How much is $500 in 1988 worth today?

$500 in 1988 is worth $1,415.81 in August 2026 dollars, according to the U.S. Consumer Price Index.

How much would I need today to match $500 in 1988?

You would need $1,415.81 to buy what $500 bought in 1988. That is 2.83 times as much.

Kept as cash, $500 from 1988 buys only what $176.58 of 1988 money bought. It has lost 65% of its buying power.

Prices rose 4.1% in 1988. Since then the average has been 2.77% a year.

$500 in 1988 has the same buying power as

$1,415.81 in August 2026

That is 183% more, an average inflation rate of 2.77% a year over 38 years.

Put the other way, $500 today buys what $176.58 bought in 1988. Cash kept under the mattress since 1988 has lost 65% of its value.

$500 from 1988 in each later year's dollars

Not everything rose at the same pace. What $500 spent on each of these in 1988 costs today:

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

$500.00 in 1988 has the same buying power as

$1,415.81 in August 2026

Prices rose 183.2% in total, an average of 2.77% a year.

How much is $500 in 1988 worth today?: $500 in 1988 is worth $1,415.81 in August 2026 dollars, according to the U.S. Consumer Price Index.
How much would I need today to match $500 in 1988?: You would need $1,415.81 to buy what $500 bought in 1988. That is 2.83 times as much.
How much buying power has $500 lost since 1988?: Kept as cash, $500 from 1988 buys only what $176.58 of 1988 money bought. It has lost 65% of its buying power.
What was inflation in 1988?: Prices rose 4.1% in 1988. Since then the average has been 2.77% a year.