$500 in 2001 is worth $945.74 today
$500 in 2001 has the same buying power as
$945.74 in August 2026
That is 89% more, an average inflation rate of 2.57% a year over 25 years.
Put the other way, $500 today buys what $264.34 bought in 2001. Cash kept under the mattress since 2001 has lost 47% of its value.
$500 from nearby years
| $500 in | Worth in August 2026 | Inflation that year |
|---|---|---|
| 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% |
| 2005 | $857.60 | 3.4% |
| 2006 | $830.80 | 3.2% |
How $500 from 2001 grew
$500 of 2001 spending, by category
Not everything rose at the same pace. What $500 spent on each of these in 2001 costs today:
| Category | Cost in August 2026 |
|---|---|
| Food | $1,012.18 |
| Rent | $1,168.65 |
| Gasoline | $1,450.56 |
| Medical care | $1,086.88 |
| New cars | $632.35 |
| College tuition | $1,415.62 |
| Electricity | $1,125.03 |
| Clothing | $537.12 |
Try a different amount or date
Questions
- How much is $500 in 2001 worth today?
- $500 in 2001 is worth $945.74 in August 2026 dollars, according to the U.S. Consumer Price Index.
- How much would I need today to match $500 in 2001?
- You would need $945.74 to buy what $500 bought in 2001. That is 1.89 times as much.
- How much buying power has $500 lost since 2001?
- Kept as cash, $500 from 2001 buys only what $264.34 of 2001 money bought. It has lost 47% of its buying power.
- What was inflation in 2001?
- Prices rose 2.8% in 2001. Since then the average has been 2.57% a year.
Other amounts from 2001
- $1 in 2001
- $5 in 2001
- $10 in 2001
- $20 in 2001
- $50 in 2001
- $100 in 2001
- $1,000 in 2001
- $5,000 in 2001
- $10,000 in 2001
- $20,000 in 2001
- $50,000 in 2001
- $100,000 in 2001
- $1 million in 2001