Gold vs inflation: did it beat the dollar?
1,415% × 91%
Updated July 1, 2026 · daily closing prices (not exportable) · BLS / FRED (CPIAUCNS)
Since 2001, Gold is up 1,415% while U.S. consumer prices rose 91%. Gold far outpaced inflation — but the ride was brutal: its worst drop was 42%. Figures in U.S. dollars.
Base 100 since 2001
Why compare Gold (XAU/USD) and U.S. inflation (CPI-U)
Gold's oldest reputation is as a store of value, so the natural test is whether it actually held purchasing power as the dollar lost ground. Comparing gold to inflation asks exactly that, measured against U.S. CPI, since the metal pays no interest and its entire return comes from price. The pattern is episodic rather than steady. Inflation rises in a near-straight line, while gold can sit flat or drift lower for years and then jump sharply when inflation fears, crises, or a weaker dollar take hold. Over long windows it has historically outpaced the price level, but the protection has arrived in concentrated bursts, and the long quiet stretches in between are where it cost the most to hold.
Returns by window
| Window | Gold (XAU/USD) | U.S. inflation (CPI-U) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 year | 25% | 4% |
| 5 years | 127% | 24% |
| 10 years | 205% | 39% |
| since 2001 | 1,415% | 91% |
The price of return: risk
| Asset | Annual volatility | Worst drop |
|---|---|---|
| Gold | 17% | -42% |
| Inflation (CPI) | 1% | -4% |
$10,000 in each, since 2001
| Asset | Value today |
|---|---|
| Gold | $151,465 |
| Inflation (CPI) | $19,072 |
Frequently asked questions
Did Gold beat inflation?
Over the period, Gold returned 1,415% while U.S. consumer prices rose 91%. The gap is what the asset earned beyond simply keeping pace with the dollar.
Does this account for the dollar losing value?
Yes. The inflation line is U.S. CPI, the measure of how much purchasing power the dollar lost over the same period. Returns above that line are gains in real terms.
Does a higher return mean a better investment?
Not on its own. A higher return came with higher risk here — the volatility and the largest drop on this page show how much the value swung along the way.
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Descriptive, educational content computed from official public data. Not investment advice. Past performance does not guarantee future results.