Consumer Price Index (CPI) Conversion Factors to Convert to 2013 Dollars
Using the CPI-U-RS series, which starts 1947, an experimental CPI measure (see explanation below),
and CPI-U-X1, which applies the post-1982 CPI to the period 1950-1982
(either can be used when exact comparisons are needed between years during the period starting 1947)
To convert dollars of a year to 2013 dollars, DIVIDE the dollar amount of that year by the conversion factor (CF) for that year
For example, for CPI-U-RS $1000 dollars of 1950 = $8264 dollars of 2013 ($1000 / 0.121); suggest rounding to $8260.
For example, for CPI-U-X1 $1000 dollars of 1956 = $7874 dollars of 2013 ($1000 / 0.127); suggest rounding to $7870.
Note: To reverse the process, that is, to determine what a 2013-dollar amount would be in the dollars of another
year, simply MULTIPLY the 2013 amount by the conversion factor of that year. For example, $1000
2013 dollars would be about $112 in 1947 ($1000 x 0.112), using CPI-U-RS.
As illustrated here, it is recommended that numbers be ROUNDED to no more than three significant digits.
Year
1947
1948
1949
1950
1951
1952
1953
1954
1955
1956
1957
1958
1959
1960
1961
1962
1963
1964
1965
1966
CF RS
0.112
0.121
0.120
0.121
0.131
0.133
0.134
0.135
0.135
0.137
0.141
0.145
0.146
0.149
0.150
0.152
0.154
0.156
0.158
0.163
CF X1
0.112
0.121
0.124
0.124
0.125
0.125
0.127
0.131
0.135
0.136
0.138
0.140
0.141
0.143
0.145
0.147
0.151
Year
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1972
1973
1974
1975
1976
1977
1978
1979
1980
1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
CF RS
0.168
0.175
0.182
0.191
0.199
0.205
0.218
0.240
0.260
0.275
0.292
0.305
0.334
0.372
0.407
0.431
0.450
0.468
0.484
0.493
CF X1
0.156
0.162
0.169
0.177
0.185
0.191
0.203
0.223
0.241
0.255
0.271
0.290
0.318
0.353
0.387
0.410
0.428
0.446
0.462
0.470
Year
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
CF RS
0.510
0.529
0.551
0.579
0.600
0.615
0.630
0.643
0.659
0.676
0.691
0.701
0.715
0.739
0.760
0.772
0.79
0.811
0.838
0.866
CF X1
0.488
0.508
0.532
0.561
0.585
0.602
0.620
0.636
0.654
0.674
0.689
0.700
0.715
0.739
0.760
0.772
0.790
0.811
0.838
0.865
Year
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
CF RS
0.890
0.924
0.921
0.936
0.966
0.986
1.000
CF X1
0.890
0.924
0.921
0.936
0.966
0.986
1.000
1.016
1.037
1.059
1.082
1.107
1.133
1.160
1.187
1.215
1.244
1.273
Revised April 8, 2014, using final 2013 CPI (CPI = 2.32957) and the average of OMB and CBO inflation estimates for 2014 and later years as of early 2014. For
inflation assumptions for 2014 and later years, see the shaded box below.
CPI is CPI-U-X1, which applies the post-1982 CPI methods to the period 1950 to 1982. By definition, CPI-U-X1 equals CPI-U starting in 1983, so the conversion factors are
the same.
CPI is CPI-U, the broader measure for all urban consumers, using year-to-year averages, not December to December.
Conversion factors for the experimental CPI [CPI-U-RS] are supplied for the years 1947 to 2009. These can be used in place of CPI-U-X1 for careful comparison over years
starting in 1947. However, there are limits as well as strengths to this experimental measure (see link below for additional information).
Note: Historical CPI-U-RS is revised each year, so earlier-year data can change with yearly revision. CPI-U-RS reflects estimated CPI-U-RS data (see below), re-based here
from 1977 as the base year to 2012 as the base year. Updated from Economic Report of the President 2013 , Table B-62.
Inflation assumptions: Inflation conversion factors for 2014 and later years assume 1.65% inflation in 2014, 2.00% in 2015, 2.10% in 2016, 2.20% in 2017, and
2.35% in each year 2018 through 2024. These are averages of OMB and CBO inflation estimates as of January (CBO) and March (OMB) 2014.
CPI-U-RS and CPI-U-X1 updated from Economic Report of the President 2013 , Table B-62, and sources listed below.
Source of pre-1978 CPI-U-RS data: Census Bureau, revised to reflect final CPI-U-RS 2010 revision from BLS March 2014 (see below).
The Census Bureau uses the Bureau of Labor Statistics' experimental Consumer Price Index (CPI-U-RS) starting 1977. The Census Bureau derived the CPI-U-RS for years
before 1977 by applying the 1977 CPI-U-RS-to-CPI-U ratio to the 1947 to 1976 CPI-U. This is available at http://www.bls.gov/cpi/cpiurs1978_2009.pdf. Two additional
sources of information about the CPI-U-RS are available from the BLS at http://www.bls.gov/cpi/cpirsqa.pdf and at http://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/1999/06/art4full.pdf.
CF denominated in years 1995 to estimated 2014 in Excel and pdf formats for 1774 to estimated 2024 are available at the online address stated below.
Prior to the 2008 revision, a different data base was used for the period starting 1665 and ending 1913. See the main inflation conversion factor page for details.
The address of the inflation conversion factor web page is http://oregonstate.edu/cla/polisci/sahr/sahr.
See also the important notes on the reverse side.
cv2013rsx1.xlsx
Rev 04/08/2014
(c) 2014 Robert C. Sahr
e-mail: [email protected]
http://oregonstate.edu/cla/polisci/node/87
Consumer Price Index (CPI) Conversion Factors to Convert to 2013 Dollars (continued)
Using the CPI-U-RS, an experimental CPI measure
For details about CPI-U-RS, see the materials available at http://stats.bls.gov/cpi/cpirsdc.htm. Note also the points below, from
http://www.bls.gov/cpi/cpirsinfo.pdf.
cv2013rsx1.xlsx
Rev 04/08/2014
(c) 2014 Robert C. Sahr
e-mail: [email protected]
http://oregonstate.edu/cla/polisci/node/87