Prices are now 23.4x higher than in 1937
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, something that cost $100 in 1937 costs about $2,339.86 today. The inflation rate in 1937 was 3.6%, and total inflation from 1937 to September 2026 was 2,240%.
The S&P 500 index started 1937 at 17.59. With dividends reinvested, $100 invested in the S&P 500 in 1937 would have grown to about $925,357.59 by 2026, before adjusting for inflation.
Some costs rose much faster than others. Compared with overall inflation, heating oil rose the most since 1937 (218% more than inflation), and clothing rose the least (73% less).
| All prices, on average | $2,339.86 |
| Food | $2,664.35 |
| Eggs | $769.76 |
| Meat | $2,841.84 |
| Sugar and sweets | $2,856.90 |
| Rent | $1,955.39 |
| Electricity | $1,021.74 |
| Natural gas | $2,126.73 |
| Heating oil | $7,445.61 |
Cost of living in 1937 by category
The Bureau of Labor Statistics began publishing average prices for individual items in 1980. For 1937, these comparisons use the consumer price index for each spending category: each row shows what something that cost $100 in 1937 costs in September 2026, and how that compares with overall inflation of 2,240%.
Food & drink
| Category | $100 in 1937 today | Compared with inflation |
|---|---|---|
| Food | $100 in 1937 today$2,664.35 | Compared with inflation14% more than inflation |
| Eggs | $100 in 1937 today$769.76 | Compared with inflation67% less than inflation |
| Meat | $100 in 1937 today$2,841.84 | Compared with inflation21% more than inflation |
| Sugar and sweets | $100 in 1937 today$2,856.90 | Compared with inflation22% more than inflation |
Housing & energy
| Category | $100 in 1937 today | Compared with inflation |
|---|---|---|
| Rent | $100 in 1937 today$1,955.39 | Compared with inflation16% less than inflation |
| Electricity | $100 in 1937 today$1,021.74 | Compared with inflation56% less than inflation |
| Natural gas | $100 in 1937 today$2,126.73 | Compared with inflation9% less than inflation |
| Heating oil | $100 in 1937 today$7,445.61 | Compared with inflation218% more than inflation |
Transportation
| Category | $100 in 1937 today | Compared with inflation |
|---|---|---|
| Gasoline | $100 in 1937 today$2,394.35 | Compared with inflation2% more than inflation |
| Public transportation | $100 in 1937 today$3,263.48 | Compared with inflation39% more than inflation |
Other costs
| Category | $100 in 1937 today | Compared with inflation |
|---|---|---|
| Clothing | $100 in 1937 today$620.85 | Compared with inflation73% less than inflation |
| Medical care | $100 in 1937 today$5,762.43 | Compared with inflation146% more than inflation |
Frequently asked questions
How much is $1 from 1937 worth today?
$1 in 1937 has about the same buying power as $23.40 today, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics consumer price index.
What was the inflation rate in 1937?
The U.S. inflation rate in 1937 was 3.6%, measured as the change in the consumer price index from 1936 to 1937.
Which costs rose the most since 1937?
Of the spending categories tracked since 1937, heating oil rose the most relative to overall inflation: something that cost $100 in 1937 costs about $7,445.61 today. Clothing rose the least, to about $620.85.
Where these numbers come from
Category comparisons use the Bureau of Labor Statistics consumer price index for each category, from the 1937 annual average to September 2026. Overall inflation uses the same consumer price index as our 1937 inflation calculator. S&P 500 values are from Robert Shiller's historical stock market data.
Prices in other years
- 1914
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- 2023
- 2024
- 2025
| All prices, on average | $2,339.86 |
| Food | $2,664.35 |
| Eggs | $769.76 |
| Meat | $2,841.84 |
| Sugar and sweets | $2,856.90 |
| Rent | $1,955.39 |
| Electricity | $1,021.74 |
| Natural gas | $2,126.73 |
| Heating oil | $7,445.61 |