$1 million in 1974 is worth $6,794,726 today
$1 million in 1974 has the same buying power as
$6,794,726 in August 2026
That is 579% more, an average inflation rate of 3.74% a year over 52 years.
Put the other way, $1 million today buys what $147,173 bought in 1974. Cash kept under the mattress since 1974 has lost 85% of its value.
$1 million from nearby years
| $1 million in | Worth in August 2026 | Inflation that year |
|---|---|---|
| 1969 | $9,127,520 | 5.5% |
| 1970 | $8,633,505 | 5.7% |
| 1971 | $8,271,111 | 4.4% |
| 1972 | $8,013,876 | 3.2% |
| 1973 | $7,544,595 | 6.2% |
| 1974 | $6,794,726 | 11.0% |
| 1975 | $6,226,394 | 9.1% |
| 1976 | $5,887,170 | 5.8% |
| 1977 | $5,527,723 | 6.5% |
| 1978 | $5,137,730 | 7.6% |
| 1979 | $4,614,050 | 11.3% |
How $1 million from 1974 grew
$1 million of 1974 spending, by category
Not everything rose at the same pace. What $1 million spent on each of these in 1974 costs today:
| Category | Cost in August 2026 |
|---|---|
| Food | $6,359,673 |
| Rent | $8,134,004 |
| Gasoline | $8,524,597 |
| Medical care | $13,985,920 |
| New cars | $3,098,534 |
| Electricity | $7,030,771 |
| Clothing | $1,970,490 |
Try a different amount or date
Questions
- How much is $1 million in 1974 worth today?
- $1 million in 1974 is worth $6,794,726 in August 2026 dollars, according to the U.S. Consumer Price Index.
- How much would I need today to match $1 million in 1974?
- You would need $6,794,726 to buy what $1 million bought in 1974. That is 6.79 times as much.
- How much buying power has $1 million lost since 1974?
- Kept as cash, $1 million from 1974 buys only what $147,173 of 1974 money bought. It has lost 85% of its buying power.
- What was inflation in 1974?
- Prices rose 11.0% in 1974. Since then the average has been 3.74% a year.
Other amounts from 1974
- $1 in 1974
- $5 in 1974
- $10 in 1974
- $20 in 1974
- $50 in 1974
- $100 in 1974
- $500 in 1974
- $1,000 in 1974
- $5,000 in 1974
- $10,000 in 1974
- $20,000 in 1974
- $50,000 in 1974
- $100,000 in 1974