How much is $500 in 1918 worth today?

$500 in 1918 is worth $11,092.05 in August 2026 dollars, according to the U.S. Consumer Price Index.

How much would I need today to match $500 in 1918?

You would need $11,092.05 to buy what $500 bought in 1918. That is 22.18 times as much.

Kept as cash, $500 from 1918 buys only what $22.54 of 1918 money bought. It has lost 95% of its buying power.

Prices rose 18.0% in 1918. Since then the average has been 2.91% a year.

$500 in 1918 has the same buying power as

$11,092.05 in August 2026

That is 2,118% more, an average inflation rate of 2.91% a year over 108 years.

Put the other way, $500 today buys what $22.54 bought in 1918. Cash kept under the mattress since 1918 has lost 95% of its value.

$500 from 1918 in each later year's dollars

Not everything rose at the same pace. What $500 spent on each of these in 1918 costs today:

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

$500.00 in 1918 has the same buying power as

$11,092.05 in August 2026

Prices rose 2,118.4% in total, an average of 2.91% a year.

How much is $500 in 1918 worth today?: $500 in 1918 is worth $11,092.05 in August 2026 dollars, according to the U.S. Consumer Price Index.
How much would I need today to match $500 in 1918?: You would need $11,092.05 to buy what $500 bought in 1918. That is 22.18 times as much.
How much buying power has $500 lost since 1918?: Kept as cash, $500 from 1918 buys only what $22.54 of 1918 money bought. It has lost 95% of its buying power.
What was inflation in 1918?: Prices rose 18.0% in 1918. Since then the average has been 2.91% a year.