Inflation & buying power
$1,000 in 1920 is worth how much today?
$1,000 in 1920 has the same buying power as about $16,661 today (July 2026). Prices have risen roughly 1566% since 1920 — an average of about 2.7% a year.
What this means
$1,000 in 1920 — during the Roaring Twenties — stretched a lot further than it does now. To match that same buying power today you'd need about $16,661, because everyday prices have climbed about 1566% in the 106 years since.
Put another way, today's dollar buys what about $0.06 bought in 1920.
The inflation behind the number
- Total inflation since 1920: about 1566%.
- Average annual inflation: about 2.7% per year.
- Time span: 106 years (1920 → 2026).
- Source: CPI-U (CPIAUCNS), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics via FRED.
$1,000 in other years, worth today
| $1,000 in… | Worth today |
|---|---|
| 1920 | $16,661 |
| 1950 | $13,875 |
| 1970 | $8,601 |
| 1980 | $4,052 |
| 1990 | $2,556 |
| 2000 | $1,939 |
| 2010 | $1,531 |
| 2020 | $1,290 |
Frequently asked questions
$1,000 in 1920 is worth how much today?
$1,000 in 1920 has the same buying power as about $16,661 in July 2026. That reflects roughly 1566% total inflation since 1920.
Why is $1,000 from 1920 worth more today?
Prices have risen over time (inflation), so it takes more dollars now to buy what $1,000 bought in 1920. The increase averages about 2.7% per year over 106 years.
How is this calculated?
We multiply the original amount by the ratio of today's Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) to the CPI in the original year, using official data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics via FRED.
Last reviewed August 31, 2026. Figures based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Estimates for general education, not financial advice.