Inflation Calculator
Calculate how inflation affects purchasing power over time. See future costs and historical equivalents adjusted for inflation.
Inflation Impact
Future Cost
$13,439
in 10 years at 3%
Purchasing Power Lost
25.6%
$2,559
Calculation Type
Choose forward or backward calculation
Amount
Enter the value to calculate
Inflation Rate & Period
Set the annual inflation rate and time
What This Means
At 3% annual inflation, you'll need $13,439 in 10 years to buy what $10,000 buys today. Your $10,000 will only have $7,441 of purchasing power.
Purchasing Power Erosion
Visual representation of inflation impact
Year-by-Year Breakdown
Detailed inflation impact by year
| Year | Cost of Same Goods | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $10,000 | - |
| 2027 | $10,300 | +3.0% |
| 2028 | $10,609 | +6.1% |
| 2029 | $10,927 | +9.3% |
| 2030 | $11,255 | +12.6% |
| 2031 | $11,593 | +15.9% |
| 2032 | $11,941 | +19.4% |
| 2033 | $12,299 | +23.0% |
| 2034 | $12,668 | +26.7% |
| 2035 | $13,048 | +30.5% |
| 2036 | $13,439 | +34.4% |
Inflation Impact Reference
Compare different inflation scenarios
| Years | 2% Inflation | 3% Inflation | 5% Inflation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 years | $11,041 | $11,593 | $12,763 |
| 10 years | $12,190 | $13,439 | $16,289 |
| 20 years | $14,859 | $18,061 | $26,533 |
| 30 years | $18,114 | $24,273 | $43,219 |
Shows future cost of $10,000 at different inflation rates.
Inflation Impact
Future Cost
$13,439
in 10 years at 3%
Purchasing Power Lost
25.6%
$2,559
Quick Answer
An inflation calculator shows how purchasing power changes over time. To calculate future value with inflation: Future = Present × (1 + inflation rate)^years. At 3% annual inflation, 100 today = 134.39 in 10 years (same purchasing power). The US averages 3% inflation historically. Calculate at practicalwebtools.com.
Key Facts
- US historical average inflation: approximately 3% annually
- 1 in 1970 = 8.10 in 2024 purchasing power
- Inflation erodes savings if return < inflation rate
- The Fed targets 2% annual inflation
- Recent inflation: 6.5% (2022), 3.4% (2023), 2.9% (2024)
- "Real return" = nominal return minus inflation
- Inflation affects different goods at different rates
Adjust Inflation Rate
See how different inflation rates affect purchasing power over time
Personalized Insights
3 insights based on your inputs
Note
3% inflation is moderate. Your investments should target at least 6% returns to build real wealth.
Note
To earn a 4% real return after 3% inflation, you need investments returning at least 7%. Historically, stocks average ~10% while bonds average ~5%.
Note
To maintain $10,000 of purchasing power in 10 years, you'll need $13,439. Plan your retirement and savings goals accordingly.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Inflation is the rate at which prices increase over time, reducing purchasing power. If inflation is 3%, something costing $100 today will cost $103 next year. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures inflation in the US. Historical average is ~3% annually.
Inflation erodes purchasing power. At 3% inflation, $10,000 today buys only $7,374 worth of goods in 10 years. Your savings need to earn at least the inflation rate to maintain value. Stocks historically beat inflation; savings accounts often don't.
Real return = Nominal return - Inflation. If investments earn 8% and inflation is 3%, real return is ~5%. This is actual purchasing power gained. Always consider real returns when evaluating investments, especially for retirement planning.
Inflation hedges: stocks (historically beat inflation), real estate, TIPS (Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities), I-Bonds (up to $10k/year), commodities. Avoid long-term fixed income during high inflation. Diversification is key.
US CPI annual averages: 1920s: 0%, 1970s: 7.1%, 1980s: 5.6%, 2000s: 2.6%, 2010s: 1.8%, 2021-2022: 7-9%. Long-term average is ~3%. The Fed targets 2% inflation. High inflation (>5%) significantly impacts purchasing power.
Inflation Impact
Future Cost
$13,439
in 10 years at 3%
Purchasing Power Lost
25.6%
$2,559