When did prices double after 1934?
By June 1953, prices were twice their 1934 average (CPI-U 13.4 → 26.8), 19 years later. They had tripled by May 1971.
What $1 from 1934 is worth today
$1 in 1934 = $25.18 in September 2026
$1 from 1934$25.18in September 2026 dollars
Prices since 1934+2418%CPI 13.4 → 336.9
Average a year3.56%compounded since 1934
Inflation in 19341.5%December to December
Worth in September 2026$2,517.61
Prices changed2417.6%
Average a year3.56%
$100.00 in 1934 buys what $2,517.61 buys in September 2026.$100.00 × CPI 336.940 ÷ CPI 13.383 · 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
1934 dollars in September 2026 dollars
| In 1934 | In September 2026 |
|---|---|
| $1.00 | $25.18 |
| $5.00 | $125.88 |
| $10.00 | $251.76 |
| $20.00 | $503.52 |
| $50.00 | $1,259 |
| $100.00 | $2,518 |
| $500.00 | $12,588 |
| $1,000 | $25,176 |
| $10,000 | $251,761 |
| $50,000 | $1,258,804 |
| $100,000 | $2,517,609 |
$100 from 1934, decade by decade
| Year | Worth | Average CPI |
|---|---|---|
| 1944 | $131.44 | 17.6 |
| 1954 | $200.62 | 26.8 |
| 1964 | $231.76 | 31.0 |
| 1974 | $368.43 | 49.3 |
| 1984 | $776.21 | 103.9 |
| 1994 | $1,108 | 148.2 |
| 2004 | $1,411 | 188.9 |
| 2014 | $1,769 | 236.7 |
| 2024 | $2,344 | 313.7 |
| September 2026 | $2,518 | 336.9 |
1934 in the inflation record
- Prices rose 1.5% in 1934 (December to December), below the 3.3% average of every year since 1914: #80 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 1934 level in June 1953, and three times in May 1971.
- A dollar today buys what 4.0¢ bought in 1934.
CPI-U each month of 1934
| Month | CPI-U |
|---|---|
| January | 13.200 |
| February | 13.300 |
| March | 13.300 |
| April | 13.300 |
| May | 13.300 |
| June | 13.400 |
| July | 13.400 |
| August | 13.400 |
| September | 13.600 |
| October | 13.500 |
| November | 13.500 |
| December | 13.400 |
| Year average | 13.383 |
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 1934 worth today?
$25.18 in September 2026. Prices have risen 2417.6% since 1934, using the 1934 average CPI-U of 13.383 and the September 2026 CPI-U of 336.940 from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What was the inflation rate in 1934?
Prices rose 1.5% from December 1933 to December 1934 (CPI-U, not seasonally adjusted).
What is the average inflation rate since 1934?
3.56% a year, compounded, from 1934 to September 2026. At that rate prices double about every 20 years.
How much is $100 from 1934 worth today?
$2,518. Multiply any 1934 amount by 25.176 to get today’s money.