Did your raise actually beat inflation?

A raise below inflation is a pay cut in everything but the number. RaiseGauge measures the real change in your purchasing power using official U.S. BLS CPI-U data.

Open the raise calculator to check your own numbers, browse cost of living by metro, inflation by category, or see what past money is worth today.

Latest release, explained: June 2026 CPI breakdown: inflation at 3.5% as gasoline finally gives some back.

Updated July 2026