ›

Basic Info. 20-Year Breakeven Inflation Rate is at 2.47%, compared to 2.51% last month and 2.86% last year. This is higher than the long term average of 2.21%.

How much inflation in the last 40 years? ›

During the observation period from 1960 to 2022, the average inflation rate was 3.8% per year. Overall, the price increase was 903.96%. An item that cost 100 dollars in 1960 costs 1,003.96 dollars at the beginning of 2023. For April 2023, the year-over-year inflation rate was 4.9%.

What is the highest inflation rate in US history? ›

Inflation Rate in the United States averaged 3.30 percent from 1914 until 2023, reaching an all time high of 23.70 percent in June of 1920 and a record low of -15.80 percent in June of 1921.

How much is $1 dollar in 1997 worth today? ›

Value of $1 from 1997 to 2023

$1 in 1997 is equivalent in purchasing power to about $1.89 today, an increase of $0.89 over 26 years. The dollar had an average inflation rate of 2.48% per year between 1997 and today, producing a cumulative price increase of 89.01%.

What was inflation from 1995 to 2023? ›

Core inflation averaged 2.30% per year between 1995 and 2023 (vs all-CPI inflation of 2.49%), for an inflation total of 88.95%. In 1995, core inflation was 2.99%. When using the core inflation measurement, $1 in 1995 is equivalent in buying power to $1.89 in 2023, a difference of $0.89.

How much is $1 million in 1996 worth today? ›

$1,000,000 in 1996 is equivalent in purchasing power to about $1,933,479.92 today, an increase of $933,479.92 over 27 years. The dollar had an average inflation rate of 2.47% per year between 1996 and today, producing a cumulative price increase of 93.35%.

What is the annual inflation rate in the US 2023? ›

Below is a chart and table displaying annual US inflation rates for calendar years from 2000 and 2013 to 2023. For inflation rates in prior years, please refer to historical inflation rates.
...
Current US Inflation Rates: 2000-2023.
ElementAnnual Inflation Rate
20226.5
2023*5
9 more rows

What is the predicted inflation rate for 2023 and 2024? ›

Global inflation is expected to fall from 8.8 percent in 2022 to 6.6 percent in 2023 and 4.3 percent in 2024, still above pre-pandemic (2017–19) levels of about 3.5 percent.

What is $2 million in 1996 worth today? ›

Value of $2,000,000 from 1996 to 2023

$2,000,000 in 1996 is equivalent in purchasing power to about $3,847,495.22 today, an increase of $1,847,495.22 over 27 years.

How much is $4 dollars in 1996 worth today? ›

$4 in 1996 is equivalent in purchasing power to about $7.69 today, an increase of $3.69 over 27 years.

How much is $86,000 in 1996 worth today? ›

$86,000 in 1996 is worth $165,442.29 today.

How much will $50,000 be worth in 30 years inflation? ›

For example, if your current income is $50,000 per year and you assume a 4.0% inflation figure, in 30 years you would need the equivalent of $162,170 to maintain the same standard of living!

What is the US 30 years inflation? ›

Basic Info. 30-Year Breakeven Inflation Rate is at 2.23%, compared to 2.26% last month and 2.55% last year. This is higher than the long term average of 2.12%.

How bad will inflation get in 2030? ›

The dollar had an average inflation rate of 3.08% per year between 2022 and 2030, producing a cumulative price increase of 27.49%. The buying power of $1,000,000 in 2022 is predicted to be equivalent to $1,274,870.28 in 2030. This calculation is based on future inflation assumption of 3.00% per year.

Will inflation eat my savings? ›

Over time, inflation can reduce the value of your savings, because prices typically go up in the future. This is most noticeable with cash. If you keep $10,000 under your bed, that money may not be able to buy as much 20 years into the future.

What is the highest inflation in 45 years? ›

Food and drink inflation accelerated to 18.2% in the year to February 2023, the highest level of inflation in the past 45 years, according to the latest figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS).

Could $5 million dollars last a lifetime? ›

Yes, you can retire at 50 with five million dollars. At age 50, an annuity will provide a guaranteed income of $268,750 annually, starting immediately for the rest of the insured's lifetime.

Can I live off interest on a million dollars? ›

Once you have $1 million in assets, you can look seriously at living entirely off the returns of a portfolio. After all, the S&P 500 alone averages 10% returns per year. Setting aside taxes and down-year investment portfolio management, a $1 million index fund could provide $100,000 annually.

Will $10 million dollars last a lifetime? ›

Can 10 million dollars last a lifetime? Yes, $10 million dollars can last a lifetime, even with the most risk-free investments. The important thing is not to spend more each year than your income for the year.

What is the best inflation rate per year? ›

The Federal Reserve uses monetary policy to achieve its target rate of 2% inflation.

What is a good inflation rate per year? ›

The Federal Reserve has not established a formal inflation target, but policymakers generally believe that an acceptable inflation rate is around 2 percent or a bit below.

How much inflation per year is good? ›

The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) judges that inflation of 2 percent over the longer run, as measured by the annual change in the price index for personal consumption expenditures, is most consistent with the Federal Reserve's mandate for maximum employment and price stability.

How do you beat inflation? ›

How to Beat Inflation
  1. Treasury Inflation Protected Securities (TIPS) ...
  2. Index Funds. ...
  3. Commodities. ...
  4. Start a Business. ...
  5. Lock in Higher Interest Rates on Cash Accounts. ...
  6. Lock in Lower Fixed Rates on Debt. ...
  7. Invest in Good Businesses with Low Capital Needs. ...
  8. Avoid Traditional Bonds.
Feb 17, 2023

Why was inflation so high in the 80s? ›

But the impetus for the great inflation of the 1970s and 1980s goes back at least to the mid-1960s, to President Lyndon B. Johnson's “guns and butter” spending on the Vietnam War and the Great Society, which the Federal Reserve accommodated with loose monetary policies.

