Inflation & buying power
What is 1982 dollars worth today?
$1 in 1982 has the same buying power as about $3.47 today (May 2026). Cumulative inflation since 1982 is about 247%, or roughly 2.9% per year over 44 years.
What 1982 money is worth today
| In 1982 | Worth today (May 2026) |
|---|---|
| $10.00 | $34.73 |
| $100.00 | $347.28 |
| $1,000 | $3,473 |
| $10,000 | $34,728 |
| $100,000 | $347,278 |
Based on the U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI-U). A 1982 dollar is worth about $3.47 now.
What this means
A dollar in 1982 — during the 1980s — stretched a lot further than it does now. To match that same buying power today you'd need about $3.47, because everyday prices have climbed about 247% in the 44 years since.
Put another way, today's dollar buys what about $0.29 bought in 1982.
The inflation behind the number
- Total inflation since 1982: about 247%.
- Average annual inflation: about 2.9% per year.
- Time span: 44 years (1982 → 2026).
- Source: CPI-U (CPIAUCNS), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics via FRED.
Frequently asked questions
How much is $1 from 1982 worth today?
$1 in 1982 has the same buying power as about $3.47 in May 2026, because prices have risen roughly 247% since then (an average of about 2.9% a year).
How much has inflation been since 1982?
Cumulative inflation from 1982 to May 2026 is about 247%. In other words, something that cost $100 in 1982 costs about $347.28 now.
Where does this data come from?
It uses the U.S. Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U, series CPIAUCNS) published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics via FRED, using annual-average CPI for past years and the latest monthly value for today.