Inflation & buying power
What is 1926 dollars worth today?
$1 in 1926 has the same buying power as about $18.93 today (May 2026). Cumulative inflation since 1926 is about 1793%, or roughly 3.0% per year over 100 years.
What 1926 money is worth today
| In 1926 | Worth today (May 2026) |
|---|---|
| $10.00 | $189.34 |
| $100.00 | $1,893 |
| $1,000 | $18,934 |
| $10,000 | $189,335 |
| $100,000 | $1,893,350 |
Based on the U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI-U). A 1926 dollar is worth about $18.93 now.
What this means
A dollar in 1926 — during the Roaring Twenties — stretched a lot further than it does now. To match that same buying power today you'd need about $18.93, because everyday prices have climbed about 1793% in the 100 years since.
Put another way, today's dollar buys what about $0.05 bought in 1926.
The inflation behind the number
- Total inflation since 1926: about 1793%.
- Average annual inflation: about 3.0% per year.
- Time span: 100 years (1926 → 2026).
- Source: CPI-U (CPIAUCNS), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics via FRED.
Frequently asked questions
How much is $1 from 1926 worth today?
$1 in 1926 has the same buying power as about $18.93 in May 2026, because prices have risen roughly 1793% since then (an average of about 3.0% a year).
How much has inflation been since 1926?
Cumulative inflation from 1926 to May 2026 is about 1793%. In other words, something that cost $100 in 1926 costs about $1,893 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.