Inflation & buying power
What is 1960 dollars worth today?
$1 in 1960 has the same buying power as about $11.33 today (May 2026). Cumulative inflation since 1960 is about 1033%, or roughly 3.7% per year over 66 years.
What 1960 money is worth today
| In 1960 | Worth today (May 2026) |
|---|---|
| $10.00 | $113.31 |
| $100.00 | $1,133 |
| $1,000 | $11,331 |
| $10,000 | $113,313 |
| $100,000 | $1,133,129 |
Based on the U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI-U). A 1960 dollar is worth about $11.33 now.
What this means
A dollar in 1960 — during the 1960s — stretched a lot further than it does now. To match that same buying power today you'd need about $11.33, because everyday prices have climbed about 1033% in the 66 years since.
Put another way, today's dollar buys what about $0.09 bought in 1960.
The inflation behind the number
- Total inflation since 1960: about 1033%.
- Average annual inflation: about 3.7% per year.
- Time span: 66 years (1960 → 2026).
- Source: CPI-U (CPIAUCNS), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics via FRED.
Frequently asked questions
How much is $1 from 1960 worth today?
$1 in 1960 has the same buying power as about $11.33 in May 2026, because prices have risen roughly 1033% since then (an average of about 3.7% a year).
How much has inflation been since 1960?
Cumulative inflation from 1960 to May 2026 is about 1033%. In other words, something that cost $100 in 1960 costs about $1,133 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.