OneDollar.today: Real-Time Visualization Shows How Much the US Dollar Has Eroded Since 2000
A deceptively simple website shows the real purchasing power of one US dollar since January 2000, ticking downward in real time based on Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI-U data.
What It Shows
The site interpolates from the two most recent monthly CPI readings, extending the observed rate of change to the present moment. The real-time display subdivides monthly inflation into per-second increments.
The Numbers
- Starting value (Jan 2000): $1.00
- Current purchasing power: Significantly less (approximately $0.60 in 2000 dollars)
- Data source: BLS CPI-U, All Items, US City Average, Not Seasonally Adjusted
Why It Resonates
The page made it to Hacker News because it makes an abstract economic concept viscerally tangible. Watching a dollar lose value in real-time is more impactful than reading about 2-3% annual inflation in a report.
The Underlying Reality
- US dollar has lost roughly 40% of its purchasing power since 2000
- The erosion is gradual but relentless — like a slow leak
- Different categories have wildly different inflation rates (healthcare, education, housing vs electronics)
- Wages have not kept pace in all sectors
Design Philosophy
Minimal — just a number ticking down. No ads, no commentary, no political angle. The data speaks for itself. This restraint is part of what makes it effective.