$1 in 1959 is worth $11.51 today
$1 in 1959 has the same buying power as
$11.51 in August 2026
That is 1,051% more, an average inflation rate of 3.71% a year over 67 years.
Put the other way, $1 today buys what $0.09 bought in 1959. Cash kept under the mattress since 1959 has lost 91% of its value.
$1 from nearby years
| $1 in | Worth in August 2026 | Inflation that year |
|---|---|---|
| 1954 | $12.45 | 0.7% |
| 1955 | $12.50 | -0.4% |
| 1956 | $12.32 | 1.5% |
| 1957 | $11.92 | 3.3% |
| 1958 | $11.59 | 2.8% |
| 1959 | $11.51 | 0.7% |
| 1960 | $11.32 | 1.7% |
| 1961 | $11.20 | 1.0% |
| 1962 | $11.09 | 1.0% |
| 1963 | $10.95 | 1.3% |
| 1964 | $10.81 | 1.3% |
How $1 from 1959 grew
$1 of 1959 spending, by category
Not everything rose at the same pace. What $1 spent on each of these in 1959 costs today:
| Category | Cost in August 2026 |
|---|---|
| Food | $11.80 |
| Rent | $11.75 |
| Gasoline | $15.18 |
| Medical care | $27.58 |
| New cars | $3.44 |
| Electricity | $10.51 |
| Clothing | $3.04 |
Try a different amount or date
Questions
- How much is $1 in 1959 worth today?
- $1 in 1959 is worth $11.51 in August 2026 dollars, according to the U.S. Consumer Price Index.
- How much would I need today to match $1 in 1959?
- You would need $11.51 to buy what $1 bought in 1959. That is 11.51 times as much.
- How much buying power has $1 lost since 1959?
- Kept as cash, $1 from 1959 buys only what $0.09 of 1959 money bought. It has lost 91% of its buying power.
- What was inflation in 1959?
- Prices rose 0.7% in 1959. Since then the average has been 3.71% a year.
Other amounts from 1959
- $5 in 1959
- $10 in 1959
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- $5,000 in 1959
- $10,000 in 1959
- $20,000 in 1959
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- $1 million in 1959