Inflation & buying power
What is 1974 dollars worth today?
$1 in 1974 has the same buying power as about $6.80 today (May 2026). Cumulative inflation since 1974 is about 580%, or roughly 3.8% per year over 52 years.
What 1974 money is worth today
| In 1974 | Worth today (May 2026) |
|---|---|
| $10.00 | $67.97 |
| $100.00 | $679.65 |
| $1,000 | $6,797 |
| $10,000 | $67,965 |
| $100,000 | $679,652 |
Based on the U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI-U). A 1974 dollar is worth about $6.80 now.
What this means
A dollar in 1974 — during the high-inflation 1970s — stretched a lot further than it does now. To match that same buying power today you'd need about $6.80, because everyday prices have climbed about 580% in the 52 years since.
Put another way, today's dollar buys what about $0.15 bought in 1974.
The inflation behind the number
- Total inflation since 1974: about 580%.
- Average annual inflation: about 3.8% per year.
- Time span: 52 years (1974 → 2026).
- Source: CPI-U (CPIAUCNS), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics via FRED.
Frequently asked questions
How much is $1 from 1974 worth today?
$1 in 1974 has the same buying power as about $6.80 in May 2026, because prices have risen roughly 580% since then (an average of about 3.8% a year).
How much has inflation been since 1974?
Cumulative inflation from 1974 to May 2026 is about 580%. In other words, something that cost $100 in 1974 costs about $679.65 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.