ANNUAL U.S. ECONOMIC SNAPSHOT · 2020s DECADE
The U.S. Economy & Cost of Living in 2021
In 2021, U.S. CPI inflation averaged 4.70%, civilian unemployment stood at 5.35%, and real GDP grew by 6.27%. Due to cumulative inflation since 2021, $100 in 2021 has the same purchasing power as $119.00 in 2025.
2021 CPI Inflation 4.70% CPI: 271.0
$100 in 2021 Worth $119.00 In 2025 dollars
Unemployment 5.35% Civilian U-3
Real GDP Growth 6.27% $23,746B nominal
Median Home Price $383,000 5.41x income
Mortgage Rate (FHFA) 3.0% 10Y Yield: 1.45%
2021 vs. 2025 U.S. Economic & Cost-of-Living Benchmark Table
| Economic Indicator | In 2021 | In 2025 | Full Series |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPI-U Inflation Rate (Annual %) | 4.70% | 2.63% | History → |
| Purchasing Power of $100 in 2025 USD | $100.00 | $119.00 | History → |
| Civilian Unemployment Rate (%) | 5.35% | 4.26% | History → |
| Real GDP Growth Rate (% YoY) | 6.27% | 2.34% | History → |
| Nominal U.S. GDP ($ Billions) | $23,745.8B | $30,861.3B | History → |
| Real GDP Per Capita (Chained 2017 USD) | $64,828 | $70,020 | History → |
| Median Home Sales Price (Nominal USD) | $383,000 | $415,400 | History → |
| Median Home Price-to-Income Ratio | 5.41x | 4.75x | History → |
| Mortgage Origination Rate (FHFA, %) | 3.0% | 6.3% | History → |
| 10-Year U.S. Treasury Yield (%) | 1.45% | 4.29% | History → |
| Federal Minimum Wage (Nominal vs 2025 Real) | $7.25 ($8.61 in 2025 USD) | $7.25 | History → |
| Regular Gasoline Price (USD / Gallon) | $3.05 | $3.26 | History → |
| Federal Public Debt (% of GDP) | 120.9% | 120.7% | History → |
| Federal Budget Surplus / Deficit (% of GDP) | -11.69% | -5.77% | History → |
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