Inflation & buying power
What is 1947 dollars worth today?
$1 in 1947 has the same buying power as about $15.01 today (May 2026). Cumulative inflation since 1947 is about 1401%, or roughly 3.5% per year over 79 years.
What 1947 money is worth today
| In 1947 | Worth today (May 2026) |
|---|---|
| $10.00 | $150.11 |
| $100.00 | $1,501 |
| $1,000 | $15,011 |
| $10,000 | $150,111 |
| $100,000 | $1,501,111 |
Based on the U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI-U). A 1947 dollar is worth about $15.01 now.
What this means
A dollar in 1947 — during the World War II years — stretched a lot further than it does now. To match that same buying power today you'd need about $15.01, because everyday prices have climbed about 1401% in the 79 years since.
Put another way, today's dollar buys what about $0.07 bought in 1947.
The inflation behind the number
- Total inflation since 1947: about 1401%.
- Average annual inflation: about 3.5% per year.
- Time span: 79 years (1947 → 2026).
- Source: CPI-U (CPIAUCNS), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics via FRED.
Frequently asked questions
How much is $1 from 1947 worth today?
$1 in 1947 has the same buying power as about $15.01 in May 2026, because prices have risen roughly 1401% since then (an average of about 3.5% a year).
How much has inflation been since 1947?
Cumulative inflation from 1947 to May 2026 is about 1401%. In other words, something that cost $100 in 1947 costs about $1,501 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.