Value of $1 from 1970 to today
$1 in 1970 is worth
$8.63 in August 2026
Prices are 763% higher, an average of 3.92% a year. In other words, $1 today buys what $0.12 bought in 1970.
Inflation in 1970
5.7%
Average CPI in 1970
38.8
CPI in August 2026
335.0
Average inflation, 1970s
7.1%
1970 dollars in today's money
| In 1970 | In August 2026 |
|---|---|
| $1 | $8.63 |
| $5 | $43.17 |
| $10 | $86.34 |
| $20 | $172.67 |
| $50 | $431.68 |
| $100 | $863.35 |
| $500 | $4,316.75 |
| $1,000 | $8,633.51 |
| $5,000 | $43,167.53 |
| $10,000 | $86,335.05 |
| $20,000 | $172,670 |
| $50,000 | $431,675 |
| $100,000 | $863,351 |
| $1 million | $8,633,505 |
Convert another amount
How $1 from 1970 grew
Which prices rose most since 1970
Overall prices rose 763% since 1970. Some things rose far more and some far less:
| Category | Change since 1970 | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Cigarettes and tobacco | +4,022% | 6.9% |
| Water and sewer | +2,132% | 5.7% |
| Car insurance | +1,920% | 5.5% |
| Medical care | +1,644% | 5.2% |
| Dental care | +1,575% | 5.2% |
| Natural gas (utility) | +1,259% | 4.8% |
| Energy | +1,192% | 4.7% |
| Gasoline | +1,189% | 4.7% |
| Milk | +436% | 3.0% |
| Eggs | +321% | 2.6% |
| Wine | +261% | 2.3% |
| New cars | +238% | 2.2% |
| Shoes | +168% | 1.8% |
| Furniture | +151% | 1.7% |
| Clothing | +131% | 1.5% |
| Televisions | -99% | -7.9% |
Year by year since 1970
| Year | $1 from 1970 equals | Inflation that year |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | $1.00 | 5.7% |
| 1971 | $1.04 | 4.4% |
| 1972 | $1.08 | 3.2% |
| 1973 | $1.14 | 6.2% |
| 1974 | $1.27 | 11.0% |
| 1975 | $1.39 | 9.1% |
| 1976 | $1.47 | 5.8% |
| 1977 | $1.56 | 6.5% |
| 1978 | $1.68 | 7.6% |
| 1979 | $1.87 | 11.3% |
| 1980 | $2.12 | 13.5% |
| 1981 | $2.34 | 10.3% |
| 1982 | $2.49 | 6.2% |
| 1983 | $2.57 | 3.2% |
| 1984 | $2.68 | 4.3% |
| 1985 | $2.77 | 3.6% |
| 1986 | $2.82 | 1.9% |
| 1987 | $2.93 | 3.6% |
| 1988 | $3.05 | 4.1% |
| 1989 | $3.20 | 4.8% |
| 1990 | $3.37 | 5.4% |
| 1991 | $3.51 | 4.2% |
| 1992 | $3.62 | 3.0% |
| 1993 | $3.72 | 3.0% |
| 1994 | $3.82 | 2.6% |
| 1995 | $3.93 | 2.8% |
| 1996 | $4.04 | 3.0% |
| 1997 | $4.14 | 2.3% |
| 1998 | $4.20 | 1.6% |
| 1999 | $4.29 | 2.2% |
| 2000 | $4.44 | 3.4% |
| 2001 | $4.56 | 2.8% |
| 2002 | $4.64 | 1.6% |
| 2003 | $4.74 | 2.3% |
| 2004 | $4.87 | 2.7% |
| 2005 | $5.03 | 3.4% |
| 2006 | $5.20 | 3.2% |
| 2007 | $5.34 | 2.8% |
| 2008 | $5.55 | 3.8% |
| 2009 | $5.53 | -0.4% |
| 2010 | $5.62 | 1.6% |
| 2011 | $5.80 | 3.2% |
| 2012 | $5.92 | 2.1% |
| 2013 | $6.00 | 1.5% |
| 2014 | $6.10 | 1.6% |
| 2015 | $6.11 | 0.1% |
| 2016 | $6.19 | 1.3% |
| 2017 | $6.32 | 2.1% |
| 2018 | $6.47 | 2.4% |
| 2019 | $6.59 | 1.8% |
| 2020 | $6.67 | 1.2% |
| 2021 | $6.98 | 4.7% |
| 2022 | $7.54 | 8.0% |
| 2023 | $7.85 | 4.1% |
| 2024 | $8.08 | 2.9% |
| 2025 | $8.30 | 2.6% |
| August 2026 | $8.63 |
Questions
- How much is $1 from 1970 worth today?
- $1 in 1970 has the same buying power as $8.63 in August 2026, based on the Consumer Price Index.
- What was the inflation rate in 1970?
- Prices rose 5.7% in 1970, comparing the average CPI for 1970 with 1969.
- How much have prices gone up since 1970?
- Prices are 763% higher than in 1970, an average of 3.92% a year.
- What is $100 from 1970 worth today?
- $863.35. $1,000 from 1970 is worth $8,633.51.