Inflation & buying power
What is 1962 dollars worth today?
$1 in 1962 has the same buying power as about $11.08 today (May 2026). Cumulative inflation since 1962 is about 1008%, or roughly 3.8% per year over 64 years.
What 1962 money is worth today
| In 1962 | Worth today (May 2026) |
|---|---|
| $10.00 | $110.78 |
| $100.00 | $1,108 |
| $1,000 | $11,078 |
| $10,000 | $110,784 |
| $100,000 | $1,107,845 |
Based on the U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI-U). A 1962 dollar is worth about $11.08 now.
What this means
A dollar in 1962 — during the 1960s — stretched a lot further than it does now. To match that same buying power today you'd need about $11.08, because everyday prices have climbed about 1008% in the 64 years since.
Put another way, today's dollar buys what about $0.09 bought in 1962.
The inflation behind the number
- Total inflation since 1962: about 1008%.
- Average annual inflation: about 3.8% per year.
- Time span: 64 years (1962 → 2026).
- Source: CPI-U (CPIAUCNS), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics via FRED.
Frequently asked questions
How much is $1 from 1962 worth today?
$1 in 1962 has the same buying power as about $11.08 in May 2026, because prices have risen roughly 1008% since then (an average of about 3.8% a year).
How much has inflation been since 1962?
Cumulative inflation from 1962 to May 2026 is about 1008%. In other words, something that cost $100 in 1962 costs about $1,108 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.