$1 in 1982 is worth $3.47 today
$1 in 1982 has the same buying power as
$3.47 in August 2026
That is 247% more, an average inflation rate of 2.86% a year over 44 years.
Put the other way, $1 today buys what $0.29 bought in 1982. Cash kept under the mattress since 1982 has lost 71% of its value.
$1 from nearby years
| $1 in | Worth in August 2026 | Inflation that year |
|---|---|---|
| 1977 | $5.53 | 6.5% |
| 1978 | $5.14 | 7.6% |
| 1979 | $4.61 | 11.3% |
| 1980 | $4.07 | 13.5% |
| 1981 | $3.69 | 10.3% |
| 1982 | $3.47 | 6.2% |
| 1983 | $3.36 | 3.2% |
| 1984 | $3.22 | 4.3% |
| 1985 | $3.11 | 3.6% |
| 1986 | $3.06 | 1.9% |
| 1987 | $2.95 | 3.6% |
How $1 from 1982 grew
$1 of 1982 spending, by category
Not everything rose at the same pace. What $1 spent on each of these in 1982 costs today:
| Category | Cost in August 2026 |
|---|---|
| Food | $3.60 |
| Rent | $4.75 |
| Gasoline | $3.50 |
| Medical care | $6.41 |
| New cars | $1.84 |
| College tuition | $10.94 |
| Electricity | $3.24 |
| Clothing | $1.40 |
Try a different amount or date
Questions
- How much is $1 in 1982 worth today?
- $1 in 1982 is worth $3.47 in August 2026 dollars, according to the U.S. Consumer Price Index.
- How much would I need today to match $1 in 1982?
- You would need $3.47 to buy what $1 bought in 1982. That is 3.47 times as much.
- How much buying power has $1 lost since 1982?
- Kept as cash, $1 from 1982 buys only what $0.29 of 1982 money bought. It has lost 71% of its buying power.
- What was inflation in 1982?
- Prices rose 6.2% in 1982. Since then the average has been 2.86% a year.
Other amounts from 1982
- $5 in 1982
- $10 in 1982
- $20 in 1982
- $50 in 1982
- $100 in 1982
- $500 in 1982
- $1,000 in 1982
- $5,000 in 1982
- $10,000 in 1982
- $20,000 in 1982
- $50,000 in 1982
- $100,000 in 1982
- $1 million in 1982