Inflation & buying power
What is 1958 dollars worth today?
$1 in 1958 has the same buying power as about $11.61 today (May 2026). Cumulative inflation since 1958 is about 1061%, or roughly 3.7% per year over 68 years.
What 1958 money is worth today
| In 1958 | Worth today (May 2026) |
|---|---|
| $10.00 | $116.13 |
| $100.00 | $1,161 |
| $1,000 | $11,613 |
| $10,000 | $116,128 |
| $100,000 | $1,161,283 |
Based on the U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI-U). A 1958 dollar is worth about $11.61 now.
What this means
A dollar in 1958 — during the postwar boom — stretched a lot further than it does now. To match that same buying power today you'd need about $11.61, because everyday prices have climbed about 1061% in the 68 years since.
Put another way, today's dollar buys what about $0.09 bought in 1958.
The inflation behind the number
- Total inflation since 1958: about 1061%.
- Average annual inflation: about 3.7% per year.
- Time span: 68 years (1958 → 2026).
- Source: CPI-U (CPIAUCNS), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics via FRED.
Frequently asked questions
How much is $1 from 1958 worth today?
$1 in 1958 has the same buying power as about $11.61 in May 2026, because prices have risen roughly 1061% since then (an average of about 3.7% a year).
How much has inflation been since 1958?
Cumulative inflation from 1958 to May 2026 is about 1061%. In other words, something that cost $100 in 1958 costs about $1,161 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.