Political Science

The tables for 1774 to estimated 2022 and the conversion factor tables for 2010, 2011, and estimated 2012 were revised March 4, 2012, for both pdf and Excel files.

Conversion factor tables for other years will be revised soon, using updated inflation estimates from the OMB and CBO.

Excel file with column-format conversion factors 1774 to estimated 2022 (revised to reflect final 2011 CPI): CPI (1982-84 Dollars), 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, estimated 2012, CPI-U-X1 (2010 dollars), and CPI-U-RS (an experimental measure, using 2010 dollars, and updated CPI-U-RS data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics). This file provides both conversion factors for each of those inflation measures and also inflation rates using CPI-U for years starting 1774, CPI-U-RS for years starting 1947, and CPI-U-X1 for years starting 1950.

Inflation assumptions:  Inflation conversion factors for 2012 and later years assume 1.95% in 2012, 1.70% in 2013, 1.75% in 2014, 1.85% in 2015, 2.05% in 2016, 2.15% in 2017, and 2.20% in 2018-2022.  These are averages of OMB and CBO inflation estimates as of January and February 2012.

For ease of printing, the Excel file is available also in pdf format: Conversion factors 1774 to estimated 2022 (pdf format) (revised to reflect final 2011 CPI.)

Data prior to 1913 are estimates; data for 1913 to the present involve data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, though the specific methods of data collection have changed during that period. Use special caution concerning data prior to 1913.

I strongly recommended that all dollar figures using these conversion factors for years prior to 1913 be rounded, e.g., $14,663 becomes $14,700, and preferably—especially for early years—to $15,000. Similarly, round dollars derived for years 1913 to the present to, for example, $14,660.

Stating dollar figure conversions in dollars and cents nearly always suggests more precision than the data allow.