Inflation Purchasing Power Calculator
See what today’s cash buys later, and how much you would need later for the same basket. The latest composite CPI year-on-year rate is a snapshot, not a 20-year forecast.
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Inflation inputs
C&SD composite CPI 2026-06: 2% year on year; underlying 1.9%. Base 2019/20=100. Not a forecast.
Buying power of today’s cash in 20 years
The dollar amount is unchanged; this is what that cash buys if prices rise at your assumed rate.
To buy the same basket later you would need HK$1,485,947. Real return at 2% is 0.00% a year.
Same basket later
Nominal amount needed
Real return
Savings rate versus inflation
Real value if saved
HK$1,485,947 nominal
Composite CPI is one official basket (Monthly Report on the Consumer Price Index — June 2026). Rent, school fees or medical costs can rise faster or slower. A single rate is not your household basket, and the latest year-on-year figure is not a 20-year path. Savings goal · Fixed deposit vs savings
Hong Kong inflation: purchasing power, not disappearing cash
The dollar amount in an account does not vanish because of inflation. What changes is what that cash can buy. This page shows two figures: the buying power of today’s cash after n years, and the nominal amount needed later for the same basket. Both use your assumed rate. Neither is a forecast.
The Census and Statistics Department publishes a composite CPI and an underlying CPI. The data centre’s latest checked snapshot is June 2026: composite CPI 2.0% year on year, underlying 1.9%, base 2019/20=100. That is a published year-on-year change, not a path that will hold for twenty years. Rent, school fees or medical costs can move differently from the headline index.
Real return is (1 + savings rate) ÷ (1 + inflation) − 1, not a casual subtraction. At 2% savings and 2% inflation, real return is about 0%. Do not apply a promotional first-tier savings rate to a whole balance if you would not actually earn it.
For long-term planning, test a lower and a higher inflation rate, and keep emergency cash separate from investments. This page does not forecast property, school or medical prices. The official index is the latest C&SD release.
Data status
Official Composite CPI through 2026-06
The Census and Statistics Department Composite CPI uses 2019/20=100 as its base; the latest published year-on-year change is 2%.
The calculator's long-term inflation rate is selected by the user and does not change automatically with one monthly release.
Does not reflect an individual's spending mix, asset prices, renting or ownership differences, or future policy and price changes.
2026-07-21: Checked the latest Composite CPI and underlying inflation rate.
References
- 1Consumer Price Index(Census and Statistics Department)
- 2Bank deposits and deposit protection(Hong Kong Monetary Authority)
Site data last reviewed: 2026-08-09 · The sources above are for reference only; please refer to the latest official announcements from the relevant organisations.
Think a figure, rule or source needs updating? Report this pageFAQs
Does inflation reduce the dollars in my account?
Is 2% the official inflation forecast?
What is the difference between composite and underlying CPI?
How is real return calculated?
Can I use the same rate for rent or school fees?
Are the food and transport examples official prices?
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Client-side only: All data is calculated on your device and is not uploaded to any server. Results are for reference only and do not constitute professional financial or legal advice.