Value of $1 from 1985 to today
$1 in 1985 is worth
$3.11 in August 2026
Prices are 211% higher, an average of 2.80% a year. In other words, $1 today buys what $0.32 bought in 1985.
Inflation in 1985
3.6%
Average CPI in 1985
107.6
CPI in August 2026
335.0
Average inflation, 1980s
5.5%
1985 dollars in today's money
| In 1985 | In August 2026 |
|---|---|
| $1 | $3.11 |
| $5 | $15.57 |
| $10 | $31.13 |
| $20 | $62.26 |
| $50 | $155.66 |
| $100 | $311.32 |
| $500 | $1,556.60 |
| $1,000 | $3,113.20 |
| $5,000 | $15,565.99 |
| $10,000 | $31,131.97 |
| $20,000 | $62,263.94 |
| $50,000 | $155,660 |
| $100,000 | $311,320 |
| $1 million | $3,113,197 |
Convert another amount
How $1 from 1985 grew
Which prices rose most since 1985
Overall prices rose 211% since 1985. Some things rose far more and some far less:
| Category | Change since 1985 | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Cigarettes and tobacco | +1,404% | 6.8% |
| College tuition | +724% | 5.3% |
| Car insurance | +612% | 4.9% |
| Water and sewer | +575% | 4.8% |
| Dental care | +475% | 4.3% |
| Cable and streaming TV | +452% | 4.2% |
| Beef | +429% | 4.1% |
| Medical care | +422% | 4.1% |
| Wine | +79% | 1.4% |
| New cars | +69% | 1.3% |
| Used cars and trucks | +62% | 1.2% |
| Shoes | +49% | 1.0% |
| Clothing | +30% | 0.6% |
| Furniture | +27% | 0.6% |
| Toys | -72% | -3.0% |
| Televisions | -99% | -10.4% |
Year by year since 1985
| Year | $1 from 1985 equals | Inflation that year |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | $1.00 | 3.6% |
| 1986 | $1.02 | 1.9% |
| 1987 | $1.06 | 3.6% |
| 1988 | $1.10 | 4.1% |
| 1989 | $1.15 | 4.8% |
| 1990 | $1.21 | 5.4% |
| 1991 | $1.27 | 4.2% |
| 1992 | $1.30 | 3.0% |
| 1993 | $1.34 | 3.0% |
| 1994 | $1.38 | 2.6% |
| 1995 | $1.42 | 2.8% |
| 1996 | $1.46 | 3.0% |
| 1997 | $1.49 | 2.3% |
| 1998 | $1.51 | 1.6% |
| 1999 | $1.55 | 2.2% |
| 2000 | $1.60 | 3.4% |
| 2001 | $1.65 | 2.8% |
| 2002 | $1.67 | 1.6% |
| 2003 | $1.71 | 2.3% |
| 2004 | $1.76 | 2.7% |
| 2005 | $1.82 | 3.4% |
| 2006 | $1.87 | 3.2% |
| 2007 | $1.93 | 2.8% |
| 2008 | $2.00 | 3.8% |
| 2009 | $1.99 | -0.4% |
| 2010 | $2.03 | 1.6% |
| 2011 | $2.09 | 3.2% |
| 2012 | $2.13 | 2.1% |
| 2013 | $2.17 | 1.5% |
| 2014 | $2.20 | 1.6% |
| 2015 | $2.20 | 0.1% |
| 2016 | $2.23 | 1.3% |
| 2017 | $2.28 | 2.1% |
| 2018 | $2.33 | 2.4% |
| 2019 | $2.38 | 1.8% |
| 2020 | $2.41 | 1.2% |
| 2021 | $2.52 | 4.7% |
| 2022 | $2.72 | 8.0% |
| 2023 | $2.83 | 4.1% |
| 2024 | $2.92 | 2.9% |
| 2025 | $2.99 | 2.6% |
| August 2026 | $3.11 |
Questions
- How much is $1 from 1985 worth today?
- $1 in 1985 has the same buying power as $3.11 in August 2026, based on the Consumer Price Index.
- What was the inflation rate in 1985?
- Prices rose 3.6% in 1985, comparing the average CPI for 1985 with 1984.
- How much have prices gone up since 1985?
- Prices are 211% higher than in 1985, an average of 2.80% a year.
- What is $100 from 1985 worth today?
- $311.32. $1,000 from 1985 is worth $3,113.20.