Inflation & buying power
What is 1995 dollars worth today?
$1 in 1995 has the same buying power as about $2.20 today (May 2026). Cumulative inflation since 1995 is about 120%, or roughly 2.6% per year over 31 years.
What 1995 money is worth today
| In 1995 | Worth today (May 2026) |
|---|---|
| $10.00 | $21.99 |
| $100.00 | $219.92 |
| $1,000 | $2,199 |
| $10,000 | $21,992 |
| $100,000 | $219,922 |
Based on the U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI-U). A 1995 dollar is worth about $2.20 now.
What this means
A dollar in 1995 — during the 1990s — stretched a lot further than it does now. To match that same buying power today you'd need about $2.20, because everyday prices have climbed about 120% in the 31 years since.
Put another way, today's dollar buys what about $0.45 bought in 1995.
The inflation behind the number
- Total inflation since 1995: about 120%.
- Average annual inflation: about 2.6% per year.
- Time span: 31 years (1995 → 2026).
- Source: CPI-U (CPIAUCNS), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics via FRED.
Frequently asked questions
How much is $1 from 1995 worth today?
$1 in 1995 has the same buying power as about $2.20 in May 2026, because prices have risen roughly 120% since then (an average of about 2.6% a year).
How much has inflation been since 1995?
Cumulative inflation from 1995 to May 2026 is about 120%. In other words, something that cost $100 in 1995 costs about $219.92 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.