The cumulative inflation rate in the United States between 1960 and 2020 was 775.1%, meaning that overall prices were 8.75 times higher than they were in 1960. In other words, the purchasing power of $1 in 1960 was equivalent to $8.75 in 2020. The average annual inflation rate over this period was 3.68%.
The chart below shows how the value of $1 changes over time when adjusted for inflation, based on Consumer Price Index (CPI) data. All values are equivalent in terms of purchasing power, indicating how much money would be needed each year to buy the same goods or services.
All calculations are performed in US dollars with six-decimal precision, though displayed values are rounded to two decimals for readability. Inflation figures are sourced from official government and international reports released monthly.
The following table contains relevant indicators:
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Cumulative inflation from 1960 to 2020 | 775.1% |
| Avg. Annual inflation from 1960 to 2020 | 3.68% |
| CPI 1960 | 29.58 |
| CPI 2020 | 258.81 |
There are several ways to calculate the time value of money. Depending on the data available, results can be obtained by using the Consumer Price Index (CPI) formula or the compound interest formula.
When we have both the start and end years, we can use the following formula:
To obtain the values equivalent in buying power between 1960 and 2020, use the corresponding CPI values:
Given that money changes with time as a result of an inflation rate that acts as compound interest, we can use the following formula: FV = PV × (1 + i)n, where:
In this case, the future value represents the final amount obtained after applying the inflation rate to our initial value. In other words, it indicates how much is $1 worth today. There are 60 years between 1960 and 2020 and the average inflation rate was 3.6814%. Therefore, we can resolve the formula like this:
| Initial Value | Equivalent value | |
|---|---|---|
| $1 dollar in 1960 | → | $8.75 dollars in 2020 |
| $5 dollars in 1960 | → | $43.76 dollars in 2020 |
| $10 dollars in 1960 | → | $87.51 dollars in 2020 |
| $50 dollars in 1960 | → | $437.55 dollars in 2020 |
| $100 dollars in 1960 | → | $875.1 dollars in 2020 |
| $500 dollars in 1960 | → | $4,375.51 dollars in 2020 |
| $1,000 dollars in 1960 | → | $8,751.01 dollars in 2020 |
| $5,000 dollars in 1960 | → | $43,755.06 dollars in 2020 |
| $10,000 dollars in 1960 | → | $87,510.12 dollars in 2020 |
| $50,000 dollars in 1960 | → | $437,550.58 dollars in 2020 |
| $100,000 dollars in 1960 | → | $875,101.16 dollars in 2020 |
| $500,000 dollars in 1960 | → | $4,375,505.78 dollars in 2020 |
| $1,000,000 dollars in 1960 | → | $8,751,011.55 dollars in 2020 |
| Cumulative inflation 1960-2020 | 775.1% |
| Avg. annual inflation 1960-2020 | 3.68% |
| CPI 1960 | 29.58 |
| CPI 2020 | 258.81 |
| Period | Value |
|---|---|
| 1960 | 1 |
| 1961 | 1.01 |
| 1962 | 1.02 |
| 1963 | 1.04 |
| 1964 | 1.05 |
| 1965 | 1.07 |
| 1966 | 1.1 |
| 1967 | 1.13 |
| 1968 | 1.18 |
| 1969 | 1.24 |
| 1970 | 1.31 |
| 1971 | 1.37 |
| 1972 | 1.41 |
| 1973 | 1.5 |
| 1974 | 1.67 |
| 1975 | 1.82 |
| 1976 | 1.92 |
| 1977 | 2.05 |
| 1978 | 2.21 |
| 1979 | 2.45 |
| 1980 | 2.79 |
| 1981 | 3.07 |
| 1982 | 3.26 |
| 1983 | 3.37 |
| 1984 | 3.51 |
| 1985 | 3.64 |
| 1986 | 3.71 |
| 1987 | 3.84 |
| 1988 | 4 |
| 1989 | 4.19 |
| 1990 | 4.42 |
| 1991 | 4.6 |
| 1992 | 4.74 |
| 1993 | 4.88 |
| 1994 | 5.01 |
| 1995 | 5.15 |
| 1996 | 5.3 |
| 1997 | 5.43 |
| 1998 | 5.51 |
| 1999 | 5.63 |
| 2000 | 5.82 |
| 2001 | 5.99 |
| 2002 | 6.08 |
| 2003 | 6.22 |
| 2004 | 6.39 |
| 2005 | 6.6 |
| 2006 | 6.82 |
| 2007 | 7.01 |
| 2008 | 7.28 |
| 2009 | 7.25 |
| 2010 | 7.37 |
| 2011 | 7.61 |
| 2012 | 7.76 |
| 2013 | 7.88 |
| 2014 | 8 |
| 2015 | 8.01 |
| 2016 | 8.12 |
| 2017 | 8.29 |
| 2018 | 8.49 |
| 2019 | 8.64 |
| 2020 | 8.75 |
All available years
Today's value of US dollars by year:
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