U.S. Economic Dashboard
Track the key economic indicators that affect your salary, savings, and cost of living. Data sourced from the Federal Reserve (FRED).
Consumer Price Index (CPI)
Measures the average change in prices paid by urban consumers for a basket of goods and services.
Unemployment Rate
The percentage of the labor force that is jobless and actively seeking employment.
S&P 500 Index
A stock market index tracking 500 of the largest U.S. publicly traded companies.
30-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate
The average interest rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage in the United States.
Federal Funds Rate
The interest rate at which banks lend reserve balances to other banks overnight.
Understanding Economic Indicators
Consumer Price Index (CPI) & Inflation
The CPI measures the average change in prices paid by urban consumers for a representative basket of goods and services. The year-over-year change in CPI is the most widely cited measure of inflation. When inflation rises, your purchasing power decreases — meaning each dollar buys less. The Federal Reserve targets a 2% annual inflation rate as healthy for the economy.
Unemployment Rate
The unemployment rate represents the percentage of the labor force that is actively seeking work but unable to find employment. A low unemployment rate (below 4%) typically signals a strong job market, which can lead to higher wages as employers compete for workers. However, very low unemployment can also contribute to inflationary pressure.
S&P 500 Index
The S&P 500 is a stock market index that tracks 500 large U.S. companies, representing approximately 80% of the total U.S. stock market value. It is the most commonly used benchmark for retirement accounts (401k, IRA) and index fund investments. Historical average annual returns are approximately 10% before inflation adjustment.
30-Year Mortgage Rate
The 30-year fixed mortgage rate is the average interest rate charged on a 30-year home loan. This rate directly affects monthly housing payments and total cost of homeownership. Even a 1% change can mean tens of thousands of dollars over the life of a loan. Mortgage rates are influenced by the federal funds rate, inflation expectations, and bond market conditions.
Federal Funds Rate
The federal funds rate is the interest rate at which banks lend to each other overnight. Set by the Federal Reserve's Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), it serves as the benchmark for most other interest rates in the economy. When the Fed raises rates, borrowing becomes more expensive across mortgages, auto loans, and credit cards. When it cuts rates, borrowing costs decrease.
Retirement Calculator
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Investment Calculator
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Tax Calculator
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FAQ
Where does the economic data come from?
All data comes from the Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED) database maintained by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. FRED aggregates data from official government sources including the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federal Reserve Board, and U.S. Census Bureau.
How often is the data updated?
The dashboard data is refreshed weekly. Most economic indicators (CPI, unemployment, federal funds rate) are released monthly by their respective agencies. The S&P 500 and mortgage rates reflect monthly averages.
What is the current inflation rate?
The inflation rate shown is the year-over-year change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), which measures the average price change for urban consumers across a basket of goods and services. It compares the current month's CPI to the same month one year ago.
How does the federal funds rate affect me?
The federal funds rate is the benchmark interest rate set by the Federal Reserve. When it rises, borrowing costs increase for mortgages, credit cards, and loans. When it falls, borrowing becomes cheaper, which can stimulate spending and investment.
What does the S&P 500 index represent?
The S&P 500 tracks 500 of the largest publicly traded companies in the United States. It's widely considered the best gauge of large-cap U.S. equity performance and is often used as a benchmark for overall stock market health.