> which is ~24% higher than the 70k you mention. Which is still not 250k. Either way, I see the point you're trying to make, but when people discuss "how much

> which is ~24% higher than the 70k you mention. Which is still not 250k. Either way, I see the point you're trying to make, but when people discuss "how much was X in todays dollars" they don't mean "go find a 'basket of goods' to reflect whatever value they want". CPI is the go-to measure that is understood. Yes, some things are more expensive relative to CPI (housing, education, medical care), but using a non-standard measuring stick is not intellectually honest (unless you make it clear and disclose your reason for why you think it should be different).