When did prices double after 1960?
By March 1977, prices were twice their 1960 average (CPI-U 29.6 → 59.2), 17 years later. They had tripled by April 1981.
What $1 from 1960 is worth today
$1 in 1960 = $11.39 in September 2026
$1 from 1960$11.39in September 2026 dollars
Prices since 1960+1039%CPI 29.6 → 336.9
Average a year3.74%compounded since 1960
Inflation in 19601.4%December to December
Worth in September 2026$1,139.27
Prices changed1039.3%
Average a year3.74%
$100.00 in 1960 buys what $1,139.27 buys in September 2026.$100.00 × CPI 336.940 ÷ CPI 29.575 · 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
1960 dollars in September 2026 dollars
| In 1960 | In September 2026 |
|---|---|
| $1.00 | $11.39 |
| $5.00 | $56.96 |
| $10.00 | $113.93 |
| $20.00 | $227.85 |
| $50.00 | $569.64 |
| $100.00 | $1,139 |
| $500.00 | $5,696 |
| $1,000 | $11,393 |
| $10,000 | $113,927 |
| $50,000 | $569,637 |
| $100,000 | $1,139,273 |
$100 from 1960, decade by decade
| Year | Worth | Average CPI |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | $131.28 | 38.8 |
| 1980 | $278.64 | 82.4 |
| 1990 | $441.79 | 130.7 |
| 2000 | $582.25 | 172.2 |
| 2010 | $737.30 | 218.1 |
| 2020 | $875.10 | 258.8 |
| September 2026 | $1,139 | 336.9 |
1960 in the inflation record
- Prices rose 1.4% in 1960 (December to December), below the 3.3% average of every year since 1914: #85 of 112 from highest to lowest.
- The 1960s averaged 2.5% a year; the decade’s highest was 1969 at 6.2%.
- Prices first stood at twice their 1960 level in March 1977, and three times in April 1981.
- A dollar today buys what 8.8¢ bought in 1960.
CPI-U each month of 1960
| Month | CPI-U |
|---|---|
| January | 29.300 |
| February | 29.400 |
| March | 29.400 |
| April | 29.500 |
| May | 29.500 |
| June | 29.600 |
| July | 29.600 |
| August | 29.600 |
| September | 29.600 |
| October | 29.800 |
| November | 29.800 |
| December | 29.800 |
| Year average | 29.575 |
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 1960 worth today?
$11.39 in September 2026. Prices have risen 1039.3% since 1960, using the 1960 average CPI-U of 29.575 and the September 2026 CPI-U of 336.940 from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What was the inflation rate in 1960?
Prices rose 1.4% from December 1959 to December 1960 (CPI-U, not seasonally adjusted).
What is the average inflation rate since 1960?
3.74% a year, compounded, from 1960 to September 2026. At that rate prices double about every 19 years.
How much is $100 from 1960 worth today?
$1,139. Multiply any 1960 amount by 11.393 to get today’s money.