Inflation & buying power
What is 1982 dollars worth today?
$1 in 1982 has the same buying power as about $3.47 today (May 2026). Cumulative inflation since 1982 is about 247%, or roughly 2.9% per year over 44 years.
What 1982 money is worth today
| In 1982 | Worth today (May 2026) |
|---|---|
| $10.00 | $34.73 |
| $100.00 | $347.28 |
| $1,000 | $3,473 |
| $10,000 | $34,728 |
| $100,000 | $347,278 |
Based on the U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI-U). A 1982 dollar is worth about $3.47 now.
What this means
A dollar in 1982 — during the 1980s — stretched a lot further than it does now. To match that same buying power today you'd need about $3.47, because everyday prices have climbed about 247% in the 44 years since.
Put another way, today's dollar buys what about $0.29 bought in 1982.
The inflation behind the number
- Total inflation since 1982: about 247%.
- Average annual inflation: about 2.9% per year.
- Time span: 44 years (1982 → 2026).
- Source: CPI-U (CPIAUCNS), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics via FRED.
Frequently asked questions
How much is $1 from 1982 worth today?
$1 in 1982 has the same buying power as about $3.47 in May 2026, because prices have risen roughly 247% since then (an average of about 2.9% a year).
How much has inflation been since 1982?
Cumulative inflation from 1982 to May 2026 is about 247%. In other words, something that cost $100 in 1982 costs about $347.28 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.