Prices are now 24.1x higher than in 1936
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, something that cost $100 in 1936 costs about $2,409.93 today. The inflation rate in 1936 was 1.5%, and total inflation from 1936 to August 2026 was 2,310%.
The S&P 500 index started 1936 at 13.76. With dividends reinvested, $100 invested in the S&P 500 in 1936 would have grown to about $1,212,024.28 by 2026, before adjusting for inflation.
Some costs rose much faster than others. Compared with overall inflation, heating oil rose the most since 1936 (244% more than inflation), and clothing rose the least (73% less).
| All prices, on average | $2,409.93 |
| Food | $2,771.59 |
| Eggs | $753.37 |
| Meat | $3,068.70 |
| Sugar and sweets | $2,901.70 |
| Rent | $2,039.34 |
| Electricity | $997.99 |
| Natural gas | $2,106.73 |
| Heating oil | $8,284.01 |
Cost of living in 1936 by category
The Bureau of Labor Statistics began publishing average prices for individual items in 1980. For 1936, these comparisons use the consumer price index for each spending category: each row shows what something that cost $100 in 1936 costs in August 2026, and how that compares with overall inflation of 2,310%.
Food & drink
| Category | $100 in 1936 today | Compared with inflation |
|---|---|---|
| Food | $100 in 1936 today$2,771.59 | Compared with inflation15% more than inflation |
| Eggs | $100 in 1936 today$753.37 | Compared with inflation69% less than inflation |
| Meat | $100 in 1936 today$3,068.70 | Compared with inflation27% more than inflation |
| Sugar and sweets | $100 in 1936 today$2,901.70 | Compared with inflation20% more than inflation |
Housing & energy
| Category | $100 in 1936 today | Compared with inflation |
|---|---|---|
| Rent | $100 in 1936 today$2,039.34 | Compared with inflation15% less than inflation |
| Electricity | $100 in 1936 today$997.99 | Compared with inflation59% less than inflation |
| Natural gas | $100 in 1936 today$2,106.73 | Compared with inflation13% less than inflation |
| Heating oil | $100 in 1936 today$8,284.01 | Compared with inflation244% more than inflation |
Transportation
| Category | $100 in 1936 today | Compared with inflation |
|---|---|---|
| Gasoline | $100 in 1936 today$2,471.03 | Compared with inflation3% more than inflation |
| Public transportation | $100 in 1936 today$3,217.96 | Compared with inflation34% more than inflation |
Other costs
| Category | $100 in 1936 today | Compared with inflation |
|---|---|---|
| Clothing | $100 in 1936 today$647.26 | Compared with inflation73% less than inflation |
| Medical care | $100 in 1936 today$5,808.19 | Compared with inflation141% more than inflation |
Frequently asked questions
How much is $1 from 1936 worth today?
$1 in 1936 has about the same buying power as $24.10 today, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics consumer price index.
What was the inflation rate in 1936?
The U.S. inflation rate in 1936 was 1.5%, measured as the change in the consumer price index from 1935 to 1936.
Which costs rose the most since 1936?
Of the spending categories tracked since 1936, heating oil rose the most relative to overall inflation: something that cost $100 in 1936 costs about $8284.01 today. Clothing rose the least, to about $647.26.
Where these numbers come from
Category comparisons use the Bureau of Labor Statistics consumer price index for each category, from the 1936 annual average to August 2026. Overall inflation uses the same consumer price index as our 1936 inflation calculator. S&P 500 values are from Robert Shiller's historical stock market data.
Prices in other years
- 1914
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- 2025
| All prices, on average | $2,409.93 |
| Food | $2,771.59 |
| Eggs | $753.37 |
| Meat | $3,068.70 |
| Sugar and sweets | $2,901.70 |
| Rent | $2,039.34 |
| Electricity | $997.99 |
| Natural gas | $2,106.73 |
| Heating oil | $8,284.01 |