Value of $1 from 1920 to 1937
$1 in 1920 is equivalent in purchasing power to about $0.67 in 1937, a difference of $-0.33 over 17 years. The dollar had an average deflation rate of -2.29% per year since 1920, producing a cumulative price change of -32.50%.
This means that prices in 1937 are 32.5% lower than average prices in 1920, according to Statistics Canada consumer price index.
The inflation rate in 1920 was 16.30%. The inflation rate in 1937 was 3.60%. The 1937 inflation rate is higher compared to the average inflation rate of 3.51% per year between 1937 and 2026.
⌃
| Cumulative price change | -32.50% |
| Average inflation rate | -2.29% |
|
Converted amount
$1 base | $0.67 |
|
Price difference
$1 base | $-0.33 |
| CPI in 1920 | 11.358 |
| CPI in 1937 | 7.667 |
| Inflation in 1920 | 16.30% |
| Inflation in 1937 | 3.60% |
| $1 in 1920 | $0.67 in 1937 |
Buying power of $1 in 1920
This chart shows a calculation of buying power equivalence for $1 in 1920 (price index tracking began in 1914).
For example, if you started with $1, you would need to end with $0.67 in order to "adjust" for inflation (sometimes refered to as "beating inflation").
According to Statistics Canada, each of these CAD amounts below is equal in terms of what it could buy at the time:
This conversion table shows various other 1920 amounts in 1937 dollars, based on the -32.50% change in prices:
| Initial value | Equivalent value |
|---|---|
| $1 dollar in 1920 | $0.67 dollars in 1937 |
| $5 dollars in 1920 | $3.37 dollars in 1937 |
| $10 dollars in 1920 | $6.75 dollars in 1937 |
| $50 dollars in 1920 | $33.75 dollars in 1937 |
| $100 dollars in 1920 | $67.50 dollars in 1937 |
| $500 dollars in 1920 | $337.49 dollars in 1937 |
| $1,000 dollars in 1920 | $674.98 dollars in 1937 |
| $5,000 dollars in 1920 | $3,374.91 dollars in 1937 |
| $10,000 dollars in 1920 | $6,749.82 dollars in 1937 |
| $50,000 dollars in 1920 | $33,749.08 dollars in 1937 |
| $100,000 dollars in 1920 | $67,498.17 dollars in 1937 |
| $500,000 dollars in 1920 | $337,490.83 dollars in 1937 |
| $1,000,000 dollars in 1920 | $674,981.66 dollars in 1937 |
How to calculate inflation rate for $1, 1920 to 1937
Our calculations use the following inflation rate formula to calculate the change in value between 1920 and 1937:
CPI in 1937CPI in 1920
×
1920 CAD value
=
1937 CAD value
Then plug in historical CPI values. The Canadian CPI was 11.35833333 in the year 1920 and 7.666666667 in 1937:
7.66666666711.35833333
×
$1
=
$0.67
$1 in 1920 has the same "purchasing power" or "buying power" as $0.67 in 1937.
To get the total inflation rate for the 17 years between 1920 and 1937, we use the following formula:
CPI in 1937 - CPI in 1920CPI in 1920
×
100
=
Cumulative inflation rate (17 years)
Plugging in the values to this equation, we get:
7.666666667 - 11.3583333311.35833333
×
100
=
-33%
Frequently asked questions
How much is $1 from 1920 worth in 1937?
$1 in 1920 has about the same buying power as $0.67 in 1937, based on the consumer price index published by Statistics Canada. Prices in 1937 are 32.50% lower than they were in 1920.
What was the inflation rate in 1920?
The Canadian inflation rate in 1920 was 16.30%, measured as the change in the consumer price index from 1919 to 1920. See inflation in 1920 for more detail.
What has the average inflation rate been from 1920 to 1937?
Prices fell by an average of 2.29% per year between 1920 and 1937, a cumulative decrease of 32.50%. Because inflation compounds, these yearly changes add up over 17 years.
How is this calculated?
Divide the CPI in 1937 (7.667) by the CPI in 1920 (11.358), then multiply by the original amount: 7.667 ÷ 11.358 × $1 = $0.67. See the step-by-step formula above.
Data source & citation
Raw data for these calculations comes from the government of Canada's annual Consumer Price Index (CPI), established in 1914 and computed by Statistics Canada (StatCan).
You may use the following MLA citation for this page: “$1 in 1920 → $0.67 in 1937 | Canada Inflation Calculator.” Official Inflation Data, Alioth Finance, 9 Oct. 2026, https://www.officialdata.org/canada/inflation/1920?amount=1&endYear=1937.
Special thanks to QuickChart for their chart image API, which is used for chart downloads.
in2013dollars.com is a reference website maintained by the Official Data Foundation.
| Cumulative price change | -32.50% |
| Average inflation rate | -2.29% |
|
Converted amount
$1 base | $0.67 |
|
Price difference
$1 base | $-0.33 |
| CPI in 1920 | 11.358 |
| CPI in 1937 | 7.667 |
| Inflation in 1920 | 16.30% |
| Inflation in 1937 | 3.60% |
| $1 in 1920 | $0.67 in 1937 |