How much is $500 in 1938 worth today?

$500 in 1938 is worth $11,878.72 in August 2026 dollars, according to the U.S. Consumer Price Index.

How much would I need today to match $500 in 1938?

You would need $11,878.72 to buy what $500 bought in 1938. That is 23.76 times as much.

Kept as cash, $500 from 1938 buys only what $21.05 of 1938 money bought. It has lost 96% of its buying power.

Prices rose -2.1% in 1938. Since then the average has been 3.66% a year.

$500 in 1938 has the same buying power as

$11,878.72 in August 2026

That is 2,276% more, an average inflation rate of 3.66% a year over 88 years.

Put the other way, $500 today buys what $21.05 bought in 1938. Cash kept under the mattress since 1938 has lost 96% of its value.

$500 from 1938 in each later year's dollars

Not everything rose at the same pace. What $500 spent on each of these in 1938 costs today:

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

$500.00 in 1938 has the same buying power as

$11,878.72 in August 2026

Prices rose 2,275.7% in total, an average of 3.66% a year.

How much is $500 in 1938 worth today?: $500 in 1938 is worth $11,878.72 in August 2026 dollars, according to the U.S. Consumer Price Index.
How much would I need today to match $500 in 1938?: You would need $11,878.72 to buy what $500 bought in 1938. That is 23.76 times as much.
How much buying power has $500 lost since 1938?: Kept as cash, $500 from 1938 buys only what $21.05 of 1938 money bought. It has lost 96% of its buying power.
What was inflation in 1938?: Prices rose -2.1% in 1938. Since then the average has been 3.66% a year.