Prices are now 22.0x higher than in 1931
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, something that cost $100 in 1931 costs about $2,203.82 today. The inflation rate in 1931 was -9.0%, and total inflation from 1931 to August 2026 was 2,104%.
The S&P 500 index started 1931 at 15.98. With dividends reinvested, $100 invested in the S&P 500 in 1931 would have grown to about $1,423,088.18 by 2026, before adjusting for inflation.
Some costs rose much faster than others. Compared with overall inflation, food rose the most since 1931 (23% more than inflation), and clothing rose the least (73% less).
| All prices, on average | $2,203.82 |
| Food | $2,699.97 |
| Rent | $1,482.95 |
| Electricity | $830.08 |
| Clothing | $601.46 |
Cost of living in 1931 by category
The Bureau of Labor Statistics began publishing average prices for individual items in 1980. For 1931, these comparisons use the consumer price index for each spending category: each row shows what something that cost $100 in 1931 costs in August 2026, and how that compares with overall inflation of 2,104%.
Food & drink
| Category | $100 in 1931 today | Compared with inflation |
|---|---|---|
| Food | $100 in 1931 today$2,699.97 | Compared with inflation23% more than inflation |
Housing & energy
| Category | $100 in 1931 today | Compared with inflation |
|---|---|---|
| Rent | $100 in 1931 today$1,482.95 | Compared with inflation33% less than inflation |
| Electricity | $100 in 1931 today$830.08 | Compared with inflation62% less than inflation |
Other costs
| Category | $100 in 1931 today | Compared with inflation |
|---|---|---|
| Clothing | $100 in 1931 today$601.46 | Compared with inflation73% less than inflation |
Frequently asked questions
How much is $1 from 1931 worth today?
$1 in 1931 has about the same buying power as $22.04 today, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics consumer price index.
What was the inflation rate in 1931?
The U.S. inflation rate in 1931 was -9.0%, measured as the change in the consumer price index from 1930 to 1931.
Which costs rose the most since 1931?
Of the spending categories tracked since 1931, food rose the most relative to overall inflation: something that cost $100 in 1931 costs about $2699.97 today. Clothing rose the least, to about $601.46.
Where these numbers come from
Category comparisons use the Bureau of Labor Statistics consumer price index for each category, from the 1931 annual average to August 2026. Overall inflation uses the same consumer price index as our 1931 inflation calculator. S&P 500 values are from Robert Shiller's historical stock market data.
Prices in other years
- 1914
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| All prices, on average | $2,203.82 |
| Food | $2,699.97 |
| Rent | $1,482.95 |
| Electricity | $830.08 |
| Clothing | $601.46 |