$240 in 2019 is equivalent in purchasing power to about $177.33 in 2004, an increase of $-62.67 over 15 years. The dollar had an average inflation rate of 2.04% per year between 2004 and 2019, producing a cumulative price increase of -26.11%.
This means that prices in 2004 are 26.11% lower than average prices since 2019, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics consumer price index.
The inflation rate in 2004 was 2.66%. The inflation rate in 2019 was 1.76%. The 2019 inflation rate is lower compared to the average inflation rate of 4.23% per year between 2019 and 2024.
Cumulative price change | -26.11% |
Average inflation rate | 2.04% |
Converted amount $240 base | $177.33 |
Price difference $240 base | $-62.67 |
CPI in 2019 | 255.658 |
CPI in 2004 | 188.900 |
Inflation in 2004 | 2.66% |
Inflation in 2019 | 1.76% |
$240 in 2019 | $177.33 in 2004 |
This chart shows a calculation of buying power equivalence for $240 in 2004 (price index tracking began in 1635).
For example, if you started with $240, you would need to end with $177.33 in order to "adjust" for inflation (sometimes refered to as "beating inflation").
When $240 is equivalent to $177.33 over time, that means that the "real value" of a single U.S. dollar decreases over time. In other words, a dollar will pay for fewer items at the store.
This effect explains how inflation erodes the value of a dollar over time. By calculating the value in 2004 dollars, the chart below shows how $240 is worth less over 15 years.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, each of these USD amounts below is equal in terms of what it could buy at the time:
This conversion table shows various other 2004 amounts in 2019 dollars, based on the -26.11% change in prices:
Initial value | Equivalent value |
---|---|
$1 dollar in 2004 | $1.35 dollars in 2019 |
$5 dollars in 2004 | $6.77 dollars in 2019 |
$10 dollars in 2004 | $13.53 dollars in 2019 |
$50 dollars in 2004 | $67.67 dollars in 2019 |
$100 dollars in 2004 | $135.34 dollars in 2019 |
$500 dollars in 2004 | $676.70 dollars in 2019 |
$1,000 dollars in 2004 | $1,353.40 dollars in 2019 |
$5,000 dollars in 2004 | $6,767.01 dollars in 2019 |
$10,000 dollars in 2004 | $13,534.01 dollars in 2019 |
$50,000 dollars in 2004 | $67,670.06 dollars in 2019 |
$100,000 dollars in 2004 | $135,340.13 dollars in 2019 |
$500,000 dollars in 2004 | $676,700.64 dollars in 2019 |
$1,000,000 dollars in 2004 | $1,353,401.27 dollars in 2019 |
Inflation can vary widely by city, even within the United States. Here's how some cities fared in 2019 to 2004 (figures shown are purchasing power equivalents of $240):
San Diego, California experienced the highest rate of inflation during the 15 years between 2004 and 2019 (3.16%).
Detroit, Michigan experienced the lowest rate of inflation during the 15 years between 2004 and 2019 (1.60%).
Note that some locations showing 0% inflation may have not yet reported latest data.
Inflation can also vary widely by country. For comparison, in the UK £240.00 in 2019 would be equivalent to £156.21 in 2004, an absolute change of £-83.79 and a cumulative change of -34.91%.
In Canada, CA$240.00 in 2019 would be equivalent to CA$184.71 in 2004, an absolute change of CA$-55.29 and a cumulative change of -23.04%.
Compare these numbers to the US's overall absolute change of $-62.67 and total percent change of -26.11%.
CPI is the weighted combination of many categories of spending that are tracked by the government. Breaking down these categories helps explain the main drivers behind price changes.
Between 2004 and 2019:
This chart shows the average rate of inflation for select CPI categories between 2019 and 2004.
