S&P 500: $1 in 1949 → $3,816.93 in 2024

$

Stock market returns since 1949

If you invested $1 in the S&P 500 at the beginning of 1949, you would have about $3,816.93 at the end of 2024, assuming you reinvested all dividends. This is a return on investment of 381,592.71%, or 11.56% per year.

This lump-sum investment beats inflation during this period for an inflation-adjusted return of about 28,678.34% cumulatively, or 7.80% per year.

If you used dollar-cost averaging (monthly) instead of a lump-sum investment, you'd have $3,269.41.

The graph below shows the performance of $1 over time if invested in an S&P 500 index fund. The returns assume that all dividends are automatically reinvested.

This chart shows the rate of gains and loss by month, including dividends:

Adjusting stock market return for inflation

The nominal return on investment of $1 is $3,815.93, or 381,592.71%. This means by 2024 you would have $3,816.93 in your pocket.

However, it's important to take into account the effect of inflation when considering an investment and especially a long-term investment. You can convert S&P returns to their real (inflation-adjusted) value using an inflation calculation based on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index (CPI).

In the case of the returns described above, the CPI in 1949 was 23.800 and the CPI in 2024 was 315.664.

The ratio between these CPIs describes how relative buying power of a dollar has changed over 75 years.

Adjusted for inflation, the $3,816.93 nominal end value of the original $1 investment would have a real return of roughly $286.78 in 1949 dollars. This means the inflation-adjusted return is 28,678.34% as opposed to the original 381,592.71%.

For more information on inflation, see our U.S. inflation calculator for 1949.

Full monthly data

The table below shows the full dataset pertaining to a $1 investment, including gains and losses over the 905-month period between 1949 and 2024.

Note that data shown is the monthly average closing price. Returns include dividends.

