Value of $1 from 1979 to today
$1 in 1979 is worth
$4.61 in August 2026
Prices are 361% higher, an average of 3.30% a year. In other words, $1 today buys what $0.22 bought in 1979.
Inflation in 1979
11.3%
Average CPI in 1979
72.6
CPI in August 2026
335.0
Average inflation, 1970s
7.1%
1979 dollars in today's money
| In 1979 | In August 2026 |
|---|---|
| $1 | $4.61 |
| $5 | $23.07 |
| $10 | $46.14 |
| $20 | $92.28 |
| $50 | $230.70 |
| $100 | $461.40 |
| $500 | $2,307.02 |
| $1,000 | $4,614.05 |
| $5,000 | $23,070.25 |
| $10,000 | $46,140.50 |
| $20,000 | $92,280.99 |
| $50,000 | $230,702 |
| $100,000 | $461,405 |
| $1 million | $4,614,050 |
Convert another amount
How $1 from 1979 grew
Which prices rose most since 1979
Overall prices rose 361% since 1979. Some things rose far more and some far less:
| Category | Change since 1979 | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Cigarettes and tobacco | +2,550% | 7.2% |
| College tuition | +1,426% | 6.0% |
| Car insurance | +1,019% | 5.3% |
| Water and sewer | +1,005% | 5.2% |
| Dental care | +831% | 4.8% |
| Medical care | +779% | 4.7% |
| Prescription drugs | +729% | 4.6% |
| Potatoes | +621% | 4.3% |
| Bananas | +172% | 2.1% |
| New cars | +119% | 1.7% |
| Wine | +118% | 1.7% |
| Shoes | +78% | 1.2% |
| Furniture | +64% | 1.0% |
| Clothing | +61% | 1.0% |
| Toys | -64% | -2.1% |
| Televisions | -99% | -9.4% |
Year by year since 1979
| Year | $1 from 1979 equals | Inflation that year |
|---|---|---|
| 1979 | $1.00 | 11.3% |
| 1980 | $1.13 | 13.5% |
| 1981 | $1.25 | 10.3% |
| 1982 | $1.33 | 6.2% |
| 1983 | $1.37 | 3.2% |
| 1984 | $1.43 | 4.3% |
| 1985 | $1.48 | 3.6% |
| 1986 | $1.51 | 1.9% |
| 1987 | $1.56 | 3.6% |
| 1988 | $1.63 | 4.1% |
| 1989 | $1.71 | 4.8% |
| 1990 | $1.80 | 5.4% |
| 1991 | $1.88 | 4.2% |
| 1992 | $1.93 | 3.0% |
| 1993 | $1.99 | 3.0% |
| 1994 | $2.04 | 2.6% |
| 1995 | $2.10 | 2.8% |
| 1996 | $2.16 | 3.0% |
| 1997 | $2.21 | 2.3% |
| 1998 | $2.25 | 1.6% |
| 1999 | $2.29 | 2.2% |
| 2000 | $2.37 | 3.4% |
| 2001 | $2.44 | 2.8% |
| 2002 | $2.48 | 1.6% |
| 2003 | $2.53 | 2.3% |
| 2004 | $2.60 | 2.7% |
| 2005 | $2.69 | 3.4% |
| 2006 | $2.78 | 3.2% |
| 2007 | $2.86 | 2.8% |
| 2008 | $2.97 | 3.8% |
| 2009 | $2.96 | -0.4% |
| 2010 | $3.00 | 1.6% |
| 2011 | $3.10 | 3.2% |
| 2012 | $3.16 | 2.1% |
| 2013 | $3.21 | 1.5% |
| 2014 | $3.26 | 1.6% |
| 2015 | $3.26 | 0.1% |
| 2016 | $3.31 | 1.3% |
| 2017 | $3.38 | 2.1% |
| 2018 | $3.46 | 2.4% |
| 2019 | $3.52 | 1.8% |
| 2020 | $3.56 | 1.2% |
| 2021 | $3.73 | 4.7% |
| 2022 | $4.03 | 8.0% |
| 2023 | $4.20 | 4.1% |
| 2024 | $4.32 | 2.9% |
| 2025 | $4.43 | 2.6% |
| August 2026 | $4.61 |
Questions
- How much is $1 from 1979 worth today?
- $1 in 1979 has the same buying power as $4.61 in August 2026, based on the Consumer Price Index.
- What was the inflation rate in 1979?
- Prices rose 11.3% in 1979, comparing the average CPI for 1979 with 1978.
- How much have prices gone up since 1979?
- Prices are 361% higher than in 1979, an average of 3.30% a year.
- What is $100 from 1979 worth today?
- $461.40. $1,000 from 1979 is worth $4,614.05.