The inflation rate in the United States between 1981 and today has been 251.74%, which translates into a total increase of $20.14. This means that 8 dollars in 1981 are equivalent to 28.14 dollars in 2025. In other words, the purchasing power of $8 in 1981 equals $28.14 today. The average annual inflation rate between these periods has been 2.9%.
The following chart depicts the equivalence of $8 due to compound inflation and CPI changes. All values are equivalent in terms of purchasing power, which means that for each year the same goods or services could be bought with the indicated amount of money.
All calculations are performed in the local currency (USD) and using 6 decimal digits. Results show only up to 2 decimal digits to favour readability. Inflation data is provided by governments and international institutions on a monthly basis. Today's values were extrapolated from the latest 12-month rolling average official data.
The following table contains relevant indicators:
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Cumulative inflation 1981-2024 | 245% |
| Cumulative inflation 1981-today | 251.74% |
| Avg. Annual inflation 1981-2024 | 2.92% |
| CPI 1981 | 90.93 |
| CPI 2024 | 313.69 |
| CPI 2025-02 (latest official data) | 319.08 |
| CPI today | 319.82 |
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 1981 and 2024, use the corresponding CPI values:
To obtain the equivalent value today (present value), plug in the CPI for today, which is estimated as 319.82:
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 are $8 worth today. There are 43 years between 1981 and 2024 and the average inflation rate was 2.9218%. Therefore, we can resolve the formula like this:
| Initial Value | Equivalent value | |
|---|---|---|
| $1 dollar in 1981 | → | $3.45 dollars in 2024 |
| $5 dollars in 1981 | → | $17.25 dollars in 2024 |
| $10 dollars in 1981 | → | $34.5 dollars in 2024 |
| $50 dollars in 1981 | → | $172.5 dollars in 2024 |
| $100 dollars in 1981 | → | $345 dollars in 2024 |
| $500 dollars in 1981 | → | $1,724.99 dollars in 2024 |
| $1,000 dollars in 1981 | → | $3,449.97 dollars in 2024 |
| $5,000 dollars in 1981 | → | $17,249.87 dollars in 2024 |
| $10,000 dollars in 1981 | → | $34,499.73 dollars in 2024 |
| $50,000 dollars in 1981 | → | $172,498.67 dollars in 2024 |
| $100,000 dollars in 1981 | → | $344,997.34 dollars in 2024 |
| $500,000 dollars in 1981 | → | $1,724,986.71 dollars in 2024 |
| $1,000,000 dollars in 1981 | → | $3,449,973.42 dollars in 2024 |
| Cumulative inflation From 1981 | 251.74% |
| Avg. annual inflation From 1981 | 2.9% |
| CPI 1981 | 90.93 |
| CPI today | 319.82 |
| Period | Value |
|---|---|
| 1981 | 8 |
| 1982 | 8.49 |
| 1983 | 8.76 |
| 1984 | 9.14 |
| 1985 | 9.46 |
| 1986 | 9.64 |
| 1987 | 10 |
| 1988 | 10.4 |
| 1989 | 10.91 |
| 1990 | 11.5 |
| 1991 | 11.98 |
| 1992 | 12.35 |
| 1993 | 12.71 |
| 1994 | 13.04 |
| 1995 | 13.41 |
| 1996 | 13.8 |
| 1997 | 14.12 |
| 1998 | 14.34 |
| 1999 | 14.66 |
| 2000 | 15.15 |
| 2001 | 15.58 |
| 2002 | 15.83 |
| 2003 | 16.19 |
| 2004 | 16.62 |
| 2005 | 17.18 |
| 2006 | 17.74 |
| 2007 | 18.24 |
| 2008 | 18.94 |
| 2009 | 18.88 |
| 2010 | 19.19 |
| 2011 | 19.79 |
| 2012 | 20.2 |
| 2013 | 20.5 |
| 2014 | 20.83 |
| 2015 | 20.85 |
| 2016 | 21.12 |
| 2017 | 21.57 |
| 2018 | 22.09 |
| 2019 | 22.49 |
| 2020 | 22.77 |
| 2021 | 23.84 |
| 2022 | 25.75 |
| 2023 | 26.81 |
| 2024 | 27.6 |
| 2025-02 | 28.07 |
| Today | 28.14 |
All available years
Today's value of US dollars by year:
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