YearMonthReturn (%)Amount ($)CPI
19491-3.33%0.9724.00
194921.49%0.9823.80
194930.41%0.9923.80
19494-0.18%0.9823.90
19495-4.91%0.9423.80
194966.26%0.9923.90
194974.17%1.0423.70
194981.87%1.0523.80
194993.14%1.0923.90
1949101.95%1.1123.70
1949113.24%1.1423.80
1949122.63%1.1723.60
195012.52%1.2023.50
195021.38%1.2223.50
195033.39%1.2623.60
195043.91%1.3123.60
195052.16%1.3423.70
19506-6.72%1.2523.80
195076.64%1.3324.10
195084.11%1.3924.30
195094.72%1.4524.40
1950100.38%1.4624.60
1950110.19%1.4624.70
1950128.01%1.5825.00
195114.31%1.6525.40
19512-1.11%1.6325.70
195131.93%1.6625.80
195140.63%1.6725.80
19515-1.15%1.6525.90
195162.37%1.6925.90
195174.97%1.7725.90
195183.14%1.8325.90
195190.03%1.8326.10
195110-2.25%1.7926.20
1951113.61%1.8526.40
1951123.83%1.9226.50
19521-1.33%1.9026.50
195220.75%1.9126.30
195230.20%1.9226.30
195240.46%1.9326.40
195253.24%1.9926.40
195263.37%2.0626.50
195270.88%2.0726.70
19528-1.11%2.0526.70
19529-1.61%2.0226.70
1952103.67%2.0926.70
1952114.51%2.1926.70
1952120.99%2.2126.70
19531-0.77%2.1926.60
195320.96%2.2126.50
19533-4.47%2.1126.60
195341.00%2.1326.60
19535-3.11%2.0726.70
195361.91%2.1126.80
195370.90%2.1326.80
19538-4.11%2.0426.90
195393.52%2.1126.90
1953102.71%2.1727.00
1953111.84%2.2126.90
1953123.02%2.2726.90
195412.68%2.3326.90
195422.58%2.4026.90
195434.45%2.5026.90
195444.42%2.6126.80
195451.22%2.6426.90
195464.46%2.7626.90
195472.39%2.8326.90
195482.74%2.9126.90
195492.71%2.9826.80
1954104.30%3.1126.80
1954114.95%3.2726.80
1954122.17%3.3426.70
195513.70%3.4626.70
19552-0.44%3.4526.70
195533.81%3.5826.70
19554-0.08%3.5726.70
195556.15%3.7926.70
195567.64%4.0826.70
19557-0.30%4.0726.80
195584.82%4.2726.80
19559-4.72%4.0726.90
1955107.07%4.3526.90
1955111.24%4.4126.90
195512-2.39%4.3026.80
195610.95%4.3426.80
195627.21%4.6626.80
195631.48%4.7326.80
19564-2.84%4.5926.90
19565-0.26%4.5827.00
195665.75%4.8427.20
19567-0.28%4.8327.40
19568-3.09%4.6827.30
19569-0.95%4.6427.40
195610-0.71%4.6027.50
1956111.81%4.6927.50
195612-1.86%4.6027.60
19571-4.00%4.4127.60
195721.62%4.4927.70
195732.64%4.6027.80
195744.16%4.8027.90
195751.95%4.8928.00
195762.32%5.0028.10
19577-5.21%4.7428.30
19578-3.74%4.5728.30
19579-5.90%4.3028.30
195710-1.80%4.2228.30
1957110.32%4.2328.40
1957122.33%4.3328.40
195810.70%4.3628.60
195822.42%4.4728.60
195830.90%4.5128.80
195843.56%4.6728.90
195852.74%4.8028.90
195863.07%4.9428.90
195874.05%5.1429.00
195882.94%5.2928.90
195894.36%5.5228.90
1958103.33%5.7128.90
1958112.16%5.8329.00
1958124.25%6.0828.90
19591-1.27%6.0029.00
195922.81%6.1728.90
195931.94%6.2928.90
195941.77%6.4029.00
19595-0.61%6.3629.00
195964.23%6.6329.10
19597-0.32%6.6129.20
19598-3.70%6.3729.20
195990.18%6.3829.30
1959100.67%6.4229.40
1959113.46%6.6429.40
195912-1.49%6.5429.40
19601-3.61%6.3129.30
19602-1.08%6.2429.40
196031.58%6.3429.40
19604-0.62%6.3029.50
196053.99%6.5529.50
19606-2.20%6.4129.60
196071.49%6.5029.60
19608-2.72%6.3329.60
19609-1.67%6.2229.60
1960103.54%6.4429.80
1960112.69%6.6129.80
1960125.43%6.9729.80
196114.37%7.2829.80
196123.40%7.5229.80
196132.92%7.7429.80
196141.26%7.8429.80
19615-1.08%7.7629.80
19616-0.03%7.7529.80
196173.84%8.0530.00
19618-0.54%8.0129.90
196191.34%8.1230.00
1961104.77%8.5030.00
1961111.16%8.6030.00
196112-3.49%8.3030.00
196211.91%8.4630.00
196220.34%8.4930.10
19623-2.94%8.2430.10
19624-7.19%7.6530.20
19625-11.41%6.7730.20
196262.72%6.9630.20
196273.02%7.1730.30
19628-0.59%7.1330.30
19629-2.86%6.9230.40
1962107.20%7.4230.40
1962114.62%7.7630.40
1962124.15%8.0930.40
196311.60%8.2230.40
19632-0.11%8.2130.40
196334.98%8.6230.50
196342.27%8.8130.50
196350.22%8.8330.50
19636-1.22%8.7230.60
196373.03%8.9930.70
196382.89%9.2530.70
196390.50%9.2930.70
196310-0.31%9.2630.80
1963112.39%9.4930.80
1963123.33%9.8030.90
196411.48%9.9530.90
196422.07%10.1530.90
196431.69%10.3330.90
196441.22%10.4530.90
19645-0.35%10.4130.90
196463.96%10.8331.00
19647-1.23%10.6931.10
196481.97%10.9031.00
196491.97%11.1231.10
1964100.94%11.2231.10
196411-1.49%11.0631.20
1964122.82%11.3731.20
196510.98%11.4831.20
196520.34%11.5231.20
196531.56%11.7031.30
196541.73%11.9031.40
19655-4.51%11.3631.40
196560.10%11.3731.60
