Value of $1 from 1986 to today
$1 in 1986 is worth
$3.06 in August 2026
Prices are 206% higher, an average of 2.82% a year. In other words, $1 today buys what $0.33 bought in 1986.
Inflation in 1986
1.9%
Average CPI in 1986
109.6
CPI in August 2026
335.0
Average inflation, 1980s
5.5%
1986 dollars in today's money
| In 1986 | In August 2026 |
|---|---|
| $1 | $3.06 |
| $5 | $15.28 |
| $10 | $30.56 |
| $20 | $61.13 |
| $50 | $152.82 |
| $100 | $305.64 |
| $500 | $1,528.19 |
| $1,000 | $3,056.39 |
| $5,000 | $15,281.93 |
| $10,000 | $30,563.87 |
| $20,000 | $61,127.74 |
| $50,000 | $152,819 |
| $100,000 | $305,639 |
| $1 million | $3,056,387 |
Convert another amount
How $1 from 1986 grew
Which prices rose most since 1986
Overall prices rose 206% since 1986. Some things rose far more and some far less:
| Category | Change since 1986 | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Cigarettes and tobacco | +1,309% | 6.8% |
| College tuition | +662% | 5.2% |
| Water and sewer | +541% | 4.7% |
| Car insurance | +528% | 4.7% |
| Dental care | +445% | 4.3% |
| Cable and streaming TV | +429% | 4.2% |
| Beef | +425% | 4.2% |
| Medical care | +386% | 4.0% |
| Wine | +75% | 1.4% |
| Used cars and trucks | +70% | 1.3% |
| New cars | +62% | 1.2% |
| Shoes | +49% | 1.0% |
| Clothing | +29% | 0.6% |
| Furniture | +24% | 0.5% |
| Toys | -72% | -3.1% |
| Televisions | -99% | -10.5% |
Year by year since 1986
| Year | $1 from 1986 equals | Inflation that year |
|---|---|---|
| 1986 | $1.00 | 1.9% |
| 1987 | $1.04 | 3.6% |
| 1988 | $1.08 | 4.1% |
| 1989 | $1.13 | 4.8% |
| 1990 | $1.19 | 5.4% |
| 1991 | $1.24 | 4.2% |
| 1992 | $1.28 | 3.0% |
| 1993 | $1.32 | 3.0% |
| 1994 | $1.35 | 2.6% |
| 1995 | $1.39 | 2.8% |
| 1996 | $1.43 | 3.0% |
| 1997 | $1.46 | 2.3% |
| 1998 | $1.49 | 1.6% |
| 1999 | $1.52 | 2.2% |
| 2000 | $1.57 | 3.4% |
| 2001 | $1.62 | 2.8% |
| 2002 | $1.64 | 1.6% |
| 2003 | $1.68 | 2.3% |
| 2004 | $1.72 | 2.7% |
| 2005 | $1.78 | 3.4% |
| 2006 | $1.84 | 3.2% |
| 2007 | $1.89 | 2.8% |
| 2008 | $1.96 | 3.8% |
| 2009 | $1.96 | -0.4% |
| 2010 | $1.99 | 1.6% |
| 2011 | $2.05 | 3.2% |
| 2012 | $2.09 | 2.1% |
| 2013 | $2.13 | 1.5% |
| 2014 | $2.16 | 1.6% |
| 2015 | $2.16 | 0.1% |
| 2016 | $2.19 | 1.3% |
| 2017 | $2.24 | 2.1% |
| 2018 | $2.29 | 2.4% |
| 2019 | $2.33 | 1.8% |
| 2020 | $2.36 | 1.2% |
| 2021 | $2.47 | 4.7% |
| 2022 | $2.67 | 8.0% |
| 2023 | $2.78 | 4.1% |
| 2024 | $2.86 | 2.9% |
| 2025 | $2.94 | 2.6% |
| August 2026 | $3.06 |
Questions
- How much is $1 from 1986 worth today?
- $1 in 1986 has the same buying power as $3.06 in August 2026, based on the Consumer Price Index.
- What was the inflation rate in 1986?
- Prices rose 1.9% in 1986, comparing the average CPI for 1986 with 1985.
- How much have prices gone up since 1986?
- Prices are 206% higher than in 1986, an average of 2.82% a year.
- What is $100 from 1986 worth today?
- $305.64. $1,000 from 1986 is worth $3,056.39.