When did prices double after 1930?
By July 1967, prices were twice their 1930 average (CPI-U 16.7 → 33.4), 37 years later. They had tripled by September 1974.
What $1 from 1930 is worth today
$1 in 1930 = $20.18 in September 2026
$1 from 1930$20.18in September 2026 dollars
Prices since 1930+1918%CPI 16.7 → 336.9
Average a year3.17%compounded since 1930
Inflation in 1930-6.4%December to December
Worth in September 2026$2,017.60
Prices changed1917.6%
Average a year3.17%
$100.00 in 1930 buys what $2,017.60 buys in September 2026.$100.00 × CPI 336.940 ÷ CPI 16.700 · 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
1930 dollars in September 2026 dollars
| In 1930 | In September 2026 |
|---|---|
| $1.00 | $20.18 |
| $5.00 | $100.88 |
| $10.00 | $201.76 |
| $20.00 | $403.52 |
| $50.00 | $1,009 |
| $100.00 | $2,018 |
| $500.00 | $10,088 |
| $1,000 | $20,176 |
| $10,000 | $201,760 |
| $50,000 | $1,008,802 |
| $100,000 | $2,017,605 |
$100 from 1930, decade by decade
| Year | Worth | Average CPI |
|---|---|---|
| 1940 | $83.88 | 14.0 |
| 1950 | $144.11 | 24.1 |
| 1960 | $177.10 | 29.6 |
| 1970 | $232.49 | 38.8 |
| 1980 | $493.46 | 82.4 |
| 1990 | $782.39 | 130.7 |
| 2000 | $1,031 | 172.2 |
| 2010 | $1,306 | 218.1 |
| 2020 | $1,550 | 258.8 |
| September 2026 | $2,018 | 336.9 |
1930 in the inflation record
- Prices rose -6.4% in 1930 (December to December), below the 3.3% average of every year since 1914: #109 of 112 from highest to lowest.
- The 1930s averaged -1.9% a year; the decade’s highest was 1935 at 3.0%.
- Prices first stood at twice their 1930 level in July 1967, and three times in September 1974.
- A dollar today buys what 5.0¢ bought in 1930.
CPI-U each month of 1930
| Month | CPI-U |
|---|---|
| January | 17.100 |
| February | 17.000 |
| March | 16.900 |
| April | 17.000 |
| May | 16.900 |
| June | 16.800 |
| July | 16.600 |
| August | 16.500 |
| September | 16.600 |
| October | 16.500 |
| November | 16.400 |
| December | 16.100 |
| Year average | 16.700 |
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 1930 worth today?
$20.18 in September 2026. Prices have risen 1917.6% since 1930, using the 1930 average CPI-U of 16.700 and the September 2026 CPI-U of 336.940 from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What was the inflation rate in 1930?
Prices rose -6.4% from December 1929 to December 1930 (CPI-U, not seasonally adjusted).
What is the average inflation rate since 1930?
3.17% a year, compounded, from 1930 to September 2026. At that rate prices double about every 22 years.
How much is $100 from 1930 worth today?
$2,018. Multiply any 1930 amount by 20.176 to get today’s money.