Mark J. Perry

Money Moves

Creator and annual updater of the 'Chart of the Century'

For decades, economists have argued over whether life is getting more affordable. A new analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics data from 2000 to 2025 shows that while the Consumer Price Index rose 92.6%, average hourly wages climbed 131.1%—meaning workers can buy 20% more goods today for the same hours worked. The finding rests on measuring 'time prices': not what things cost in dollars, but how many hours of labor it takes to afford them.

Updated Jan 30