ANNUAL U.S. ECONOMIC SNAPSHOT · 1950s DECADE
The U.S. Economy & Cost of Living in 1956
In 1956, U.S. CPI inflation averaged 1.53%, civilian unemployment stood at 4.12%, and real GDP grew by 2.13%. Due to cumulative inflation since 1956, $100 in 1956 has the same purchasing power as $1,184.00 in 2025.
1956 CPI Inflation 1.53% CPI: 27.2
$100 in 1956 Worth $1,184.00 In 2025 dollars
Unemployment 4.12% Civilian U-3
Real GDP Growth 2.13% $449B nominal
Median Home Price - Census/HUD
Min Wage (Nominal) $1.00 $11.84 in 2025 USD
1956 vs. 2025 U.S. Economic & Cost-of-Living Benchmark Table
| Economic Indicator | In 1956 | In 2025 | Full Series |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPI-U Inflation Rate (Annual %) | 1.53% | 2.63% | History → |
| Purchasing Power of $100 in 2025 USD | $100.00 | $1,184.00 | History → |
| Civilian Unemployment Rate (%) | 4.12% | 4.26% | History → |
| Real GDP Growth Rate (% YoY) | 2.13% | 2.34% | History → |
| Nominal U.S. GDP ($ Billions) | $449.4B | $30,861.3B | History → |
| Real GDP Per Capita (Chained 2017 USD) | $18,718 | $70,020 | History → |
| Median Home Sales Price (Nominal USD) | - | $415,400 | History → |
| Median Home Price-to-Income Ratio | - | 4.75x | History → |
| Mortgage Origination Rate (FHFA, %) | - | 6.3% | History → |
| 10-Year U.S. Treasury Yield (%) | - | 4.29% | History → |
| Federal Minimum Wage (Nominal vs 2025 Real) | $1.00 ($11.84 in 2025 USD) | $7.25 | History → |
| Regular Gasoline Price (USD / Gallon) | - | $3.26 | History → |
| Federal Public Debt (% of GDP) | - | 120.7% | History → |
| Federal Budget Surplus / Deficit (% of GDP) | 0.88% | -5.77% | History → |
Browse Other Years (1950-2025)
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