When did prices double after 1920?
By April 1971, prices were twice their 1920 average (CPI-U 20.0 → 40.1), 51 years later. They had tripled by May 1977.
What $1 from 1920 is worth today
$1 in 1920 = $16.81 in September 2026
$1 from 1920$16.81in September 2026 dollars
Prices since 1920+1581%CPI 20.0 → 336.9
Average a year2.69%compounded since 1920
Inflation in 19202.6%December to December
Worth in September 2026$1,681.20
Prices changed1581.2%
Average a year2.69%
$100.00 in 1920 buys what $1,681.20 buys in September 2026.$100.00 × CPI 336.940 ÷ CPI 20.042 · 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
1920 dollars in September 2026 dollars
| In 1920 | In September 2026 |
|---|---|
| $1.00 | $16.81 |
| $5.00 | $84.06 |
| $10.00 | $168.12 |
| $20.00 | $336.24 |
| $50.00 | $840.60 |
| $100.00 | $1,681 |
| $500.00 | $8,406 |
| $1,000 | $16,812 |
| $10,000 | $168,120 |
| $50,000 | $840,599 |
| $100,000 | $1,681,198 |
$100 from 1920, decade by decade
| Year | Worth | Average CPI |
|---|---|---|
| 1930 | $83.33 | 16.7 |
| 1940 | $69.90 | 14.0 |
| 1950 | $120.08 | 24.1 |
| 1960 | $147.57 | 29.6 |
| 1970 | $193.72 | 38.8 |
| 1980 | $411.19 | 82.4 |
| 1990 | $651.93 | 130.7 |
| 2000 | $859.21 | 172.2 |
| 2010 | $1,088 | 218.1 |
| 2020 | $1,291 | 258.8 |
| September 2026 | $1,681 | 336.9 |
1920 in the inflation record
- Prices rose 2.6% in 1920 (December to December), below the 3.3% average of every year since 1914: #59 of 112 from highest to lowest.
- The 1920s averaged -0.9% a year; the decade’s highest was 1925 at 3.5%.
- Prices first stood at twice their 1920 level in April 1971, and three times in May 1977.
- A dollar today buys what 5.9¢ bought in 1920.
CPI-U each month of 1920
| Month | CPI-U |
|---|---|
| January | 19.300 |
| February | 19.500 |
| March | 19.700 |
| April | 20.300 |
| May | 20.600 |
| June | 20.900 |
| July | 20.800 |
| August | 20.300 |
| September | 20.000 |
| October | 19.900 |
| November | 19.800 |
| December | 19.400 |
| Year average | 20.042 |
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 1920 worth today?
$16.81 in September 2026. Prices have risen 1581.2% since 1920, using the 1920 average CPI-U of 20.042 and the September 2026 CPI-U of 336.940 from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What was the inflation rate in 1920?
Prices rose 2.6% from December 1919 to December 1920 (CPI-U, not seasonally adjusted).
What is the average inflation rate since 1920?
2.69% a year, compounded, from 1920 to September 2026. At that rate prices double about every 26 years.
How much is $100 from 1920 worth today?
$1,681. Multiply any 1920 amount by 16.812 to get today’s money.