Inflation & buying power
What is 1917 dollars worth today?
$1 in 1917 has the same buying power as about $26.13 today (May 2026). Cumulative inflation since 1917 is about 2513%, or roughly 3.0% per year over 109 years.
What 1917 money is worth today
| In 1917 | Worth today (May 2026) |
|---|---|
| $10.00 | $261.30 |
| $100.00 | $2,613 |
| $1,000 | $26,130 |
| $10,000 | $261,304 |
| $100,000 | $2,613,045 |
Based on the U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI-U). A 1917 dollar is worth about $26.13 now.
What this means
A dollar in 1917 — during the World War I era — stretched a lot further than it does now. To match that same buying power today you'd need about $26.13, because everyday prices have climbed about 2513% in the 109 years since.
Put another way, today's dollar buys what about $0.04 bought in 1917.
The inflation behind the number
- Total inflation since 1917: about 2513%.
- Average annual inflation: about 3.0% per year.
- Time span: 109 years (1917 → 2026).
- Source: CPI-U (CPIAUCNS), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics via FRED.
Frequently asked questions
How much is $1 from 1917 worth today?
$1 in 1917 has the same buying power as about $26.13 in May 2026, because prices have risen roughly 2513% since then (an average of about 3.0% a year).
How much has inflation been since 1917?
Cumulative inflation from 1917 to May 2026 is about 2513%. In other words, something that cost $100 in 1917 costs about $2,613 now.
Where does this data come from?
It uses the U.S. Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U, series CPIAUCNS) published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics via FRED, using annual-average CPI for past years and the latest monthly value for today.
Last reviewed June 20, 2026. Figures based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Estimates for general education, not financial advice.