196572.12%11.6231.60
196583.60%12.0331.60
196592.50%12.3331.60
1965101.08%12.4731.70
196511-0.21%12.4431.70
1965121.98%12.6931.80
19661-0.43%12.6331.80
19662-3.86%12.1432.00
196633.32%12.5532.10
19664-5.01%11.9232.30
19665-0.56%11.8532.30
196660.02%11.8532.40
19667-5.77%11.1732.50
19668-3.22%10.8132.70
19669-0.56%10.7532.70
1966105.32%11.3232.90
1966110.72%11.4032.90
1966124.13%11.8732.90
196713.73%12.3232.90
196722.63%12.6432.90
196731.99%12.8933.00
196742.06%13.1633.10
19675-0.99%13.0333.20
196761.99%13.2933.30
196771.85%13.5333.40
196781.65%13.7633.50
196790.10%13.7733.60
196710-2.88%13.3733.70
1967113.11%13.7933.80
196712-0.02%13.7933.90
19681-4.26%13.2034.10
19682-1.56%12.9934.20
196837.66%13.9934.30
196842.56%14.3534.40
196852.94%14.7734.50
196860.05%14.7834.70
19687-1.93%14.4934.90
196883.51%15.0035.00
196892.72%15.4135.10
1968101.79%15.6835.30
1968111.29%15.8835.40
196812-3.99%15.2535.50
19691-0.24%15.2135.60
19692-1.91%14.9235.80
196932.27%15.2636.10
196943.51%15.8036.30
19695-4.97%15.0136.40
19696-4.21%14.3836.60
19697-0.28%14.3436.80
196980.63%14.4337.00
196991.35%14.6337.10
1969101.00%14.7737.30
196911-5.03%14.0337.50
196912-0.59%13.9537.70
19701-3.20%13.5037.80
197022.01%13.7738.00
19703-2.75%13.3938.20
19704-11.20%11.8938.50
19705-0.27%11.8638.60
197060.52%11.9238.80
197073.26%12.3139.00
197086.32%13.0939.00
197092.49%13.4239.20
1970100.21%13.4439.40
1970117.16%14.4139.60
1970124.11%15.0039.80
197114.15%15.6239.80
197122.83%16.0639.90
197133.67%16.6540.00
19714-1.11%16.4740.10
19715-1.60%16.2140.30
19716-0.46%16.1340.60
19717-1.52%15.8940.70
197182.49%16.2840.80
19719-1.86%15.9840.80
197110-4.37%15.2840.90
1971117.16%16.3740.90
1971124.42%17.1041.10
197212.09%17.4541.10
197222.62%17.9141.30
197231.26%18.1441.40
19724-0.78%18.0041.50
197250.52%18.0941.60
19726-0.50%18.0041.70
197273.78%18.6841.90
19728-1.21%18.4542.00
197290.42%18.5342.10
1972105.25%19.5042.30
1972112.31%19.9542.40
1972120.99%20.1542.50
19731-3.33%19.4842.60
19732-1.35%19.2242.90
19733-1.63%18.9143.30
19734-2.57%18.4243.60
19735-1.99%18.0543.90
197361.21%18.2744.20
19737-1.64%17.9744.30
197382.00%18.3345.10
197394.24%19.1145.20
197310-6.85%17.8045.60
197311-6.81%16.5945.90
1973121.70%16.8746.20
19741-2.47%16.4546.60
197424.57%17.2047.20
19743-4.82%16.3847.80
19744-2.71%15.9348.00
197450.46%16.0148.60
19746-11.35%14.1949.00
19747-3.76%13.6649.40
19748-10.01%12.2950.00
197492.38%12.5850.60
1974103.74%13.0551.10
197411-6.09%12.2651.50
1974128.63%13.3151.90
1975110.81%14.7552.10
197524.97%15.4952.50
197531.49%15.7252.70
197546.71%16.7752.90
197552.89%17.2653.20
197560.43%17.3353.60
19757-7.00%16.1254.20
19758-0.85%15.9854.30
197594.97%16.7854.60
1975102.04%17.1254.90
197511-1.18%16.9255.30
1975129.55%18.5355.50
197614.18%19.3155.60
197620.80%19.4655.80
197631.10%19.6755.90
19764-0.38%19.6056.10
197650.90%19.7856.50
197662.67%20.3056.80
19767-0.56%20.1957.10
197682.44%20.6857.40
19769-3.11%20.0457.60
197610-0.37%19.9657.90
1976113.79%20.7258.00
197612-0.54%20.6158.20
19771-2.37%20.1258.50
19772-0.05%20.1159.10
19773-1.19%19.8759.50
197740.06%19.8860.00
197750.90%20.0660.30
197761.28%20.3260.70
19777-2.08%19.9061.00
19778-1.18%19.6661.20
19779-2.20%19.2361.40
1977100.98%19.4261.60
197711-0.08%19.4061.90
197712-3.39%18.7562.10
19781-0.97%18.5662.50
197820.27%18.6162.90
197834.83%19.5163.40
197845.50%20.5963.90
197850.67%20.7364.50
19786-0.06%20.7165.20
197877.33%22.2365.70
197880.40%22.3266.00
19789-2.77%21.7066.50
197810-5.44%20.5267.10
1978111.92%20.9167.40
1978124.19%21.7967.70
19791-1.06%21.5668.30
197922.34%22.0669.10
197932.43%22.6069.80
19794-1.89%22.1770.60
197952.42%22.7171.50
197961.42%23.0372.30
197975.01%24.1973.10
197981.54%24.5673.80
19799-3.35%23.7474.60
197910-0.32%23.6675.20
1979114.40%24.7075.90
1979123.31%25.5276.70
198014.40%26.6477.80
19802-8.78%24.3078.90
19803-1.16%24.0280.10
198045.04%25.2381.00
198056.86%26.9681.80
198064.97%28.3082.70
198073.50%29.2982.70
198082.84%30.1283.30
198093.32%31.1384.00
1980104.61%32.5684.80
198011-1.24%32.1685.50
1980120.01%32.1686.30
19811-3.07%31.1787.00
198124.14%32.4687.90
198131.29%32.8888.50
19814-1.62%32.3589.10
