Are USCf and FIDE ratings similar, or are USCF rating a bit more inflated? I feel this way because FIDE is a international rating system while USCF pertains to just one country. But lots of peoples' USCF and FIDE ratings aren't far off.

I would say that the formulas used to derive a rating are fair enough in and of themselves that they are most likely really accurate and close in comparison.

Inflated isn't the right word, but from what I've heard generally your FIDE will be a bit lower than your USCF. 

I've been told they're closer now than in the past, about a 50 points difference.  Maybe someone else can verify.