What will inflation look like in 2040? ›

Buying power of $100 in 2040

Future inflation is estimated at 3.00%. When $100 is equivalent to $289.71 over time, that means that the "real value" of a single U.S. dollar decreases over time. In other words, a dollar will pay for fewer items at the store.

Which president had the highest inflation rate? ›

Jimmy Carter served for four years, from 1977 to 1981, and his presidency was unusual when you look at the numbers. His presidency had by far the highest GDP growth, more than 1% higher than President Joe Biden thus far. But he also had the highest inflation rate and the third-highest unemployment rate.

Why is US inflation so high? ›

Money supply: When people experience an increase in income or spending opportunities, they are more likely to spend before they save. This often causes more demand than there is supply. This cause is linked to demand-pull inflation.

What has inflation averaged the last 50 years? ›

If you had $100,000 in the bank in 1961, for example, the current equivalent would be $757,676, reflecting the 657% increase in the cost of living in half a century.

Has there ever been negative inflation? ›

The deflation that took place at the outset of the Great Depression was the most dramatic that the U.S. has ever experienced. 1 Prices dropped an average of nearly 7% every year between the years of 1930 and 1933. 4 In addition to a drop in prices, there was also a dramatic drop in output during the Great Depression.

What is inflation rate in China? ›

China Inflation Rate is at 0.10%, compared to 0.70% last month and 2.10% last year. This is lower than the long term average of 1.95%.

Will food prices go down in 2023? ›

Food prices are expected to grow more slowly in 2023 than in 2022 but still at above historical-average rates. In 2023, all food prices are predicted to increase 6.5 percent, with a prediction interval of 4.9 to 8.2 percent.

What would $1 in the 70s be worth today? ›

Value of $1 from 1970 to 2023

$1 in 1970 is equivalent in purchasing power to about $7.44 today, an increase of $6.44 over 53 years.

What year is the most valuable dollar? ›

1870-S Seated Liberty Silver Dollar - This is the rarest regular-issue US coin, with only one known example in existence. It was discovered in a private collection in 1972 and sold for $750,000 at auction that same year.

What year was the dollar worth the most? ›

Historically, the United States Dollar reached an all time high of 164.72 in February of 1985. United States Dollar - data, forecasts, historical chart - was last updated on May of 2023.

How much will inflation rise in 2050? ›

The dollar had an average inflation rate of 3.44% per year between 2020 and 2050, producing a cumulative price increase of 175.81%. The buying power of $50,000 in 2020 is predicted to be equivalent to $137,902.72 in 2050. This calculation is based on future inflation assumption of 3.22% per year.

What was inflation from 1990 to 2023? ›

Core inflation averaged 2.49% per year between 1990 and 2023 (vs all-CPI inflation of 2.58%), for an inflation total of 124.85%. In 1990, core inflation was 5.03%. When using the core inflation measurement, $1 in 1990 is equivalent in buying power to $2.25 in 2023, a difference of $1.25.

What was inflation from 1999 to 2023? ›

Core inflation averaged 2.29% per year between 1999 and 2023 (vs all-CPI inflation of 2.53%), for an inflation total of 72.10%. In 1999, core inflation was 2.08%. When using the core inflation measurement, $1 in 1999 is equivalent in buying power to $1.72 in 2023, a difference of $0.72.

How much has inflation increased over the last 30 years? ›

During the observation period from 1960 to 2022, the average inflation rate was 3.8% per year. Overall, the price increase was 903.96%. An item that cost 100 dollars in 1960 costs 1,003.96 dollars at the beginning of 2023. For April 2023, the year-over-year inflation rate was 4.9%.

What is the average inflation rate for the last 10 years? ›

Key takeaways. Over the past 10 years, inflation has averaged 1.88%. 2022 showed an annual inflation rate of 8%. The U.S. experienced deflation in the 1930s and high rates of inflation in the 1970s and early 1980s.

What is the 10 year average inflation rate? ›

United States - 10-Year Breakeven Inflation Rate was 2.22% in May of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, United States - 10-Year Breakeven Inflation Rate reached a record high of 3.02 in April of 2022 and a record low of 0.04 in November of 2008.

What is the average rate of inflation over 20 years? ›

Basic Info. 20-Year Breakeven Inflation Rate is at 2.47%, compared to 2.51% last month and 2.86% last year. This is higher than the long term average of 2.21%.

Who benefit from inflation? ›

Collectors. Historically, collectibles like fine art, wine, or baseball cards can benefit from inflationary periods as the dollar loses purchasing power. During high inflation, investors often turn to hard assets that are more likely to retain their value through market volatility.

What is a healthy inflation rate? ›

The ideal inflation rate is 2%. When inflation exceeds this figure, the Fed raises interest rates to slow down the economy for the next few months.

What is the long term inflation rate in the US? ›

US Inflation Rate is at 4.98%, compared to 6.04% last month and 8.54% last year. This is higher than the long term average of 3.28%.

Has the US ever experienced hyperinflation? ›

The U.S. hasn't experienced hyperinflation. The inflation rate reached 23% in 1920 and 14% in 1980 (nowhere near the 50% benchmark for hyperinflation). The government watches inflation rates closely. When necessary, the Fed steps in to slow rising inflation using monetary policy.

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