198150.86%32.6389.80
19816-2.02%31.9790.60
198170.80%32.2391.60
19818-8.30%29.5592.30
198191.73%30.0693.20
1981103.04%30.9893.40
1981111.18%31.3493.70
198112-4.80%29.8494.00
19821-1.91%29.2794.30
19822-2.74%28.4694.60
198235.47%30.0294.50
198240.57%30.1994.90
19825-5.27%28.6095.80
198260.24%28.6797.00
198270.79%28.9097.50
1982812.10%32.3997.70
198298.88%35.2797.90
1982104.50%36.8698.20
1982111.36%37.3698.00
1982123.93%38.8297.60
198312.13%39.6597.80
198323.87%41.1897.90
198334.20%42.9197.90
198344.42%44.8198.60
198351.75%45.5999.20
198360.71%45.9299.50
19837-2.41%44.8199.90
198383.31%46.30100.20
198390.65%46.60100.70
198310-1.14%46.06101.00
198311-0.13%46.01101.20
1983121.58%46.73101.30
19841-5.11%44.34101.90
198420.44%44.54102.40
198430.51%44.76102.60
19844-0.25%44.65103.10
19845-1.85%43.83103.40
19846-0.91%43.43103.70
198479.21%47.43104.10
198481.41%48.09104.50
19849-0.41%47.89105.00
1984101.29%48.51105.30
198411-0.71%48.17105.30
1984124.70%50.43105.30
198515.79%53.35105.50
19852-0.48%53.09106.00
198531.02%53.64106.40
198542.74%55.10106.90
198552.51%56.49107.30
198562.25%57.76107.60
19857-1.85%56.69107.80
19858-1.88%55.62108.00
198591.50%56.46108.30
1985106.42%60.08108.70
1985115.29%63.26109.00
1985120.75%63.74109.30
198615.70%67.37109.60
198626.18%71.53109.30
198632.74%73.49108.80
198640.49%73.86108.60
198653.13%76.17108.90
19866-1.80%74.80109.50
198672.28%76.50109.50
19868-2.46%74.62109.70
19869-0.09%74.56110.20
1986103.53%77.19110.30
1986111.71%78.51110.40
1986126.67%83.75110.50
198716.46%89.16111.20
198724.38%93.06111.60
19873-0.86%92.26112.10
198740.17%92.42112.70
198754.50%96.58113.10
198763.12%99.60113.50
198776.45%106.02113.80
19878-3.03%102.81114.40
19879-11.85%90.62115.00
198710-12.30%79.47115.30
198711-1.33%78.41115.40
1987124.25%81.74115.40
198813.33%84.46115.70
198823.23%87.19116.00
19883-0.89%86.42116.50
19884-2.19%84.53117.10
198856.00%89.60117.50
19886-0.31%89.33118.00
19887-1.72%87.79118.50
198881.93%89.48119.00
198893.80%92.88119.80
198810-2.02%91.01120.20
1988112.33%93.13120.30
1988123.51%96.40120.50
198913.30%99.58121.10
19892-0.16%99.42121.60
198933.56%102.96122.30
198944.12%107.20123.10
198953.39%110.83123.80
198962.80%113.94124.10
198974.69%119.28124.40
198980.46%119.83124.60
198990.29%120.17125.00
198910-1.81%117.99125.60
1989112.74%121.22125.90
198912-2.21%118.54126.10
19901-2.53%115.54127.40
199022.71%118.67128.00
199030.20%118.90128.70
199043.85%123.48128.90
199053.17%127.40129.20
199060.17%127.61129.90
19907-7.86%117.58130.40
19908-4.34%112.48131.60
19909-2.32%109.87132.70
1990102.98%113.15133.50
1990114.59%118.34133.80
199012-0.69%117.53133.80
1991111.61%131.17134.60
199123.04%135.16134.80
199132.26%138.22135.00
19914-0.18%137.97135.20
199150.35%138.45135.60
199160.78%139.53136.00
199172.68%143.27136.20
19918-0.30%142.83136.60
199190.18%143.09137.20
1991100.02%143.11137.40
1991110.94%144.45137.80
1991127.36%155.08137.90
19921-0.60%154.15138.10
19922-1.01%152.59138.60
199230.26%152.99139.30
199242.07%156.16139.50
19925-1.33%154.08139.70
199261.91%157.03140.20
199270.94%158.51140.50
199280.38%159.11140.90
19929-1.18%157.23141.30
1992102.76%161.56141.80
1992113.27%166.84142.00
1992120.14%167.08141.90
199311.72%169.96142.60
199322.15%173.62143.10
19933-1.34%171.29143.60
199340.72%172.53144.00
199350.87%174.02144.20
199360.06%174.13144.40
199371.76%177.20144.40
199381.35%179.60144.80
199391.24%181.83145.10
1993100.01%181.84145.70
1993110.89%183.46145.80
1993121.74%186.64145.80
19941-0.08%186.50146.20
19942-1.42%183.84146.70
19943-3.35%177.69147.20
199441.06%179.57147.40
199451.11%181.56147.50
19946-0.52%180.62148.00
199473.08%186.19148.40
199480.82%187.71149.00
19949-0.44%186.88149.40
199410-0.37%186.18149.50
199411-1.03%184.28149.70
1994122.45%188.79149.70
199513.82%196.00150.30
199522.56%201.02150.90
199533.22%207.48151.40
199543.35%214.43151.90
199553.18%221.24152.20
199563.55%229.09152.50
199570.51%230.27152.50
199583.72%238.83152.90
199590.91%241.01153.20
1995102.36%246.69153.70
1995113.39%255.05153.60
1995120.16%255.46153.50
199615.90%270.55154.40
19962-0.20%270.00154.90
199630.20%270.54155.70
199642.35%276.91156.30
