$20 in 1927 is worth $385.03 today
$20 in 1927 has the same buying power as
$385.03 in August 2026
That is 1,825% more, an average inflation rate of 3.03% a year over 99 years.
Put the other way, $20 today buys what $1.04 bought in 1927. Cash kept under the mattress since 1927 has lost 95% of its value.
$20 from nearby years
| $20 in | Worth in August 2026 | Inflation that year |
|---|---|---|
| 1922 | $398.79 | -6.1% |
| 1923 | $391.79 | 1.8% |
| 1924 | $391.79 | 0.0% |
| 1925 | $382.83 | 2.3% |
| 1926 | $378.51 | 1.1% |
| 1927 | $385.03 | -1.7% |
| 1928 | $391.79 | -1.7% |
| 1929 | $391.79 | 0.0% |
| 1930 | $401.17 | -2.3% |
| 1931 | $440.76 | -9.0% |
| 1932 | $489.02 | -9.9% |
How $20 from 1927 grew
$20 of 1927 spending, by category
Not everything rose at the same pace. What $20 spent on each of these in 1927 costs today:
| Category | Cost in August 2026 |
|---|---|
| Food | $427.34 |
| Rent | $266.47 |
| Electricity | $155.03 |
| Clothing | $108.10 |
Try a different amount or date
Questions
- How much is $20 in 1927 worth today?
- $20 in 1927 is worth $385.03 in August 2026 dollars, according to the U.S. Consumer Price Index.
- How much would I need today to match $20 in 1927?
- You would need $385.03 to buy what $20 bought in 1927. That is 19.25 times as much.
- How much buying power has $20 lost since 1927?
- Kept as cash, $20 from 1927 buys only what $1.04 of 1927 money bought. It has lost 95% of its buying power.
- What was inflation in 1927?
- Prices rose -1.7% in 1927. Since then the average has been 3.03% a year.
Other amounts from 1927
- $1 in 1927
- $5 in 1927
- $10 in 1927
- $50 in 1927
- $100 in 1927
- $500 in 1927
- $1,000 in 1927
- $5,000 in 1927
- $10,000 in 1927
- $20,000 in 1927
- $50,000 in 1927
- $100,000 in 1927
- $1 million in 1927