When did prices double after 1970?
By January 1980, prices were twice their 1970 average (CPI-U 38.8 → 77.6), 10 years later. They had tripled by March 1988.
What $1 from 1970 is worth today
$1 in 1970 = $8.68 in September 2026
$1 from 1970$8.68in September 2026 dollars
Prices since 1970+768%CPI 38.8 → 336.9
Average a year3.92%compounded since 1970
Inflation in 19705.6%December to December
Worth in September 2026$867.84
Prices changed767.8%
Average a year3.92%
$100.00 in 1970 buys what $867.84 buys in September 2026.$100.00 × CPI 336.940 ÷ CPI 38.825 · 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
1970 dollars in September 2026 dollars
| In 1970 | In September 2026 |
|---|---|
| $1.00 | $8.68 |
| $5.00 | $43.39 |
| $10.00 | $86.78 |
| $20.00 | $173.57 |
| $50.00 | $433.92 |
| $100.00 | $867.84 |
| $500.00 | $4,339 |
| $1,000 | $8,678 |
| $10,000 | $86,784 |
| $50,000 | $433,921 |
| $100,000 | $867,843 |
$100 from 1970, decade by decade
| Year | Worth | Average CPI |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | $212.26 | 82.4 |
| 1990 | $336.53 | 130.7 |
| 2000 | $443.53 | 172.2 |
| 2010 | $561.64 | 218.1 |
| 2020 | $666.61 | 258.8 |
| September 2026 | $867.84 | 336.9 |
1970 in the inflation record
- Prices rose 5.6% in 1970 (December to December), above the 3.3% average of every year since 1914: #23 of 112 from highest to lowest.
- The 1970s averaged 7.4% a year; the decade’s highest was 1979 at 13.3%.
- Prices first stood at twice their 1970 level in January 1980, and three times in March 1988.
- A dollar today buys what 11.5¢ bought in 1970.
CPI-U each month of 1970
| Month | CPI-U |
|---|---|
| January | 37.800 |
| February | 38.000 |
| March | 38.200 |
| April | 38.500 |
| May | 38.600 |
| June | 38.800 |
| July | 39.000 |
| August | 39.000 |
| September | 39.200 |
| October | 39.400 |
| November | 39.600 |
| December | 39.800 |
| Year average | 38.825 |
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 1970 worth today?
$8.68 in September 2026. Prices have risen 767.8% since 1970, using the 1970 average CPI-U of 38.825 and the September 2026 CPI-U of 336.940 from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What was the inflation rate in 1970?
Prices rose 5.6% from December 1969 to December 1970 (CPI-U, not seasonally adjusted).
What is the average inflation rate since 1970?
3.92% a year, compounded, from 1970 to September 2026. At that rate prices double about every 18 years.
How much is $100 from 1970 worth today?
$867.84. Multiply any 1970 amount by 8.678 to get today’s money.