How much is $500 in 1926 worth today?

$500 in 1926 is worth $9,462.71 in August 2026 dollars, according to the U.S. Consumer Price Index.

How much would I need today to match $500 in 1926?

You would need $9,462.71 to buy what $500 bought in 1926. That is 18.93 times as much.

Kept as cash, $500 from 1926 buys only what $26.42 of 1926 money bought. It has lost 95% of its buying power.

Prices rose 1.1% in 1926. Since then the average has been 2.98% a year.

$500 in 1926 has the same buying power as

$9,462.71 in August 2026

That is 1,793% more, an average inflation rate of 2.98% a year over 100 years.

Put the other way, $500 today buys what $26.42 bought in 1926. Cash kept under the mattress since 1926 has lost 95% of its value.

$500 from 1926 in each later year's dollars

Not everything rose at the same pace. What $500 spent on each of these in 1926 costs today:

Amount ($) From year From month To year To month

$500.00 in 1926 has the same buying power as

$9,462.71 in August 2026

Prices rose 1,792.5% in total, an average of 2.98% a year.

How much is $500 in 1926 worth today?: $500 in 1926 is worth $9,462.71 in August 2026 dollars, according to the U.S. Consumer Price Index.
How much would I need today to match $500 in 1926?: You would need $9,462.71 to buy what $500 bought in 1926. That is 18.93 times as much.
How much buying power has $500 lost since 1926?: Kept as cash, $500 from 1926 buys only what $26.42 of 1926 money bought. It has lost 95% of its buying power.
What was inflation in 1926?: Prices rose 1.1% in 1926. Since then the average has been 2.98% a year.