Inflation & buying power
What is 1934 dollars worth today?
$1 in 1934 has the same buying power as about $25.04 today (May 2026). Cumulative inflation since 1934 is about 2404%, or roughly 3.6% per year over 92 years.
What 1934 money is worth today
| In 1934 | Worth today (May 2026) |
|---|---|
| $10.00 | $250.41 |
| $100.00 | $2,504 |
| $1,000 | $25,041 |
| $10,000 | $250,409 |
| $100,000 | $2,504,095 |
Based on the U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI-U). A 1934 dollar is worth about $25.04 now.
What this means
A dollar in 1934 — during the Great Depression — stretched a lot further than it does now. To match that same buying power today you'd need about $25.04, because everyday prices have climbed about 2404% in the 92 years since.
Put another way, today's dollar buys what about $0.04 bought in 1934.
The inflation behind the number
- Total inflation since 1934: about 2404%.
- Average annual inflation: about 3.6% per year.
- Time span: 92 years (1934 → 2026).
- Source: CPI-U (CPIAUCNS), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics via FRED.
Frequently asked questions
How much is $1 from 1934 worth today?
$1 in 1934 has the same buying power as about $25.04 in May 2026, because prices have risen roughly 2404% since then (an average of about 3.6% a year).
How much has inflation been since 1934?
Cumulative inflation from 1934 to May 2026 is about 2404%. In other words, something that cost $100 in 1934 costs about $2,504 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.