Chart: Inflation Rates & Core Inflation Rates

Inflation is an economic phenomenon that refers to a general increase in the prices of goods and services over time. It is a crucial indicator of the economy's health and is closely monitored by policymakers, businesses, and consumers alike. The chart displayed below shows the annual inflation rates and core inflation rates in the United States. The blue line represents the rate at which prices for goods and services have climbed over time, while the red line excludes food and energy items from the calculation.

In the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which measures the average change in prices paid by urban consumers, the rate of inflation is described as the "all items" index, while the rate of core inflation, or underlying inflation, is listed as the "all items less food and energy" index.

The Inflation Calculator provided by following the link offers precise outcomes by presenting the accumulated inflation rate between specific months and years, instead of computing the overall inflation rate for calendar years (or up until the latest month for 2023), which is done by the more widely used calculator above.

Calculate Inflation to the Month and Year (1913 to 2023)

Looking for a U.S. Inflation Calculator that shows results down to the year and month?

Inflation and Prices

Inflation can impact the prices of various goods and services, including groceries and energy. When the overall price level of goods and services in an economy increases, it can lead to an increase in the prices of grocery items such as food, beverages, and household supplies. Similarly, inflation can also affect energy prices, including the cost of electricity, natural gas, and gasoline. To better understand the impact of inflation on these categories, follow the links below.

Grocery Prices and Inflation

See how inflation over time has affected the prices of foods found in grocery stores.

Energy Prices and Inflation

See how inflation over time has affected the prices of energy items like gas and electricty.

Why is news and rates for I bonds discussed on a site about inflation? The performance of these bonds is closely linked to the rate of inflation. In fact, Series I savings bonds are a type of U.S. government bond that is designed to protect against inflation. These bonds earn interest based on a combination of a fixed rate and a variable rate that is tied to the rate of inflation, as measured by the Consumer Price Index for Urban Consumers (CPI-U).

Items Adjusted for Inflation

Inflation-adjusted prices for everyday commodities such as gasoline, electricity, eggs, milk, coffee, and bacon have become a major concern for many households in recent times. The increasing cost of these essential goods has put a strain on budgets and impacted the purchasing power of consumers. To better understand the impact of inflation on the prices of these everyday goods, the links below provide information on prices adjusted for inflation.