How much is $500 in 1931 worth today?

$500 in 1931 is worth $11,019.08 in August 2026 dollars, according to the U.S. Consumer Price Index.

How much would I need today to match $500 in 1931?

You would need $11,019.08 to buy what $500 bought in 1931. That is 22.04 times as much.

Kept as cash, $500 from 1931 buys only what $22.69 of 1931 money bought. It has lost 95% of its buying power.

Prices rose -9.0% in 1931. Since then the average has been 3.30% a year.

$500 in 1931 has the same buying power as

$11,019.08 in August 2026

That is 2,104% more, an average inflation rate of 3.30% a year over 95 years.

Put the other way, $500 today buys what $22.69 bought in 1931. Cash kept under the mattress since 1931 has lost 95% of its value.

$500 from 1931 in each later year's dollars

Not everything rose at the same pace. What $500 spent on each of these in 1931 costs today:

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

$500.00 in 1931 has the same buying power as

$11,019.08 in August 2026

Prices rose 2,103.8% in total, an average of 3.30% a year.

How much is $500 in 1931 worth today?: $500 in 1931 is worth $11,019.08 in August 2026 dollars, according to the U.S. Consumer Price Index.
How much would I need today to match $500 in 1931?: You would need $11,019.08 to buy what $500 bought in 1931. That is 22.04 times as much.
How much buying power has $500 lost since 1931?: Kept as cash, $500 from 1931 buys only what $22.69 of 1931 money bought. It has lost 95% of its buying power.
What was inflation in 1931?: Prices rose -9.0% in 1931. Since then the average has been 3.30% a year.