When did prices double after 1932?
By July 1956, prices were twice their 1932 average (CPI-U 13.6 → 27.3), 24 years later. They had tripled by December 1971.
What $1 from 1932 is worth today
$1 in 1932 = $24.70 in September 2026
$1 from 1932$24.70in September 2026 dollars
Prices since 1932+2370%CPI 13.6 → 336.9
Average a year3.46%compounded since 1932
Inflation in 1932-10.3%December to December
Worth in September 2026$2,469.93
Prices changed2369.9%
Average a year3.46%
$100.00 in 1932 buys what $2,469.93 buys in September 2026.$100.00 × CPI 336.940 ÷ CPI 13.642 · 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
1932 dollars in September 2026 dollars
| In 1932 | In September 2026 |
|---|---|
| $1.00 | $24.70 |
| $5.00 | $123.50 |
| $10.00 | $246.99 |
| $20.00 | $493.99 |
| $50.00 | $1,235 |
| $100.00 | $2,470 |
| $500.00 | $12,350 |
| $1,000 | $24,699 |
| $10,000 | $246,993 |
| $50,000 | $1,234,966 |
| $100,000 | $2,469,933 |
$100 from 1932, decade by decade
| Year | Worth | Average CPI |
|---|---|---|
| 1942 | $119.73 | 16.3 |
| 1952 | $194.62 | 26.5 |
| 1962 | $221.75 | 30.2 |
| 1972 | $306.54 | 41.8 |
| 1982 | $707.39 | 96.5 |
| 1992 | $1,029 | 140.3 |
| 2002 | $1,319 | 179.9 |
| 2012 | $1,683 | 229.6 |
| 2022 | $2,145 | 292.7 |
| September 2026 | $2,470 | 336.9 |
1932 in the inflation record
- Prices rose -10.3% in 1932 (December to December), below the 3.3% average of every year since 1914: #111 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 1932 level in July 1956, and three times in December 1971.
- A dollar today buys what 4.0¢ bought in 1932.
CPI-U each month of 1932
| Month | CPI-U |
|---|---|
| January | 14.300 |
| February | 14.100 |
| March | 14.000 |
| April | 13.900 |
| May | 13.700 |
| June | 13.600 |
| July | 13.600 |
| August | 13.500 |
| September | 13.400 |
| October | 13.300 |
| November | 13.200 |
| December | 13.100 |
| Year average | 13.642 |
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 1932 worth today?
$24.70 in September 2026. Prices have risen 2369.9% since 1932, using the 1932 average CPI-U of 13.642 and the September 2026 CPI-U of 336.940 from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What was the inflation rate in 1932?
Prices rose -10.3% from December 1931 to December 1932 (CPI-U, not seasonally adjusted).
What is the average inflation rate since 1932?
3.46% a year, compounded, from 1932 to September 2026. At that rate prices double about every 20 years.
How much is $100 from 1932 worth today?
$2,470. Multiply any 1932 amount by 24.699 to get today’s money.