Value of $1 from 1972 to today
$1 in 1972 is worth
$8.01 in August 2026
Prices are 701% higher, an average of 3.92% a year. In other words, $1 today buys what $0.12 bought in 1972.
Inflation in 1972
3.2%
Average CPI in 1972
41.8
CPI in August 2026
335.0
Average inflation, 1970s
7.1%
1972 dollars in today's money
| In 1972 | In August 2026 |
|---|---|
| $1 | $8.01 |
| $5 | $40.07 |
| $10 | $80.14 |
| $20 | $160.28 |
| $50 | $400.69 |
| $100 | $801.39 |
| $500 | $4,006.94 |
| $1,000 | $8,013.88 |
| $5,000 | $40,069.38 |
| $10,000 | $80,138.76 |
| $20,000 | $160,278 |
| $50,000 | $400,694 |
| $100,000 | $801,388 |
| $1 million | $8,013,876 |
Convert another amount
How $1 from 1972 grew
Which prices rose most since 1972
Overall prices rose 701% since 1972. Some things rose far more and some far less:
| Category | Change since 1972 | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Cigarettes and tobacco | +3,610% | 6.9% |
| Water and sewer | +1,843% | 5.6% |
| Car insurance | +1,720% | 5.5% |
| Medical care | +1,490% | 5.2% |
| Dental care | +1,413% | 5.1% |
| Gasoline | +1,167% | 4.8% |
| Energy | +1,111% | 4.7% |
| Natural gas (utility) | +1,106% | 4.7% |
| Milk | +413% | 3.1% |
| Eggs | +392% | 3.0% |
| Wine | +232% | 2.2% |
| New cars | +228% | 2.2% |
| Shoes | +152% | 1.7% |
| Furniture | +139% | 1.6% |
| Clothing | +120% | 1.5% |
| Televisions | -99% | -8.2% |
Year by year since 1972
| Year | $1 from 1972 equals | Inflation that year |
|---|---|---|
| 1972 | $1.00 | 3.2% |
| 1973 | $1.06 | 6.2% |
| 1974 | $1.18 | 11.0% |
| 1975 | $1.29 | 9.1% |
| 1976 | $1.36 | 5.8% |
| 1977 | $1.45 | 6.5% |
| 1978 | $1.56 | 7.6% |
| 1979 | $1.74 | 11.3% |
| 1980 | $1.97 | 13.5% |
| 1981 | $2.17 | 10.3% |
| 1982 | $2.31 | 6.2% |
| 1983 | $2.38 | 3.2% |
| 1984 | $2.49 | 4.3% |
| 1985 | $2.57 | 3.6% |
| 1986 | $2.62 | 1.9% |
| 1987 | $2.72 | 3.6% |
| 1988 | $2.83 | 4.1% |
| 1989 | $2.97 | 4.8% |
| 1990 | $3.13 | 5.4% |
| 1991 | $3.26 | 4.2% |
| 1992 | $3.36 | 3.0% |
| 1993 | $3.46 | 3.0% |
| 1994 | $3.55 | 2.6% |
| 1995 | $3.65 | 2.8% |
| 1996 | $3.75 | 3.0% |
| 1997 | $3.84 | 2.3% |
| 1998 | $3.90 | 1.6% |
| 1999 | $3.99 | 2.2% |
| 2000 | $4.12 | 3.4% |
| 2001 | $4.24 | 2.8% |
| 2002 | $4.30 | 1.6% |
| 2003 | $4.40 | 2.3% |
| 2004 | $4.52 | 2.7% |
| 2005 | $4.67 | 3.4% |
| 2006 | $4.82 | 3.2% |
| 2007 | $4.96 | 2.8% |
| 2008 | $5.15 | 3.8% |
| 2009 | $5.13 | -0.4% |
| 2010 | $5.22 | 1.6% |
| 2011 | $5.38 | 3.2% |
| 2012 | $5.49 | 2.1% |
| 2013 | $5.57 | 1.5% |
| 2014 | $5.66 | 1.6% |
| 2015 | $5.67 | 0.1% |
| 2016 | $5.74 | 1.3% |
| 2017 | $5.86 | 2.1% |
| 2018 | $6.01 | 2.4% |
| 2019 | $6.12 | 1.8% |
| 2020 | $6.19 | 1.2% |
| 2021 | $6.48 | 4.7% |
| 2022 | $7.00 | 8.0% |
| 2023 | $7.29 | 4.1% |
| 2024 | $7.50 | 2.9% |
| 2025 | $7.70 | 2.6% |
| August 2026 | $8.01 |
Questions
- How much is $1 from 1972 worth today?
- $1 in 1972 has the same buying power as $8.01 in August 2026, based on the Consumer Price Index.
- What was the inflation rate in 1972?
- Prices rose 3.2% in 1972, comparing the average CPI for 1972 with 1971.
- How much have prices gone up since 1972?
- Prices are 701% higher than in 1972, an average of 3.92% a year.
- What is $100 from 1972 worth today?
- $801.39. $1,000 from 1972 is worth $8,013.88.