$500 in 1999 is worth $1,005.34 today
$500 in 1999 has the same buying power as
$1,005.34 in August 2026
That is 101% more, an average inflation rate of 2.61% a year over 27 years.
Put the other way, $500 today buys what $248.67 bought in 1999. Cash kept under the mattress since 1999 has lost 50% of its value.
$500 from nearby years
| $500 in | Worth in August 2026 | Inflation that year |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | $1,130.16 | 2.6% |
| 1995 | $1,099.02 | 2.8% |
| 1996 | $1,067.50 | 3.0% |
| 1997 | $1,043.55 | 2.3% |
| 1998 | $1,027.55 | 1.6% |
| 1999 | $1,005.34 | 2.2% |
| 2000 | $972.65 | 3.4% |
| 2001 | $945.74 | 2.8% |
| 2002 | $931.02 | 1.6% |
| 2003 | $910.27 | 2.3% |
| 2004 | $886.66 | 2.7% |
How $500 from 1999 grew
$500 of 1999 spending, by category
Not everything rose at the same pace. What $500 spent on each of these in 1999 costs today:
| Category | Cost in August 2026 |
|---|---|
| Food | $1,067.70 |
| Rent | $1,264.78 |
| Gasoline | $1,796.89 |
| Medical care | $1,183.17 |
| New cars | $628.81 |
| College tuition | $1,549.32 |
| Electricity | $1,225.52 |
| Clothing | $520.76 |
Try a different amount or date
Questions
- How much is $500 in 1999 worth today?
- $500 in 1999 is worth $1,005.34 in August 2026 dollars, according to the U.S. Consumer Price Index.
- How much would I need today to match $500 in 1999?
- You would need $1,005.34 to buy what $500 bought in 1999. That is 2.01 times as much.
- How much buying power has $500 lost since 1999?
- Kept as cash, $500 from 1999 buys only what $248.67 of 1999 money bought. It has lost 50% of its buying power.
- What was inflation in 1999?
- Prices rose 2.2% in 1999. Since then the average has been 2.61% a year.
Other amounts from 1999
- $1 in 1999
- $5 in 1999
- $10 in 1999
- $20 in 1999
- $50 in 1999
- $100 in 1999
- $1,000 in 1999
- $5,000 in 1999
- $10,000 in 1999
- $20,000 in 1999
- $50,000 in 1999
- $100,000 in 1999
- $1 million in 1999