Value of $500 from 1705 to 1933
$500 in 1705 is equivalent in purchasing power to about $1,547.62 in 1933, an increase of $1,047.62 over 228 years. The dollar had an average inflation rate of 0.50% per year between 1705 and 1933, producing a cumulative price increase of 209.52%.
This means that prices in 1933 are 3.10 times as high as average prices since 1705, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics consumer price index.
The inflation rate in 1705 was -8.70%. The inflation rate in 1933 was -5.11%. The 1933 inflation rate is lower compared to the average inflation rate of 3.56% per year between 1933 and 2025.
Contents
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| Cumulative price change | 209.52% |
| Average inflation rate | 0.50% |
| Converted amount $500 base | $1,547.62 |
| Price difference $500 base | $1,047.62 |
| CPI in 1705 | 4.200 |
| CPI in 1933 | 13.000 |
| Inflation in 1705 | -8.70% |
| Inflation in 1933 | -5.11% |
| $500 in 1705 | $1,547.62 in 1933 |
Buying power of $500 in 1705
This chart shows a calculation of buying power equivalence for $500 in 1705 (price index tracking began in 1635).
For example, if you started with $500, you would need to end with $1,547.62 in order to "adjust" for inflation (sometimes refered to as "beating inflation").
When $500 is equivalent to $1,547.62 over time, that means that the "real value" of a single U.S. dollar decreases over time. In other words, a dollar will pay for fewer items at the store.
This effect explains how inflation erodes the value of a dollar over time. By calculating the value in 1705 dollars, the chart below shows how $500 is worth less over 228 years.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, each of these USD amounts below is equal in terms of what it could buy at the time:
This conversion table shows various other 1705 amounts in 1933 dollars, based on the 209.52% change in prices:
| Initial value | Equivalent value |
|---|---|
| $1 dollar in 1705 | $3.10 dollars in 1933 |
| $5 dollars in 1705 | $15.48 dollars in 1933 |
| $10 dollars in 1705 | $30.95 dollars in 1933 |
| $50 dollars in 1705 | $154.76 dollars in 1933 |
| $100 dollars in 1705 | $309.52 dollars in 1933 |
| $500 dollars in 1705 | $1,547.62 dollars in 1933 |
| $1,000 dollars in 1705 | $3,095.24 dollars in 1933 |
| $5,000 dollars in 1705 | $15,476.19 dollars in 1933 |
| $10,000 dollars in 1705 | $30,952.38 dollars in 1933 |
| $50,000 dollars in 1705 | $154,761.90 dollars in 1933 |
| $100,000 dollars in 1705 | $309,523.81 dollars in 1933 |
| $500,000 dollars in 1705 | $1,547,619.05 dollars in 1933 |
| $1,000,000 dollars in 1705 | $3,095,238.10 dollars in 1933 |
Inflation by Spending Category
CPI is the weighted combination of many categories of spending that are tracked by the government. Breaking down these categories helps explain the main drivers behind price changes.
This chart shows the average rate of inflation for select CPI categories between 1705 and 1933.
Compare these values to the overall average of 0.50% per year:
| Category | Avg Inflation (%) | Total Inflation (%) | $500 in 1705 → 1933 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food and beverages | 0.00 | 0.00 | 500.00 |
| Housing | 0.00 | 0.00 | 500.00 |
| Apparel | 1.24 | 1,562.68 | 8,313.41 |
| Transportation | 0.00 | 0.00 | 500.00 |
| Medical care | 0.00 | 0.00 | 500.00 |
| Recreation | 0.00 | 0.00 | 500.00 |
| Education and communication | 0.00 | 0.00 | 500.00 |
| Other goods and services | 0.00 | 0.00 | 500.00 |
The graph below compares inflation in categories of goods over time. Click on a category such as "Food" to toggle it on or off:
For all these visualizations, it's important to note that not all categories may have been tracked since 1705. This table and charts use the earliest available data for each category.
How to calculate inflation rate for $500, 1705 to 1933
Our calculations use the following inflation rate formula to calculate the change in value between 1705 and 1933:
CPI in 1933 CPI in 1705
×
1705 USD value
=
1933 USD value
Then plug in historical CPI values. The U.S. CPI was 4.2 in the year 1705 and 13 in 1933:
134.2
×
$500
=
$1,547.62
$500 in 1705 has the same "purchasing power" or "buying power" as $1,547.62 in 1933.
To get the total inflation rate for the 228 years between 1705 and 1933, we use the following formula:
CPI in 1933 - CPI in 1705CPI in 1705
×
100
=
Cumulative inflation rate (228 years)
Plugging in the values to this equation, we get:
13 - 4.24.2
×
100
=
210%
Data source & citation
Raw data for these calculations comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Consumer Price Index (CPI), established in 1913. Price index data from 1774 to 1912 is sourced from a historical study conducted by political science professor Robert Sahr at Oregon State University and from the American Antiquarian Society. Price index data from 1634 to 1773 is from the American Antiquarian Society, using British pound equivalents.
You may use the following MLA citation for this page: “$500 in 1705 → 1933 | Inflation Calculator.” Official Inflation Data, Alioth Finance, 23 Dec. 2025, https://www.officialdata.org/us/inflation/1705?amount=500&endYear=1933.
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 | 209.52% |
| Average inflation rate | 0.50% |
| Converted amount $500 base | $1,547.62 |
| Price difference $500 base | $1,047.62 |
| CPI in 1705 | 4.200 |
| CPI in 1933 | 13.000 |
| Inflation in 1705 | -8.70% |
| Inflation in 1933 | -5.11% |
| $500 in 1705 | $1,547.62 in 1933 |