Compare these values to the overall average of 2.04% per year:
Category | Avg Inflation (%) | Total Inflation (%) | $240 in 2004 → 2019 |
---|---|---|---|
Food and beverages | 2.18 | 38.25 | 331.79 |
Housing | 2.28 | 40.32 | 336.77 |
Apparel | 0.20 | 3.01 | 247.22 |
Transportation | 1.70 | 28.80 | 309.11 |
Medical care | 3.21 | 60.71 | 385.71 |
Recreation | 0.70 | 11.04 | 266.50 |
Education and communication | 1.42 | 23.48 | 296.36 |
Other goods and services | 2.65 | 48.09 | 355.42 |
The graph below compares inflation in categories of goods over time. Click on a category such as "Food" to toggle it on or off:
For all these visualizations, it's important to note that not all categories may have been tracked since 2019. This table and charts use the earliest available data for each category.
Our calculations use the following inflation rate formula to calculate the change in value between 2004 and 2019:
Then plug in historical CPI values. The U.S. CPI was 255.6575 in the year 2019 and 188.9 in 2004:
$240 in 2019 has the same "purchasing power" or "buying power" as $177.33 in 2004.
To get the total inflation rate for the 15 years between 2004 and 2019, we use the following formula:
Plugging in the values to this equation, we get:
There are multiple ways to measure inflation. Published rates of inflation will vary depending on methodology. The Consumer Price Index, used above, is the most common standard used globally.
Alternative measurements are sometimes used based on context and economic/political circumstances. Below are a few examples of alternative measurements.
The PCE Price Index is the U.S. Federal Reserve's preferred measure of inflation, compiled by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. It measures the change in prices of goods and services purchased by consumers.
The PCE Price Index changed by 1.75% per year on average between 2019 and 2004. The total PCE inflation between these dates was 29.67%. In 2019, PCE inflation was 2.48%.
This means that the PCE Index equates $240 in 2019 with $311.21 in 2004, a difference of $71.21. Compare this to the standard CPI measurement, which equates $240 with $177.33. The PCE measured 55.78% inflation compared to standard CPI.
For more information on the difference between PCE and CPI, see this analysis provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Also of note is the Core CPI, which uses the standard CPI but omits the more volatile categories of food and energy.
Core inflation averaged 1.96% per year between 2019 and 2004 (vs all-CPI inflation of 2.04%), for an inflation total of 33.87%. In 2019, core inflation was 1.76%.
When using the core inflation measurement, $240 in 2019 is equivalent in buying power to $321.28 in 2004, a difference of $81.28. Recall that the converted amount is $177.33 when all items including food and energy are measured.
Chained CPI is an alternative measurement that takes into account how consumers adjust spending for similar items. Chained inflation averaged 1.78% per year between 2019 and 2004, a total inflation amount of 30.27%.
According to the Chained CPI measurement, $240 in 2019 is equal in buying power to $312.66 in 2004, a difference of $72.66 (versus a converted amount of $177.33/change of $-62.67 for All Items).
In 2019, chained inflation was 2.51%.
Raw data for these calculations comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Consumer Price Index (CPI), established in 1913. Price index data from 1774 to 1912 is sourced from a historical study conducted by political science professor Robert Sahr at Oregon State University and from the American Antiquarian Society. Price index data from 1634 to 1773 is from the American Antiquarian Society, using British pound equivalents.
You may use the following MLA citation for this page: “$240 in 2019 → 2004 | Inflation Calculator.” Official Inflation Data, Alioth Finance, 6 Sep. 2024, https://www.officialdata.org/2019-dollars-in-2004?amount=240.
Special thanks to QuickChart for their chart image API, which is used for chart downloads.
in2013dollars.com is a reference website maintained by the Official Data Foundation.
Cumulative price change | -26.11% |
Average inflation rate | 2.04% |
Converted amount $240 base | $177.33 |
Price difference $240 base | $-62.67 |
CPI in 2019 | 255.658 |
CPI in 2004 | 188.900 |
Inflation in 2004 | 2.66% |
Inflation in 2019 | 1.76% |
$240 in 2019 | $177.33 in 2004 |