Inflation and Consumer Spending

Inflation can be defined as the overall general upward price movement of goods and services in an economy. The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics has various indexes that measure different aspects of inflation.

Webpages on this Topic

Inflation Calculator
The inflation calculator enables you to calculate the value of current dollars in an earlier period, or to calculate the current value of dollar amounts from years ago.

Consumer Price Indexes (CPI)
Latest numbers, tables, news releases, frequently asked questions, and other information about the CPI.

How to Use the Consumer Price Index for Escalation
Escalation agreements often use the CPI to adjust payments for changes in prices. The most frequently used escalation applications are in private sector collective bargaining agreements, rental contracts, insurance policies with automatic inflation protection, and alimony and child support payments.

Producer Price Indexes (PPI)
Latest numbers, tables, news releases, frequently asked questions, and other information about the PPI.

Import/Export Price Indexes
Latest numbers, tables, news releases, frequently asked questions, and other information about changes in the prices of nonmilitary goods and services traded between the U.S. and the rest of the world.

Consumer Expenditure Survey
Tables, statistics, publications, frequently asked questions, and other information about the buying habits of American consumers.