How much is $500 in 1991 worth today?

$500 in 1991 is worth $1,229.74 in August 2026 dollars, according to the U.S. Consumer Price Index.

How much would I need today to match $500 in 1991?

You would need $1,229.74 to buy what $500 bought in 1991. That is 2.46 times as much.

Kept as cash, $500 from 1991 buys only what $203.30 of 1991 money bought. It has lost 59% of its buying power.

Prices rose 4.2% in 1991. Since then the average has been 2.60% a year.

$500 in 1991 has the same buying power as

$1,229.74 in August 2026

That is 146% more, an average inflation rate of 2.60% a year over 35 years.

Put the other way, $500 today buys what $203.30 bought in 1991. Cash kept under the mattress since 1991 has lost 59% of its value.

$500 from 1991 in each later year's dollars

Not everything rose at the same pace. What $500 spent on each of these in 1991 costs today:

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

$500.00 in 1991 has the same buying power as

$1,229.74 in August 2026

Prices rose 145.9% in total, an average of 2.60% a year.

How much is $500 in 1991 worth today?: $500 in 1991 is worth $1,229.74 in August 2026 dollars, according to the U.S. Consumer Price Index.
How much would I need today to match $500 in 1991?: You would need $1,229.74 to buy what $500 bought in 1991. That is 2.46 times as much.
How much buying power has $500 lost since 1991?: Kept as cash, $500 from 1991 buys only what $203.30 of 1991 money bought. It has lost 59% of its buying power.
What was inflation in 1991?: Prices rose 4.2% in 1991. Since then the average has been 2.60% a year.