When did prices double after 1921?
By February 1969, prices were twice their 1921 average (CPI-U 17.9 → 35.7), 48 years later. They had tripled by June 1975.
What $1 from 1921 is worth today
$1 in 1921 = $18.88 in September 2026
$1 from 1921$18.88in September 2026 dollars
Prices since 1921+1788%CPI 17.9 → 336.9
Average a year2.83%compounded since 1921
Inflation in 1921-10.8%December to December
Worth in September 2026$1,887.62
Prices changed1787.6%
Average a year2.83%
$100.00 in 1921 buys what $1,887.62 buys in September 2026.$100.00 × CPI 336.940 ÷ CPI 17.850 · 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
1921 dollars in September 2026 dollars
| In 1921 | In September 2026 |
|---|---|
| $1.00 | $18.88 |
| $5.00 | $94.38 |
| $10.00 | $188.76 |
| $20.00 | $377.52 |
| $50.00 | $943.81 |
| $100.00 | $1,888 |
| $500.00 | $9,438 |
| $1,000 | $18,876 |
| $10,000 | $188,762 |
| $50,000 | $943,810 |
| $100,000 | $1,887,619 |
$100 from 1921, decade by decade
| Year | Worth | Average CPI |
|---|---|---|
| 1931 | $85.20 | 15.2 |
| 1941 | $82.49 | 14.7 |
| 1951 | $145.42 | 26.0 |
| 1961 | $167.46 | 29.9 |
| 1971 | $226.84 | 40.5 |
| 1981 | $509.38 | 90.9 |
| 1991 | $762.98 | 136.2 |
| 2001 | $991.97 | 177.1 |
| 2011 | $1,260 | 224.9 |
| 2021 | $1,518 | 271.0 |
| September 2026 | $1,888 | 336.9 |
1921 in the inflation record
- Prices rose -10.8% in 1921 (December to December), below the 3.3% average of every year since 1914: #112 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 1921 level in February 1969, and three times in June 1975.
- A dollar today buys what 5.3¢ bought in 1921.
CPI-U each month of 1921
| Month | CPI-U |
|---|---|
| January | 19.000 |
| February | 18.400 |
| March | 18.300 |
| April | 18.100 |
| May | 17.700 |
| June | 17.600 |
| July | 17.700 |
| August | 17.700 |
| September | 17.500 |
| October | 17.500 |
| November | 17.400 |
| December | 17.300 |
| Year average | 17.850 |
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 1921 worth today?
$18.88 in September 2026. Prices have risen 1787.6% since 1921, using the 1921 average CPI-U of 17.850 and the September 2026 CPI-U of 336.940 from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What was the inflation rate in 1921?
Prices rose -10.8% from December 1920 to December 1921 (CPI-U, not seasonally adjusted).
What is the average inflation rate since 1921?
2.83% a year, compounded, from 1921 to September 2026. At that rate prices double about every 25 years.
How much is $100 from 1921 worth today?
$1,888. Multiply any 1921 amount by 18.876 to get today’s money.