ANNUAL U.S. ECONOMIC SNAPSHOT · 1970s DECADE
The U.S. Economy & Cost of Living in 1970
In 1970, U.S. CPI inflation averaged 5.84%, civilian unemployment stood at 4.98%, and real GDP grew by 0.18%. Due to cumulative inflation since 1970, $100 in 1970 has the same purchasing power as $829.00 in 2025.
1970 CPI Inflation 5.84% CPI: 38.8
$100 in 1970 Worth $829.00 In 2025 dollars
Unemployment 4.98% Civilian U-3
Real GDP Growth 0.18% $1,073B nominal
Median Home Price $23,475 3.45x income
10Y Treasury Yield 7.35% Fed Funds: 7.18%
1970 vs. 2025 U.S. Economic & Cost-of-Living Benchmark Table
| Economic Indicator | In 1970 | In 2025 | Full Series |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPI-U Inflation Rate (Annual %) | 5.84% | 2.63% | History → |
| Purchasing Power of $100 in 2025 USD | $100.00 | $829.00 | History → |
| Civilian Unemployment Rate (%) | 4.98% | 4.26% | History → |
| Real GDP Growth Rate (% YoY) | 0.18% | 2.34% | History → |
| Nominal U.S. GDP ($ Billions) | $1,073.3B | $30,861.3B | History → |
| Real GDP Per Capita (Chained 2017 USD) | $25,923 | $70,020 | History → |
| Median Home Sales Price (Nominal USD) | $23,475 | $415,400 | History → |
| Median Home Price-to-Income Ratio | 3.45x | 4.75x | History → |
| Mortgage Origination Rate (FHFA, %) | - | 6.3% | History → |
| 10-Year U.S. Treasury Yield (%) | 7.35% | 4.29% | History → |
| Federal Minimum Wage (Nominal vs 2025 Real) | $1.60 ($13.27 in 2025 USD) | $7.25 | History → |
| Regular Gasoline Price (USD / Gallon) | - | $3.26 | History → |
| Federal Public Debt (% of GDP) | 35.2% | 120.7% | History → |
| Federal Budget Surplus / Deficit (% of GDP) | -0.26% | -5.77% | History → |
Browse Other Years (1950-2025)
1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025