199651.28%280.45156.60
19966-3.48%270.70156.70
199673.08%279.02157.00
199682.02%284.67157.30
199694.12%296.40157.80
1996105.05%311.37158.30
1996111.20%315.10158.60
1996123.26%325.37158.60
199714.36%339.56159.10
19972-0.62%337.44159.60
19973-3.41%325.95160.00
199749.22%355.99160.20
199755.34%374.99160.10
199765.74%396.50160.30
199770.35%397.88160.50
199781.19%402.62160.80
199791.65%409.25161.20
199710-1.15%404.53161.60
1997112.63%415.19161.50
1997120.24%416.18161.30
199816.40%442.82161.60
199825.31%466.35161.90
199833.41%482.23162.20
19984-0.22%481.16162.50
199850.12%481.72162.80
199864.47%503.24163.00
19987-6.97%468.16163.20
19988-4.90%445.23163.40
199891.29%450.98163.60
19981010.97%500.47164.00
1998114.10%521.01164.00
1998125.05%547.31163.90
19991-0.07%546.94164.30
199922.92%562.93164.50
199934.25%586.86165.00
19994-0.10%586.28166.20
19995-0.61%582.69166.20
199964.52%609.04166.20
19997-3.77%586.05166.70
19998-0.60%582.55167.10
19999-1.27%575.14167.90
1999107.11%616.00168.20
1999112.81%633.31168.30
199912-0.12%632.55168.30
20001-2.48%616.88168.80
200023.94%641.19169.80
200031.42%650.32171.20
20004-2.84%631.86171.30
200053.16%651.85171.50
200060.85%657.39172.40
200070.94%663.57172.80
20008-1.08%656.41172.80
20009-5.21%622.18173.70
200010-0.77%617.37174.00
200011-3.32%596.88174.10
2000120.46%599.59174.00
20011-2.14%586.78175.10
20012-9.08%533.50175.80
200130.45%535.90176.20
200146.88%572.76176.90
20015-2.39%559.08177.70
20016-2.66%544.21178.00
20017-2.05%533.08177.50
20018-11.25%473.12177.50
200193.18%488.18178.30
2001105.05%512.85177.70
2001111.47%520.37177.40
200112-0.30%518.82176.70
20021-3.35%501.43177.10
200224.95%526.22177.80
20023-3.51%507.73178.80
20024-2.82%493.41179.80
20025-5.92%464.20179.80
20026-10.76%414.26179.90
200271.14%418.97180.10
20028-4.76%399.04180.70
20029-1.37%393.58181.00
2002106.63%419.66181.30
200211-1.04%415.32181.30
200212-0.22%414.39180.90
20031-6.41%387.81181.70
200321.31%392.88183.10
200335.29%413.65184.20
200345.31%435.62183.80
200355.70%460.47183.50
200360.60%463.22183.70
20037-0.17%462.45183.90
200383.16%477.07184.60
200392.03%486.74185.20
2003101.21%492.63185.00
2003113.06%507.72184.50
2003124.93%532.78184.30
200411.09%538.57185.20
20042-1.57%530.14186.20
200430.97%535.27187.40
20044-2.56%521.55188.00
200452.86%536.45189.10
20046-2.24%524.44189.70
20047-1.39%517.16189.40
200482.78%531.56189.50
200490.10%532.10189.90
2004104.77%557.50190.90
2004112.73%572.71191.00
200412-1.35%564.98190.30
200511.68%574.48190.70
20052-0.26%573.01191.80
20053-2.41%559.21193.30
200541.34%566.68194.60
200552.18%579.04194.40
200561.81%589.50194.50
200570.31%591.33195.40
200580.28%592.98196.40
20059-2.62%577.42198.80
2005103.96%600.30199.20
2005112.14%613.17197.60
2005121.47%622.16196.80
20061-0.02%622.06198.30
200621.49%631.30198.70
200630.80%636.34199.80
20064-0.79%631.34201.50
20065-2.71%614.26202.50
200660.72%618.68202.90
200672.29%632.86203.50
200682.53%648.88203.90
200693.62%672.34202.90
2006102.00%685.80201.80
2006112.15%700.53201.50
2006120.69%705.38201.80
200711.60%716.64202.42
20072-2.47%698.91203.50
200734.18%728.13205.35
200743.39%752.83206.69
200750.34%755.42207.95
200760.57%759.76208.35
20077-4.20%727.84208.30
200783.07%750.22207.92
200792.99%772.67208.49
200710-4.81%735.53208.94
2007111.24%744.64210.18
200712-6.64%695.23210.04
20081-1.56%684.36211.08
20082-2.63%666.38211.69
200834.24%694.66213.53
200842.56%712.46214.82
20085-4.25%682.21216.63
20086-6.08%640.74218.82
200872.11%654.26219.96
20088-4.85%622.55219.09
20089-20.19%496.83218.78
200810-8.61%454.08216.57
200811-0.35%452.48212.43
200812-1.10%447.53210.23
20091-6.70%417.53211.14
20092-5.69%393.78212.19
2009312.32%442.31212.71
200946.66%471.76213.24
200952.87%485.30213.86
200961.28%491.50215.69
200978.12%531.41215.35
200983.65%550.81215.83
200992.40%564.04215.97
2009102.09%575.86216.18
2009112.23%588.67216.33
2009121.36%596.66215.95
20101-2.90%579.37216.69
201025.94%613.80216.74
201034.09%638.89217.63
20104-5.88%601.31218.01
20105-3.54%580.00218.18
20106-0.16%579.08217.97
201070.86%584.08218.01
201083.37%603.77218.31
201094.58%631.41218.44
2010102.49%647.14218.71
