$1 in 1917 is worth $26.17 today
$1 in 1917 has the same buying power as
$26.17 in August 2026
That is 2,517% more, an average inflation rate of 3.04% a year over 109 years.
Put the other way, $1 today buys what $0.04 bought in 1917. Cash kept under the mattress since 1917 has lost 96% of its value.
$1 from nearby years
| $1 in | Worth in August 2026 | Inflation that year |
|---|---|---|
| 1913 | $33.84 | |
| 1914 | $33.50 | 1.0% |
| 1915 | $33.17 | 1.0% |
| 1916 | $30.73 | 7.9% |
| 1917 | $26.17 | 17.4% |
| 1918 | $22.18 | 18.0% |
| 1919 | $19.36 | 14.6% |
| 1920 | $16.75 | 15.6% |
| 1921 | $18.71 | -10.5% |
| 1922 | $19.94 | -6.1% |
How $1 from 1917 grew
$1 of 1917 spending, by category
Not everything rose at the same pace. What $1 spent on each of these in 1917 costs today:
| Category | Cost in August 2026 |
|---|---|
| Food | $24.17 |
| Rent | $21.18 |
| Electricity | $7.56 |
| Clothing | $6.77 |
Try a different amount or date
Questions
- How much is $1 in 1917 worth today?
- $1 in 1917 is worth $26.17 in August 2026 dollars, according to the U.S. Consumer Price Index.
- How much would I need today to match $1 in 1917?
- You would need $26.17 to buy what $1 bought in 1917. That is 26.17 times as much.
- How much buying power has $1 lost since 1917?
- Kept as cash, $1 from 1917 buys only what $0.04 of 1917 money bought. It has lost 96% of its buying power.
- What was inflation in 1917?
- Prices rose 17.4% in 1917. Since then the average has been 3.04% a year.
Other amounts from 1917
- $5 in 1917
- $10 in 1917
- $20 in 1917
- $50 in 1917
- $100 in 1917
- $500 in 1917
- $1,000 in 1917
- $5,000 in 1917
- $10,000 in 1917
- $20,000 in 1917
- $50,000 in 1917
- $100,000 in 1917
- $1 million in 1917