Value of $1 from 1953 to today
$1 in 1953 is worth
$12.55 in August 2026
Prices are 1,155% higher, an average of 3.52% a year. In other words, $1 today buys what $0.08 bought in 1953.
Inflation in 1953
0.8%
Average CPI in 1953
26.7
CPI in August 2026
335.0
Average inflation, 1950s
2.0%
1953 dollars in today's money
| In 1953 | In August 2026 |
|---|---|
| $1 | $12.55 |
| $5 | $62.73 |
| $10 | $125.46 |
| $20 | $250.92 |
| $50 | $627.30 |
| $100 | $1,254.61 |
| $500 | $6,273.03 |
| $1,000 | $12,546.07 |
| $5,000 | $62,730.34 |
| $10,000 | $125,461 |
| $20,000 | $250,921 |
| $50,000 | $627,303 |
| $100,000 | $1,254,607 |
| $1 million | $12,546,067 |
Convert another amount
How $1 from 1953 grew
Which prices rose most since 1953
Overall prices rose 1,155% since 1953. Some things rose far more and some far less:
| Category | Change since 1953 | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Cigarettes and tobacco | +7,320% | 6.1% |
| Water and sewer | +4,596% | 5.4% |
| Car insurance | +4,038% | 5.2% |
| Medical care | +3,328% | 5.0% |
| Dental care | +2,755% | 4.7% |
| Doctor visits | +2,425% | 4.5% |
| Postage | +2,353% | 4.5% |
| Services | +2,133% | 4.3% |
| Bananas | +447% | 2.4% |
| Shoes | +350% | 2.1% |
| Chicken and poultry | +342% | 2.1% |
| New cars | +280% | 1.8% |
| Eggs | +280% | 1.8% |
| Furniture | +218% | 1.6% |
| Clothing | +217% | 1.6% |
| Televisions | -99% | -6.5% |
Year by year since 1953
| Year | $1 from 1953 equals | Inflation that year |
|---|---|---|
| 1953 | $1.00 | 0.8% |
| 1954 | $1.01 | 0.7% |
| 1955 | $1.00 | -0.4% |
| 1956 | $1.02 | 1.5% |
| 1957 | $1.05 | 3.3% |
| 1958 | $1.08 | 2.8% |
| 1959 | $1.09 | 0.7% |
| 1960 | $1.11 | 1.7% |
| 1961 | $1.12 | 1.0% |
| 1962 | $1.13 | 1.0% |
| 1963 | $1.15 | 1.3% |
| 1964 | $1.16 | 1.3% |
| 1965 | $1.18 | 1.6% |
| 1966 | $1.21 | 2.9% |
| 1967 | $1.25 | 3.1% |
| 1968 | $1.30 | 4.2% |
| 1969 | $1.37 | 5.5% |
| 1970 | $1.45 | 5.7% |
| 1971 | $1.52 | 4.4% |
| 1972 | $1.57 | 3.2% |
| 1973 | $1.66 | 6.2% |
| 1974 | $1.85 | 11.0% |
| 1975 | $2.01 | 9.1% |
| 1976 | $2.13 | 5.8% |
| 1977 | $2.27 | 6.5% |
| 1978 | $2.44 | 7.6% |
| 1979 | $2.72 | 11.3% |
| 1980 | $3.09 | 13.5% |
| 1981 | $3.40 | 10.3% |
| 1982 | $3.61 | 6.2% |
| 1983 | $3.73 | 3.2% |
| 1984 | $3.89 | 4.3% |
| 1985 | $4.03 | 3.6% |
| 1986 | $4.10 | 1.9% |
| 1987 | $4.25 | 3.6% |
| 1988 | $4.43 | 4.1% |
| 1989 | $4.64 | 4.8% |
| 1990 | $4.90 | 5.4% |
| 1991 | $5.10 | 4.2% |
| 1992 | $5.25 | 3.0% |
| 1993 | $5.41 | 3.0% |
| 1994 | $5.55 | 2.6% |
| 1995 | $5.71 | 2.8% |
| 1996 | $5.88 | 3.0% |
| 1997 | $6.01 | 2.3% |
| 1998 | $6.10 | 1.6% |
| 1999 | $6.24 | 2.2% |
| 2000 | $6.45 | 3.4% |
| 2001 | $6.63 | 2.8% |
| 2002 | $6.74 | 1.6% |
| 2003 | $6.89 | 2.3% |
| 2004 | $7.07 | 2.7% |
| 2005 | $7.31 | 3.4% |
| 2006 | $7.55 | 3.2% |
| 2007 | $7.77 | 2.8% |
| 2008 | $8.06 | 3.8% |
| 2009 | $8.04 | -0.4% |
| 2010 | $8.17 | 1.6% |
| 2011 | $8.42 | 3.2% |
| 2012 | $8.60 | 2.1% |
| 2013 | $8.72 | 1.5% |
| 2014 | $8.87 | 1.6% |
| 2015 | $8.88 | 0.1% |
| 2016 | $8.99 | 1.3% |
| 2017 | $9.18 | 2.1% |
| 2018 | $9.40 | 2.4% |
| 2019 | $9.58 | 1.8% |
| 2020 | $9.69 | 1.2% |
| 2021 | $10.15 | 4.7% |
| 2022 | $10.96 | 8.0% |
| 2023 | $11.41 | 4.1% |
| 2024 | $11.75 | 2.9% |
| 2025 | $12.06 | 2.6% |
| August 2026 | $12.55 |
Questions
- How much is $1 from 1953 worth today?
- $1 in 1953 has the same buying power as $12.55 in August 2026, based on the Consumer Price Index.
- What was the inflation rate in 1953?
- Prices rose 0.8% in 1953, comparing the average CPI for 1953 with 1952.
- How much have prices gone up since 1953?
- Prices are 1,155% higher than in 1953, an average of 3.52% a year.
- What is $100 from 1953 worth today?
- $1,254.61. $1,000 from 1953 is worth $12,546.07.