When did prices double after 1916?
By March 1947, prices were twice their 1916 average (CPI-U 10.9 → 21.8), 31 years later. They had tripled by August 1966.
What $1 from 1916 is worth today
$1 in 1916 = $30.96 in September 2026
$1 from 1916$30.96in September 2026 dollars
Prices since 1916+2996%CPI 10.9 → 336.9
Average a year3.16%compounded since 1916
Inflation in 191612.6%December to December
Worth in September 2026$3,095.93
Prices changed2995.9%
Average a year3.16%
$100.00 in 1916 buys what $3,095.93 buys in September 2026.$100.00 × CPI 336.940 ÷ CPI 10.883 · a whole year uses its average CPI
BLS CPI-U, U.S. city average, not seasonally adjusted, through September 2026 (3.7% over 12 months). Source
1916 dollars in September 2026 dollars
| In 1916 | In September 2026 |
|---|---|
| $1.00 | $30.96 |
| $5.00 | $154.80 |
| $10.00 | $309.59 |
| $20.00 | $619.19 |
| $50.00 | $1,548 |
| $100.00 | $3,096 |
| $500.00 | $15,480 |
| $1,000 | $30,959 |
| $10,000 | $309,593 |
| $50,000 | $1,547,963 |
| $100,000 | $3,095,926 |
$100 from 1916, decade by decade
| Year | Worth | Average CPI |
|---|---|---|
| 1926 | $162.63 | 17.7 |
| 1936 | $127.41 | 13.9 |
| 1946 | $179.33 | 19.5 |
| 1956 | $249.77 | 27.2 |
| 1966 | $298.24 | 32.5 |
| 1976 | $522.89 | 56.9 |
| 1986 | $1,007 | 109.6 |
| 1996 | $1,441 | 156.8 |
| 2006 | $1,852 | 201.6 |
| 2016 | $2,205 | 240.0 |
| September 2026 | $3,096 | 336.9 |
1916 in the inflation record
- Prices rose 12.6% in 1916 (December to December), above the 3.3% average of every year since 1914: #6 of 112 from highest to lowest.
- The 1910s averaged 11.4% a year; the decade’s highest was 1918 at 20.4%.
- Prices first stood at twice their 1916 level in March 1947, and three times in August 1966.
- A dollar today buys what 3.2¢ bought in 1916.
CPI-U each month of 1916
| Month | CPI-U |
|---|---|
| January | 10.400 |
| February | 10.400 |
| March | 10.500 |
| April | 10.600 |
| May | 10.700 |
| June | 10.800 |
| July | 10.800 |
| August | 10.900 |
| September | 11.100 |
| October | 11.300 |
| November | 11.500 |
| December | 11.600 |
| Year average | 10.883 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, CPI-U, U.S. city average, all items, not seasonally adjusted (1982-84 = 100). Source
Frequently asked questions
How much is $1 from 1916 worth today?
$30.96 in September 2026. Prices have risen 2995.9% since 1916, using the 1916 average CPI-U of 10.883 and the September 2026 CPI-U of 336.940 from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What was the inflation rate in 1916?
Prices rose 12.6% from December 1915 to December 1916 (CPI-U, not seasonally adjusted).
What is the average inflation rate since 1916?
3.16% a year, compounded, from 1916 to September 2026. At that rate prices double about every 22 years.
How much is $100 from 1916 worth today?
$3,096. Multiply any 1916 amount by 30.959 to get today’s money.