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Planning

Future inflation

Project how steady future inflation may erode today's dollars — and how much more you might need later for the same basket of goods.

A present-day dollar amount you care about — savings, a budget, or a price tag — before applying future inflation.
$
Assumed average yearly rise in prices. Long-run US CPI is often cited near ~2–3% for planning — not a forecast.
%
How far into the future to project. Longer horizons amplify the effect of compounding inflation.

Future purchasing power

$55,368

of today's$100,000after20years

Breakdown
Future cost of same basket$180,611
Purchasing power lost$44,632
Cumulative inflation80.6%

Steady-rate projection model. Actual future inflation varies year to year.

Frequently asked questions

Read about inflation and purchasing power

What does this future inflation calculator show?

It projects two sides of the same coin: how much purchasing power today’s dollars keep after a number of years, and how many future dollars you may need to buy the same basket of goods.

What is purchasing power?

It is how much goods and services a dollar buys. Future inflation means the same cash may buy less over time if prices rise.

Is 3% inflation accurate?

It is a common planning assumption for long-run projections, not a forecast. Actual CPI varies year to year.

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