2010113.71%671.17218.80
2010123.46%694.41219.18
201113.15%716.29220.22
20112-1.11%708.32221.31
201132.22%724.05223.47
201140.66%728.82224.91
20115-3.66%702.13225.96
201163.10%723.91225.72
20117-10.40%648.62225.92
20118-0.79%643.50226.55
201193.02%662.92226.89
2011101.77%674.64226.42
2011111.55%685.13226.23
2011124.78%717.89225.67
201214.16%747.78226.67
201222.88%769.34227.66
20123-0.04%769.05229.39
20124-3.09%745.28230.09
20125-1.15%736.69229.82
201262.92%758.21229.48
201273.39%783.89229.10
201283.02%807.58230.38
20129-0.22%805.82231.41
201210-2.84%782.96231.32
2012112.18%799.99230.22
2012124.27%834.14229.60
201312.33%853.60230.28
201322.72%876.84232.17
201331.45%889.59232.77
201344.57%930.28232.53
20135-1.12%919.88232.95
201363.25%949.82233.50
201370.25%952.22233.60
201381.19%963.57233.88
201392.12%983.98234.15
2013103.86%1,021.96233.55
2013111.52%1,037.51233.07
2013120.97%1,047.55233.05
20141-0.13%1,046.19233.92
201422.72%1,074.67234.78
201430.20%1,076.83236.29
201441.53%1,093.33237.07
201453.20%1,128.28237.90
201461.50%1,145.16238.34
20147-0.43%1,140.27238.25
201481.78%1,160.54237.85
20149-2.65%1,129.83238.03
2014105.71%1,194.29237.43
2014110.63%1,201.86236.15
201412-1.11%1,188.52234.81
201512.83%1,222.12233.71
201520.06%1,222.80234.72
201530.88%1,233.54236.12
201540.98%1,245.62236.60
20155-0.44%1,240.19237.81
20156-0.08%1,239.20238.64
20157-2.42%1,209.16238.65
20158-4.51%1,154.66238.32
201594.32%1,204.51237.95
2015102.93%1,239.83237.84
201511-1.10%1,226.16237.34
201512-6.42%1,147.44236.53
20161-0.55%1,141.13236.92
201626.36%1,213.74237.11
201632.83%1,248.10238.13
20164-0.30%1,244.31239.26
201651.07%1,257.58240.23
201663.30%1,299.04241.02
201671.20%1,314.62240.63
20168-0.44%1,308.86240.85
20169-0.51%1,302.23241.43
2016101.20%1,317.88241.73
2016113.95%1,369.88241.35
2016121.44%1,389.57241.43
201712.58%1,425.37242.84
201721.75%1,450.31243.60
20173-0.15%1,448.07243.80
201741.69%1,472.58244.52
201751.78%1,498.74244.73
201760.99%1,513.55244.96
201770.25%1,517.30244.79
201781.65%1,542.38245.52
201792.73%1,584.56246.82
2017101.59%1,609.75246.66
2017112.88%1,656.17246.67
2017124.86%1,736.69246.52
20181-2.89%1,686.56247.87
201820.06%1,687.64248.99
20183-1.66%1,659.56249.55
201841.96%1,692.12250.55
201852.11%1,727.87251.59
201861.58%1,755.18251.99
201872.45%1,798.20252.01
201881.68%1,828.41252.15
20189-3.85%1,758.03252.44
201810-2.08%1,721.53252.89
201811-5.56%1,625.77252.04
2018121.74%1,653.99251.23
201915.83%1,750.40251.71
201921.95%1,784.50252.78
201933.72%1,850.94254.20
20194-1.53%1,822.58255.55
201951.40%1,848.19256.09
201963.83%1,918.92256.14
20197-3.13%1,858.78256.57
201983.09%1,916.12256.56
201990.01%1,916.31256.76
2019104.43%2,001.28257.35
2019112.47%2,050.69257.21
2019123.35%2,119.32256.97
202010.12%2,121.90257.97
20202-18.92%1,720.49258.68
202034.32%1,794.79258.12
202045.89%1,900.46256.39
202056.51%2,024.14256.39
202063.48%2,094.51257.80
202075.89%2,217.95259.10
20208-0.63%2,204.04259.92
202091.73%2,242.09260.28
2020103.95%2,330.74260.39
2020114.26%2,430.03260.23
2020122.80%2,497.96260.47
202112.49%2,560.20261.58
202120.82%2,581.23263.01
202136.02%2,736.65264.88
202140.76%2,757.46267.05
202151.81%2,807.38269.20
202163.07%2,893.52271.70
202172.19%2,956.74273.00
20218-0.08%2,954.25273.57
202190.45%2,967.60274.31
2021104.74%3,108.41276.59
2021110.27%3,116.66277.95
202112-2.05%3,052.71278.80
20221-2.90%2,964.10281.15
20222-0.89%2,937.64283.72
202230.12%2,941.12287.50
20224-7.87%2,709.57289.11
20225-3.37%2,618.28292.30
202260.46%2,630.44296.31
202276.45%2,800.04296.28
20228-7.28%2,596.27296.17
20229-3.09%2,516.01296.81
2022105.29%2,648.99298.01
2022110.01%2,649.27297.71
2022121.38%2,685.74296.80
202313.15%2,770.26299.17
20232-2.59%2,698.64300.84
202334.00%2,806.48301.84
202340.74%2,827.18303.36
202354.94%2,966.91304.13
202363.88%3,081.91305.11
20237-1.00%3,051.16305.69
20238-0.95%3,022.06307.03
20239-3.04%2,930.27307.79
2023104.60%3,065.12307.67
2023115.18%3,223.74307.05
2023122.91%3,317.61306.75
202414.20%3,456.93308.42
202423.28%3,570.39310.33
20243-1.01%3,534.36312.33
202442.52%3,623.31313.55
202455.34%3,816.93314.07
Click to show 894 more rows

