What is a dollar worth? The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is a measure of the average change in prices over time in a market basket of goods and services.
Consumer Price Index and Inflation Rates, 1913- Consumer Price Index and Inflation Rates (Estimate), 1800- Bureau of Labor Statistics - regional and commodity/service group indexes How the CPI is used to make these calculations

Directions: Enter years as 4 digits (i.e. 1913) through 2006. Enter dollar amount without commas or $ sign in box on first line. Click Calculate button to compute dollar amount shown on second line.

• Limited to years from 1913 to 2006.
• Data from consumer price indexes for all major expenditure class items.
• An estimate for 2006 is based on the change in the CPI from fourth quarter 2004 to fourth quarter 2005.
• Base year is chained; 1982-1984 = 100
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How the CPI is used to make these calculations.

• What would an item or service purchased in 2006 be worth in 19?? dollars?
  
  Example:
  
  The CPI is used to calculate how prices have changed over the years. Let's say you have $7 in your pocket to purchase some goods and services today. How much money would you have needed in 1950 to buy the same amount of goods and services?
  
  The CPI for 1950 = 24.1
  The CPI for 2006 = 202.5
  Use the following formula to compute the calculation:
  1950 Price = 2006 Price x (1950 CPI / 2006 CPI)
  $0.83 = $7.00 x (24.1 / 202.5)
  

• What would an item or service purchased in 19?? be worth in 2006 dollars?
  
  Example:
  
  Let's say your parents told you that in 1950 a movie cost 25 cents. How could you tell if movies have increased in price faster or slower than most goods and services? To convert that price into today's dollars, use the CPI.
  
  The CPI for 1950 = 24.1
  The CPI for 2006 = 202.5
  A movie in 1950 = $0.25
  Use the following formula to compute the calculation:
  2006 Price = 1950 Price x (2006 CPI / 1950 CPI)
  $2.10 = $0.25 x (202.5/ 24.1)

  A full-price movie at a Minneapolis theater costs between $5.50 and $8.50. Looks like movies have increased in price faster than most other goods and services.