U.S. inflation · 1933–1997
$100 in 1933 has the same buying power as
$1,235
in 1997
| Cumulative price change | 1134.6% |
|---|---|
| Average inflation rate | 4.01% per year |
| Converted amount ($100 base) | $1,235 |
| Price difference ($100 base) | $1,135 |
| CPI in 1933 | 13 |
| CPI in 1997 | 160.5 |
| Inflation in 1933 | -5.11% |
| Inflation in 1997 | 2.29% |
| $100 in 1933 → 1997 | $1,235 |
| $100 in 1997 → 1933 | $8.10 |
Between 1933 and 1997, the Consumer Price Index went from 13 to 160.5. Cumulatively, prices increased 1134.6%, which works out to an average of 4.01% per year. Put differently, a dollar in 1933 bought what $0.08 buys in 1997.
| Amount in 1933 | Value in 1997 |
|---|---|
| $1.00 | $12.35 |
| $5.00 | $61.73 |
| $10.00 | $123 |
| $20.00 | $247 |
| $50.00 | $617 |
| $100 | $1,235 |
| $500 | $6,173 |
| $1,000 | $12,346 |
| $5,000 | $61,731 |
| $10,000 | $123,462 |
| $100,000 | $1,234,615 |
| $1,000,000 | $12,346,154 |
The headline number is an average. Individual categories moved very differently over this period. Here is what $100 of 1933 spending costs in 1997, by category:
| Category | Avg. yearly inflation | $100 in 1933 → |
|---|---|---|
| All items (CPI-U) | 4.01% | $1,235 |
| Food | 4.34% | $1,513 |
| Apparel | 3.10% | $707 |
Not shown because the BLS began these indexes after 1933: core (all items less food & energy) (1957–), energy (1957–), housing (1967–), medical care (1935–), transportation (1935–), recreation (1993–), education & communication (1993–).
| Year | CPI | Inflation rate | $100 from 1933 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1933 | 13 | -5.1% | $100 |
| 1938 | 14.1 | -2.1% | $108 |
| 1943 | 17.3 | 6.1% | $133 |
| 1948 | 24.1 | 8.1% | $185 |
| 1953 | 26.7 | 0.8% | $205 |
| 1958 | 28.9 | 2.8% | $222 |
| 1963 | 30.6 | 1.3% | $235 |
| 1968 | 34.8 | 4.2% | $268 |
| 1973 | 44.4 | 6.2% | $342 |
| 1978 | 65.2 | 7.6% | $502 |
| 1983 | 99.6 | 3.2% | $766 |
| 1988 | 118.3 | 4.1% | $910 |
| 1993 | 144.5 | 3.0% | $1,112 |
| 1997 | 160.5 | 2.3% | $1,235 |
Long periods are sampled every 5 years; the calculator above covers any pair of years.
MLA: “Inflation from 1933 to 1997: $100 is worth $1,235 today.” InflationCalculator.com, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI-U data, https://inflationcalculator.com/inflation/1933-to-1997/
APA: InflationCalculator.com. Inflation from 1933 to 1997. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI-U data. Retrieved from https://inflationcalculator.com/inflation/1933-to-1997/
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, CPI-U annual averages (series CUUR0000SA0; category indexes listed on the data sources page). See how these numbers are calculated.