Inflation Calculator: 1980 to 2026 📉
See what $1 in 1980 is worth today, using historical CPI patterns from 1980 onward.
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About Inflation Calculator: 1980 to 2026
See what $1 in 1980 is worth today, using historical CPI patterns from 1980 onward.
Frequently asked questions
The 1980s saw sharp early inflation (peaked over 13% in 1980) that moderated; from the 1990s onward inflation generally tracked 2–3%, with a noticeable 2021–2023 spike.
2–3% is the typical long-run average for the US. Use a higher rate (4–5%) if you want a conservative planning view.
The compound formula matches CPI only when actual inflation equals your assumed rate. Real CPI bounces year to year.
Cash held at 0% loses purchasing power every year inflation is positive. Even a 4% HYSA barely keeps up when inflation runs 3%.