How much is $500 in 1982 worth today?

$500 in 1982 is worth $1,735.65 in August 2026 dollars, according to the U.S. Consumer Price Index.

How much would I need today to match $500 in 1982?

You would need $1,735.65 to buy what $500 bought in 1982. That is 3.47 times as much.

Kept as cash, $500 from 1982 buys only what $144.04 of 1982 money bought. It has lost 71% of its buying power.

Prices rose 6.2% in 1982. Since then the average has been 2.86% a year.

$500 in 1982 has the same buying power as

$1,735.65 in August 2026

That is 247% more, an average inflation rate of 2.86% a year over 44 years.

Put the other way, $500 today buys what $144.04 bought in 1982. Cash kept under the mattress since 1982 has lost 71% of its value.

$500 from 1982 in each later year's dollars

Not everything rose at the same pace. What $500 spent on each of these in 1982 costs today:

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

$500.00 in 1982 has the same buying power as

$1,735.65 in August 2026

Prices rose 247.1% in total, an average of 2.86% a year.

How much is $500 in 1982 worth today?: $500 in 1982 is worth $1,735.65 in August 2026 dollars, according to the U.S. Consumer Price Index.
How much would I need today to match $500 in 1982?: You would need $1,735.65 to buy what $500 bought in 1982. That is 3.47 times as much.
How much buying power has $500 lost since 1982?: Kept as cash, $500 from 1982 buys only what $144.04 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.