A house, a car, a loaf of bread — in USD, gold ounces, and silver ounces across three monetary eras: 1913 (classical gold standard), 1970 (Bretton Woods), and today.
Three eras of American money — everyday prices in USD, Gold & Silver (prices as of March 2026)
Enter any amount and see its purchasing power across all three eras
Comparing what it costs to buy common items — measured in gold oz (lower = gold gained value)
Gold & Silver Prices: LBMA (London Bullion Market Association) historical spot prices; 1913 & 1970 values from US Treasury official rates.
Consumer Prices: US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Consumer Price Index historical data; Historical Statistics of the United States (Census Bureau) for pre-1913 prices.
Housing & Rent: US Census Bureau median home values; HUD Fair Market Rent data.
Income Data: Census Bureau Current Population Survey (CPS) historical income tables.
Education: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) Digest of Education Statistics.
Healthcare: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) National Health Expenditure data.
Purchasing Power: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis CPI Calculator; BLS Inflation Calculator.
2026 prices reflect March 2026 market data. Historical prices are approximate annual averages for the stated year. Gold/silver conversions use the official or market price for each respective era.