What things really cost
U.S. prices since 1980, shown three ways: as they were priced, in today's dollars, and in the time it takes to earn them.
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How to read this
In today's dollars converts every past price into what it would cost at today's overall price level, using the Consumer Price Index. If the line is flat, the item kept pace with inflation; if it rises, it really did get more expensive.
Hours of work divides the price by the average hourly wage that month. It answers a different question: not "did it get pricier?" but "is it harder to afford?" Wages and prices both rise, so this can fall even while the price climbs.
Events mark moments that shook prices: wars, pandemics, storms, policy shifts. Select a marker to read what happened, or see the full timeline with what each event did to prices over the next two years.