Value of $1 from 1978 to today
$1 in 1978 is worth
$5.14 in August 2026
Prices are 414% higher, an average of 3.46% a year. In other words, $1 today buys what $0.19 bought in 1978.
Inflation in 1978
7.6%
Average CPI in 1978
65.2
CPI in August 2026
335.0
Average inflation, 1970s
7.1%
1978 dollars in today's money
| In 1978 | In August 2026 |
|---|---|
| $1 | $5.14 |
| $5 | $25.69 |
| $10 | $51.38 |
| $20 | $102.75 |
| $50 | $256.89 |
| $100 | $513.77 |
| $500 | $2,568.87 |
| $1,000 | $5,137.73 |
| $5,000 | $25,688.65 |
| $10,000 | $51,377.30 |
| $20,000 | $102,755 |
| $50,000 | $256,887 |
| $100,000 | $513,773 |
| $1 million | $5,137,730 |
Convert another amount
How $1 from 1978 grew
Which prices rose most since 1978
Overall prices rose 414% since 1978. Some things rose far more and some far less:
| Category | Change since 1978 | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Cigarettes and tobacco | +2,682% | 7.2% |
| College tuition | +1,549% | 6.0% |
| Car insurance | +1,081% | 5.3% |
| Water and sewer | +1,056% | 5.2% |
| Dental care | +909% | 4.9% |
| Medical care | +860% | 4.8% |
| Prescription drugs | +794% | 4.7% |
| Services | +613% | 4.2% |
| Coffee | +177% | 2.1% |
| Wine | +137% | 1.8% |
| New cars | +137% | 1.8% |
| Shoes | +92% | 1.4% |
| Furniture | +74% | 1.2% |
| Clothing | +68% | 1.1% |
| Toys | -62% | -2.0% |
| Televisions | -99% | -9.2% |
Year by year since 1978
| Year | $1 from 1978 equals | Inflation that year |
|---|---|---|
| 1978 | $1.00 | 7.6% |
| 1979 | $1.11 | 11.3% |
| 1980 | $1.26 | 13.5% |
| 1981 | $1.39 | 10.3% |
| 1982 | $1.48 | 6.2% |
| 1983 | $1.53 | 3.2% |
| 1984 | $1.59 | 4.3% |
| 1985 | $1.65 | 3.6% |
| 1986 | $1.68 | 1.9% |
| 1987 | $1.74 | 3.6% |
| 1988 | $1.81 | 4.1% |
| 1989 | $1.90 | 4.8% |
| 1990 | $2.00 | 5.4% |
| 1991 | $2.09 | 4.2% |
| 1992 | $2.15 | 3.0% |
| 1993 | $2.22 | 3.0% |
| 1994 | $2.27 | 2.6% |
| 1995 | $2.34 | 2.8% |
| 1996 | $2.41 | 3.0% |
| 1997 | $2.46 | 2.3% |
| 1998 | $2.50 | 1.6% |
| 1999 | $2.56 | 2.2% |
| 2000 | $2.64 | 3.4% |
| 2001 | $2.72 | 2.8% |
| 2002 | $2.76 | 1.6% |
| 2003 | $2.82 | 2.3% |
| 2004 | $2.90 | 2.7% |
| 2005 | $3.00 | 3.4% |
| 2006 | $3.09 | 3.2% |
| 2007 | $3.18 | 2.8% |
| 2008 | $3.30 | 3.8% |
| 2009 | $3.29 | -0.4% |
| 2010 | $3.34 | 1.6% |
| 2011 | $3.45 | 3.2% |
| 2012 | $3.52 | 2.1% |
| 2013 | $3.57 | 1.5% |
| 2014 | $3.63 | 1.6% |
| 2015 | $3.64 | 0.1% |
| 2016 | $3.68 | 1.3% |
| 2017 | $3.76 | 2.1% |
| 2018 | $3.85 | 2.4% |
| 2019 | $3.92 | 1.8% |
| 2020 | $3.97 | 1.2% |
| 2021 | $4.16 | 4.7% |
| 2022 | $4.49 | 8.0% |
| 2023 | $4.67 | 4.1% |
| 2024 | $4.81 | 2.9% |
| 2025 | $4.94 | 2.6% |
| August 2026 | $5.14 |
Questions
- How much is $1 from 1978 worth today?
- $1 in 1978 has the same buying power as $5.14 in August 2026, based on the Consumer Price Index.
- What was the inflation rate in 1978?
- Prices rose 7.6% in 1978, comparing the average CPI for 1978 with 1977.
- How much have prices gone up since 1978?
- Prices are 414% higher than in 1978, an average of 3.46% a year.
- What is $100 from 1978 worth today?
- $513.77. $1,000 from 1978 is worth $5,137.73.