Remember, returns are based on the average closing price across the entire month. Some losses are offset by dividend returns.

Dollar-cost averaging

Dollar-cost averaging is an alternative to investing the full lump-sum of $1.00 up-front. Instead, the capital is invested over a period of time.

Consider a strategy in which $1.00 was invested in the S&P 500 over a period of no more than 24 months beginning in 1949. This would result in a final amount of $3,269.41, including dividend reinvestments. In this particular case, dollar-cost average returns are less than the returns of a lump-sum investment (which ends with $3,816.93).

YearMonthContribution ($)Amount ($)
194910.040.04
194920.040.08
194930.040.12
194940.040.16
194950.040.19
194960.040.24
194970.040.29
194980.040.34
194990.040.39
1949100.040.44
1949110.040.50
1949120.040.55
195010.040.60
195020.040.65
195030.040.72
195040.040.79
195050.040.84
195060.040.82
195070.040.92
195080.041.00
195090.041.09
1950100.041.13
1950110.041.18
1950120.041.31
195110.041.41
19512-1.39
19513-1.42
19514-1.43
19515-1.41
19516-1.45
19517-1.52
19518-1.57
19519-1.57
195110-1.53
195111-1.59
195112-1.65
19521-1.63
19522-1.64
19523-1.64
19524-1.65
19525-1.70
19526-1.76
19527-1.78
19528-1.76
19529-1.73
195210-1.79
195211-1.87
195212-1.89
19531-1.88
19532-1.89
19533-1.81
19534-1.83
19535-1.77
19536-1.80
19537-1.82
19538-1.75
19539-1.81
195310-1.86
195311-1.89
195312-1.95
19541-2.00
19542-2.05
19543-2.14
19544-2.24
19545-2.26
19546-2.37
19547-2.42
19548-2.49
19549-2.56
195410-2.67
195411-2.80
195412-2.86
19551-2.97
19552-2.95
19553-3.06
19554-3.06
19555-3.25
19556-3.50
19557-3.49
19558-3.66
19559-3.48
195510-3.73
195511-3.78
195512-3.69
19561-3.72
19562-3.99
19563-4.05
19564-3.93
19565-3.92
19566-4.15
19567-4.14
19568-4.01
19569-3.97
195610-3.94
195611-4.01
195612-3.94
19571-3.78
19572-3.84
19573-3.94
19574-4.11
19575-4.19
19576-4.29
19577-4.06
19578-3.91
19579-3.68
195710-3.61
195711-3.63
195712-3.71
19581-3.74
19582-3.83
19583-3.86
19584-4.00
19585-4.11
19586-4.23
19587-4.41
19588-4.53
19589-4.73
195810-4.89
195811-5.00
195812-5.21
19591-5.14
19592-5.29
19593-5.39
19594-5.48
19595-5.45
19596-5.68
19597-5.66
19598-5.45
19599-5.46
195910-5.50
195911-5.69
195912-5.61
19601-5.40
19602-5.34
19603-5.43
19604-5.40
19605-5.61
19606-5.49
19607-5.57
19608-5.42
19609-5.33
196010-5.52
196011-5.66
196012-5.97
19611-6.23
19612-6.44
19613-6.63
19614-6.72
19615-6.64
19616-6.64
19617-6.90
19618-6.86
19619-6.95
196110-7.28
196111-7.37
196112-7.11
19621-7.25
19622-7.27
19623-7.06
19624-6.55
19625-5.80
19626-5.96
19627-6.14
19628-6.10
19629-5.93
196210-6.36
196211-6.65
196212-6.93
19631-7.04
19632-7.03
19633-7.38
19634-7.55
19635-7.56
19636-7.47
19637-7.70
19638-7.92
19639-7.96
196310-7.94
196311-8.13
196312-8.40
19641-8.52
19642-8.70
19643-8.84
19644-8.95
19645-8.92
19646-9.27
19647-9.16
19648-9.34
19649-9.52
196410-9.61
196411-9.47
196412-9.74
19651-9.83
19652-9.87
19653-10.02
19654-10.19
19655-9.73
19656-9.74
19657-9.95
19658-10.31
19659-10.56
196510-10.68
196511-10.66
196512-10.87
19661-10.82
19662-10.40
19663-10.75
19664-10.21
19665-10.15
19666-10.15
19667-9.57
19668-9.26
19669-9.21
196610-9.70
196611-9.77
196612-10.17
19671-10.55
19672-10.83
19673-11.04
19674-11.27
19675-11.16
19676-11.38
19677-11.59
19678-11.78
19679-11.79
196710-11.45
196711-11.81
196712-11.81
19681-11.31
19682-11.13
19683-11.98
19684-12.29
19685-12.65
19686-12.66
19687-12.41
19688-12.85
19689-13.20
196810-13.43
196811-13.60
196812-13.06
19691-13.03
19692-12.78
19693-13.07
19694-13.53
19695-12.86
19696-12.32
19697-12.28
19698-12.36
19699-12.53
196910-12.65
196911-12.02
196912-11.95
19701-11.56
19702-11.80
19703-11.47
19704-10.19
19705-10.16
19706-10.21
19707-10.55
19708-11.21
19709-11.49
197010-11.51
197011-12.34
197012-12.85
19711-13.38
19712-13.76
19713-14.26
19714-14.11
19715-13.88
19716-13.82
19717-13.61
19718-13.95
19719-13.69
197110-13.09
197111-14.02
197112-14.64
19721-14.95
19722-15.34
19723-15.54
19724-15.41
19725-15.49
19726-15.42
19727-16.00
19728-15.81
19729-15.87
197210-16.71
197211-17.09
197212-17.26
19731-16.69
19732-16.46
19733-16.19
19734-15.78
19735-15.46
19736-15.65
19737-15.39
19738-15.70
19739-16.37
197310-15.25
197311-14.21
197312-14.45
19741-14.09
19742-14.74
19743-14.03
19744-13.65
19745-13.71
19746-12.15
19747-11.70
19748-10.53
19749-10.78
197410-11.18
197411-10.50
197412-11.40
19751-12.64
19752-13.27
19753-13.46
19754-14.37
19755-14.78
19756-14.85
19757-13.81
19758-13.69
19759-14.37
197510-14.66
197511-14.49
197512-15.87
19761-16.54
19762-16.67
19763-16.85
19764-16.79
19765-16.94
19766-17.39
19767-17.29
19768-17.71
19769-17.16
197610-17.10
197611-17.75
197612-17.65
19771-17.24
19772-17.23
19773-17.02
19774-17.03
19775-17.18
19776-17.40
19777-17.04
19778-16.84
19779-16.47
197710-16.63
197711-16.62
197712-16.06
19781-15.90
19782-15.94
19783-16.71
19784-17.63
19785-17.75
19786-17.74
19787-19.04
19788-19.12
19789-18.59
197810-17.58
197811-17.91
197812-18.66
19791-18.47
19792-18.90
19793-19.36
19794-18.99
19795-19.45
19796-19.73
19797-20.72
19798-21.04
19799-20.33
197910-20.27
197911-21.16
197912-21.86
19801-22.82
19802-20.82
19803-20.57
19804-21.61
19805-23.09
19806-24.24
19807-25.09
19808-25.80
19809-26.66
198010-27.89
198011-27.54
198012-27.55
19811-26.70
19812-27.81
19813-28.17
19814-27.71
19815-27.95
19816-27.39
19817-27.60
19818-25.31
19819-25.75
198110-26.53
