How much is $500 in 1917 worth today?

$500 in 1917 is worth $13,085.16 in August 2026 dollars, according to the U.S. Consumer Price Index.

How much would I need today to match $500 in 1917?

You would need $13,085.16 to buy what $500 bought in 1917. That is 26.17 times as much.

Kept as cash, $500 from 1917 buys only what $19.11 of 1917 money bought. It has lost 96% of its buying power.

Prices rose 17.4% in 1917. Since then the average has been 3.04% a year.

$500 in 1917 has the same buying power as

$13,085.16 in August 2026

That is 2,517% more, an average inflation rate of 3.04% a year over 109 years.

Put the other way, $500 today buys what $19.11 bought in 1917. Cash kept under the mattress since 1917 has lost 96% of its value.

$500 from 1917 in each later year's dollars

Not everything rose at the same pace. What $500 spent on each of these in 1917 costs today:

Amount ($) From year From month To year To month

$500.00 in 1917 has the same buying power as

$13,085.16 in August 2026

Prices rose 2,517.0% in total, an average of 3.04% a year.

How much is $500 in 1917 worth today?: $500 in 1917 is worth $13,085.16 in August 2026 dollars, according to the U.S. Consumer Price Index.
How much would I need today to match $500 in 1917?: You would need $13,085.16 to buy what $500 bought in 1917. That is 26.17 times as much.
How much buying power has $500 lost since 1917?: Kept as cash, $500 from 1917 buys only what $19.11 of 1917 money bought. It has lost 96% of its buying power.
What was inflation in 1917?: Prices rose 17.4% in 1917. Since then the average has been 3.04% a year.