$1 million in 1989 is worth $2,701,452 today
$1 million in 1989 has the same buying power as
$2,701,452 in August 2026
That is 170% more, an average inflation rate of 2.71% a year over 37 years.
Put the other way, $1 million today buys what $370,171 bought in 1989. Cash kept under the mattress since 1989 has lost 63% of its value.
$1 million from nearby years
| $1 million in | Worth in August 2026 | Inflation that year |
|---|---|---|
| 1984 | $3,224,062 | 4.3% |
| 1985 | $3,113,197 | 3.6% |
| 1986 | $3,056,387 | 1.9% |
| 1987 | $2,948,768 | 3.6% |
| 1988 | $2,831,615 | 4.1% |
| 1989 | $2,701,452 | 4.8% |
| 1990 | $2,562,969 | 5.4% |
| 1991 | $2,459,471 | 4.2% |
| 1992 | $2,387,598 | 3.0% |
| 1993 | $2,318,201 | 3.0% |
| 1994 | $2,260,324 | 2.6% |
How $1 million from 1989 grew
$1 million of 1989 spending, by category
Not everything rose at the same pace. What $1 million spent on each of these in 1989 costs today:
| Category | Cost in August 2026 |
|---|---|
| Food | $2,801,103 |
| Rent | $3,381,002 |
| Gasoline | $4,064,836 |
| Medical care | $3,971,889 |
| New cars | $1,507,676 |
| College tuition | $6,099,679 |
| Electricity | $2,703,200 |
| Clothing | $1,153,052 |
Try a different amount or date
Questions
- How much is $1 million in 1989 worth today?
- $1 million in 1989 is worth $2,701,452 in August 2026 dollars, according to the U.S. Consumer Price Index.
- How much would I need today to match $1 million in 1989?
- You would need $2,701,452 to buy what $1 million bought in 1989. That is 2.70 times as much.
- How much buying power has $1 million lost since 1989?
- Kept as cash, $1 million from 1989 buys only what $370,171 of 1989 money bought. It has lost 63% of its buying power.
- What was inflation in 1989?
- Prices rose 4.8% in 1989. Since then the average has been 2.71% a year.
Other amounts from 1989
- $1 in 1989
- $5 in 1989
- $10 in 1989
- $20 in 1989
- $50 in 1989
- $100 in 1989
- $500 in 1989
- $1,000 in 1989
- $5,000 in 1989
- $10,000 in 1989
- $20,000 in 1989
- $50,000 in 1989
- $100,000 in 1989