# What is $100 in 1979 worth today? Inflation-adjusted value of 1979 dollars in 2026, based on US Bureau of Labor Statistics, CPI-U annual averages. **$100 in 1979** has the same buying power as about **$451.79** in 2026. Prices rose 351.8% over 47 years, an average of 3.26% per year, and the dollar lost about 78% of its 1979 purchasing power. $100 in 1979 equals $451.79 in 2026 dollars Cumulative inflation 351.8% 1979 to 2026 Inflation rate in 1979 11.3% CPI 72.6 vs 1978 CPI-U annual average: 72.6 in 1979, 328 in 2026 (1982–84 = 100). Multiplier: 4.518. [Calculate a different amount or end year](https://inflationcalculator.app/inflation?amount=100&from=1979&to=2026). ## 1979 dollars in 2026 dollars | Amount in 1979 | Value in 2026 | | --- | --- | | $1 | $4.52 | | $5 | $22.59 | | $10 | $45.18 | | $20 | $90.36 | | $50 | $225.90 | | $100 | $451.79 | | $500 | $2,259 | | $1,000 | $4,518 | | $10,000 | $45,179 | | $100,000 | $451,791 | ## Value of $100 from 1979, year by year What $100 from 1979 was worth in each later year, with that year's inflation rate. | Year | $100 in 1979 equals | Inflation rate | | --- | --- | --- | | 1979 | $100 | 11.3% | | 1980 | $113.50 | 13.5% | | 1981 | $125.21 | 10.3% | | 1982 | $132.92 | 6.2% | | 1983 | $137.19 | 3.2% | | 1984 | $143.11 | 4.3% | | 1985 | $148.21 | 3.6% | | 1986 | $150.96 | 1.9% | | 1987 | $156.47 | 3.6% | | 1988 | $162.95 | 4.1% | | 1989 | $170.80 | 4.8% | | 1990 | $180.03 | 5.4% | | 1991 | $187.60 | 4.2% | | 1992 | $193.25 | 3.0% | | 1993 | $199.04 | 3.0% | | 1994 | $204.13 | 2.6% | | 1995 | $209.92 | 2.8% | | 1996 | $216.12 | 3.0% | | 1997 | $221.07 | 2.3% | | 1998 | $224.52 | 1.6% | | 1999 | $229.48 | 2.2% | | 2000 | $237.19 | 3.4% | | 2001 | $243.94 | 2.8% | | 2002 | $247.80 | 1.6% | | 2003 | $253.44 | 2.3% | | 2004 | $260.19 | 2.7% | | 2005 | $269.01 | 3.4% | | 2006 | $277.69 | 3.2% | | 2007 | $285.54 | 2.8% | | 2008 | $296.56 | 3.9% | | 2009 | $295.45 | -0.4% | | 2010 | $300.41 | 1.7% | | 2011 | $309.78 | 3.1% | | 2012 | $316.25 | 2.1% | | 2013 | $320.94 | 1.5% | | 2014 | $326.03 | 1.6% | | 2015 | $326.45 | 0.1% | | 2016 | $330.58 | 1.3% | | 2017 | $337.60 | 2.1% | | 2018 | $345.87 | 2.4% | | 2019 | $352.20 | 1.8% | | 2020 | $356.47 | 1.2% | | 2021 | $373.28 | 4.7% | | 2022 | $403.17 | 8.0% | | 2023 | $418.87 | 3.9% | | 2024 | $431.82 | 3.1% | | 2025 | $442.15 | 2.4% | | 2026 | $451.79 | 2.2% | ## Questions about 1979 dollars ### What is $100 in 1979 worth today? $100 in 1979 is worth about $451.79 in 2026. The US dollar lost roughly 78% of its 1979 purchasing power, so it takes 4.52 2026 dollars to buy what one dollar bought in 1979. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, CPI-U annual averages (CPI 72.6 in 1979, 328 in 2026). ### How much has inflation been since 1979? Cumulative US inflation from 1979 to 2026 is about 351.8%, an average of 3.26% per year over 47 years. ### What is $1,000 in 1979 worth in 2026? $1,000 in 1979 has the same buying power as about $4,518 in 2026. ### What was the inflation rate in 1979? The US inflation rate in 1979 was 11.3%, measured as the change in the annual average CPI-U from 1978 (65.2) to 1979 (72.6). [← 1978 dollars today](https://inflationcalculator.app/inflation/1978)[All years · Inflation Calculator](https://inflationcalculator.app/inflation)[1980 dollars today →](https://inflationcalculator.app/inflation/1980) Method: value = amount × (CPI2026 ÷ CPI1979). Figures are national averages for educational use and are not financial advice. See [Understanding the CPI](https://inflationcalculator.app/learn/understanding-cpi) and [the history of US inflation](https://inflationcalculator.app/learn/history-of-us-inflation).