Inflation & buying power
What is 1924 dollars worth today?
$1 in 1924 has the same buying power as about $19.57 today (May 2026). Cumulative inflation since 1924 is about 1857%, or roughly 3.0% per year over 102 years.
What 1924 money is worth today
| In 1924 | Worth today (May 2026) |
|---|---|
| $10.00 | $195.69 |
| $100.00 | $1,957 |
| $1,000 | $19,569 |
| $10,000 | $195,692 |
| $100,000 | $1,956,923 |
Based on the U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI-U). A 1924 dollar is worth about $19.57 now.
What this means
A dollar in 1924 — during the Roaring Twenties — stretched a lot further than it does now. To match that same buying power today you'd need about $19.57, because everyday prices have climbed about 1857% in the 102 years since.
Put another way, today's dollar buys what about $0.05 bought in 1924.
The inflation behind the number
- Total inflation since 1924: about 1857%.
- Average annual inflation: about 3.0% per year.
- Time span: 102 years (1924 → 2026).
- Source: CPI-U (CPIAUCNS), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics via FRED.
Frequently asked questions
How much is $1 from 1924 worth today?
$1 in 1924 has the same buying power as about $19.57 in May 2026, because prices have risen roughly 1857% since then (an average of about 3.0% a year).
How much has inflation been since 1924?
Cumulative inflation from 1924 to May 2026 is about 1857%. In other words, something that cost $100 in 1924 costs about $1,957 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.