Skip to content
KKalkWise
Economics

Inflation Calculator

See how inflation changes the purchasing power of your money over time.

Updated July 2026 · Editorial standards

Cost in 20 years
$90,306
Equivalent today
$27,684
Purchasing power lost
$22,316
Inflation rate3%/yrPower lost45%Prices double every24.0 yrs

Your details

$
%

Key figures

Cost in 20 yrs
$90,306
Equivalent today
$27,684
Power lost
$22,316
Erosion
45%
Doubling time
24.0 yrs

At 3% inflation, $50,000 today will cost $90,306 in 20 years — a 45% loss in purchasing power.Prices double roughly every 24.0 years at this rate (Rule of 72). To maintain purchasing power your savings need to grow faster than inflation.

Inflation impact over time

Purchasing power erosion

Low erosionSevere erosion
Significant45% lost

$50,000 today is worth $27,684 in 20 years. Investing above the inflation rate preserves real value.

Year-by-year breakdown

YearFuture costToday's value
Year 1$51,500$48,544
Year 2$53,045$47,130
Year 3$54,636$45,757
Year 4$56,275$44,424
Year 5$57,964$43,130
Year 6$59,703$41,874
Year 7$61,494$40,655
Year 8$63,339$39,470
Year 9$65,239$38,321
Year 10$67,196$37,205
Cost in 20 yrs
$90,306
By KalkWiseVerified against official sources Updated July 2026

What is the inflation calculator?

In short

At 3% annual inflation, $100 today costs $134 in 10 years and $181 in 20 years; $50,000 of expenses becomes about $90,300 over 20 years, while $50,000 then buys only about $27,700 in today's money. Formula: future cost = present × (1 + rate)^years. The US dollar has lost over 97% of its 1913 purchasing power.

This inflation calculator shows how rising prices change the value of money over time — both the future cost of today's expenses and the shrinking purchasing power of a fixed amount.

How to use this calculator

  1. 1Enter a current amount.
  2. 2Set an expected annual inflation rate.
  3. 3Choose the number of years.
  4. 4See the future cost and today's-money equivalent.
  5. 5Review the year-by-year purchasing-power table.

The formula

FV=PV(1+i)n
Real value=PV(1+i)n
Multiply by (1 + i) once for every year to get the future cost; divide instead to see what a future amount is worth in today's money.
FV
— Future cost
PV
— Amount today
i
— Annual inflation rate (decimal)
n
— Number of years

Worked example

The scenario

$50,000 of expenses with 3% inflation over 20 years.

gives

The result

The same lifestyle costs about $90,300 in 20 years, and $50,000 then buys only about $27,700 in today's money.

Common use cases

  • Planning retirement expenses decades ahead
  • Understanding why cash loses value over time
  • Setting investment return targets that beat inflation
  • Comparing salaries or prices across years

Limitations & assumptions

  • Uses a single assumed inflation rate; actual inflation varies.
  • Does not reflect your personal spending basket, which may differ from official CPI.
  • Not a forecast — a planning tool based on your assumptions.

Frequently asked questions

The long-run US average is about 3% per year. Most central banks, including the US Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank, target roughly 2%.

Disclaimer: KalkWise calculators are provided for general informational and educational purposes only and do not constitute financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. Results are estimates based on the figures you enter and the assumptions described above. Actual outcomes will vary. Consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions.