$1 in 1987 is worth $2.95 today
$1 in 1987 has the same buying power as
$2.95 in August 2026
That is 195% more, an average inflation rate of 2.80% a year over 39 years.
Put the other way, $1 today buys what $0.34 bought in 1987. Cash kept under the mattress since 1987 has lost 66% of its value.
$1 from nearby years
| $1 in | Worth in August 2026 | Inflation that year |
|---|---|---|
| 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% |
| 1988 | $2.83 | 4.1% |
| 1989 | $2.70 | 4.8% |
| 1990 | $2.56 | 5.4% |
| 1991 | $2.46 | 4.2% |
| 1992 | $2.39 | 3.0% |
How $1 from 1987 grew
$1 of 1987 spending, by category
Not everything rose at the same pace. What $1 spent on each of these in 1987 costs today:
| Category | Cost in August 2026 |
|---|---|
| Food | $3.09 |
| Rent | $3.65 |
| Gasoline | $4.49 |
| Medical care | $4.56 |
| New cars | $1.57 |
| College tuition | $7.08 |
| Electricity | $2.82 |
| Clothing | $1.24 |
Try a different amount or date
Questions
- How much is $1 in 1987 worth today?
- $1 in 1987 is worth $2.95 in August 2026 dollars, according to the U.S. Consumer Price Index.
- How much would I need today to match $1 in 1987?
- You would need $2.95 to buy what $1 bought in 1987. That is 2.95 times as much.
- How much buying power has $1 lost since 1987?
- Kept as cash, $1 from 1987 buys only what $0.34 of 1987 money bought. It has lost 66% of its buying power.
- What was inflation in 1987?
- Prices rose 3.6% in 1987. Since then the average has been 2.80% a year.
Other amounts from 1987
- $5 in 1987
- $10 in 1987
- $20 in 1987
- $50 in 1987
- $100 in 1987
- $500 in 1987
- $1,000 in 1987
- $5,000 in 1987
- $10,000 in 1987
- $20,000 in 1987
- $50,000 in 1987
- $100,000 in 1987
- $1 million in 1987