198111-26.85
198112-25.56
19821-25.07
19822-24.38
19823-25.71
19824-25.86
19825-24.50
19826-24.56
19827-24.75
19828-27.75
19829-30.21
198210-31.57
198211-32.00
198212-33.25
19831-33.96
19832-35.27
19833-36.76
19834-38.38
19835-39.05
19836-39.33
19837-38.38
19838-39.66
19839-39.91
198310-39.46
198311-39.41
198312-40.03
19841-37.98
19842-38.15
19843-38.34
19844-38.25
19845-37.54
19846-37.20
19847-40.62
19848-41.19
19849-41.02
198410-41.55
198411-41.26
198412-43.20
19851-45.70
19852-45.48
19853-45.94
19854-47.20
19855-48.39
19856-49.47
19857-48.56
19858-47.64
19859-48.36
198510-51.46
198511-54.19
198512-54.59
19861-57.70
19862-61.27
19863-62.95
19864-63.26
19865-65.24
19866-64.07
19867-65.53
19868-63.92
19869-63.86
198610-66.12
198611-67.25
198612-71.73
19871-76.37
19872-79.71
19873-79.03
19874-79.17
19875-82.73
19876-85.31
19877-90.82
19878-88.06
19879-77.62
198710-68.07
198711-67.17
198712-70.02
19881-72.35
19882-74.69
19883-74.03
19884-72.41
19885-76.75
19886-76.51
19887-75.20
19888-76.65
19889-79.56
198810-77.95
198811-79.77
198812-82.57
19891-85.29
19892-85.16
19893-88.19
19894-91.82
19895-94.94
19896-97.59
19897-102.17
19898-102.64
19899-102.93
198910-101.06
198911-103.83
198912-101.53
19901-98.97
19902-101.65
19903-101.85
19904-105.77
19905-109.12
19906-109.31
19907-100.71
19908-96.34
19909-94.11
199010-96.92
199011-101.36
199012-100.67
19911-112.35
19912-115.78
19913-118.39
19914-118.18
19915-118.59
19916-119.51
19917-122.72
19918-122.34
19919-122.57
199110-122.59
199111-123.73
199112-132.84
19921-132.04
19922-130.70
19923-131.05
19924-133.76
19925-131.98
19926-134.50
19927-135.77
19928-136.28
19929-134.67
199210-138.38
199211-142.91
199212-143.12
19931-145.58
19932-148.71
19933-146.72
19934-147.78
19935-149.06
19936-149.15
19937-151.78
19938-153.84
19939-155.75
199310-155.76
199311-157.14
199312-159.87
19941-159.75
19942-157.47
19943-152.20
19944-153.81
19945-155.52
19946-154.71
19947-159.48
19948-160.78
19949-160.07
199410-159.48
199411-157.84
199412-161.71
19951-167.89
19952-172.18
19953-177.72
19954-183.67
19955-189.51
19956-196.23
19957-197.23
19958-204.57
19959-206.43
199510-211.30
199511-218.46
199512-218.82
19961-231.74
19962-231.27
19963-231.73
19964-237.19
19965-240.22
19966-231.87
19967-239.00
19968-243.84
19969-253.88
199610-266.71
199611-269.90
199612-278.70
19971-290.85
19972-289.04
19973-279.19
19974-304.93
19975-321.20
19976-339.63
19977-340.81
19978-344.87
19979-350.54
199710-346.51
199711-355.64
199712-356.48
19981-379.30
19982-399.45
19983-413.06
19984-412.14
19985-412.62
19986-431.05
19987-401.01
19988-381.36
19989-386.29
199810-428.68
199811-446.27
199812-468.80
19991-468.49
19992-482.18
19993-502.67
19994-502.18
19995-499.11
19996-521.68
19997-501.99
19998-498.98
19999-492.64
199910-527.64
199911-542.46
199912-541.82
20001-528.39
20002-549.21
20003-557.04
20004-541.22
20005-558.35
20006-563.09
20007-568.39
20008-562.25
20009-532.93
200010-528.81
200011-511.26
200012-513.58
20011-502.61
20012-456.98
20013-459.03
20014-490.60
20015-478.89
20016-466.15
20017-456.61
20018-405.25
20019-418.16
200110-439.29
200111-445.73
200112-444.40
20021-429.50
20022-450.74
20023-434.90
20024-422.63
20025-397.61
20026-354.83
20027-358.87
20028-341.80
20029-337.13
200210-359.46
200211-355.74
200212-354.95
20031-332.18
20032-336.53
20033-354.31
20034-373.14
20035-394.42
20036-396.77
20037-396.11
20038-408.63
20039-416.92
200310-421.97
200311-434.89
200312-456.36
20041-461.32
20042-454.09
20043-458.49
20044-446.73
20045-459.50
20046-449.21
20047-442.98
20048-455.31
20049-455.77
200410-477.53
200411-490.56
200412-483.94
20051-492.07
20052-490.82
20053-478.99
20054-485.39
20055-495.98
20056-504.94
20057-506.51
20058-507.92
20059-494.60
200510-514.19
200511-525.21
200512-532.92
20061-532.83
20062-540.75
20063-545.06
20064-540.78
20065-526.14
20066-529.93
20067-542.08
20068-555.80
20069-575.90
200610-587.42
200611-600.04
200612-604.20
20071-613.84
20072-598.66
20073-623.68
20074-644.84
20075-647.06
20076-650.78
20077-623.44
20078-642.61
20079-661.83
200710-630.02
200711-637.82
200712-595.50
20081-586.19
20082-570.79
20083-595.02
20084-610.26
20085-584.35
20086-548.83
20087-560.41
20088-533.25
20089-425.56
200810-388.94
200811-387.58
200812-383.33
20091-357.64
20092-337.30
20093-378.86
20094-404.09
20095-415.68
20096-420.99
20097-455.18
20098-471.80
20099-483.14
200910-493.25
200911-504.23
200912-511.07
20101-496.26
20102-525.75
20103-547.25
20104-515.06
20105-496.80
20106-496.01
20107-500.30
20108-517.16
20109-540.84
201010-554.31
201011-574.89
201012-594.80
20111-613.54
20112-606.71
20113-620.19
20114-624.28
20115-601.41
20116-620.07
20117-555.58
20118-551.19
20119-567.83
201110-577.86
201111-586.85
201112-614.92
20121-640.51
20122-658.98
20123-658.73
20124-638.37
20125-631.01
20126-649.45
20127-671.45
20128-691.73
20129-690.23
201210-670.65
201211-685.24
201212-714.49
20131-731.16
20132-751.06
20133-761.98
20134-796.84
20135-787.93
20136-813.57
20137-815.63
20138-825.35
20139-842.83
201310-875.36
201311-888.68
201312-897.28
20141-896.12
20142-920.51
20143-922.37
20144-936.50
20145-966.43
20146-980.89
20147-976.70
20148-994.07
20149-967.76
201410-1,022.98
201411-1,029.46
201412-1,018.03
20151-1,046.82
20152-1,047.40
20153-1,056.60
20154-1,066.94
20155-1,062.29
20156-1,061.45
20157-1,035.71
20158-989.03
20159-1,031.73
201510-1,061.99
201511-1,050.27
201512-982.85
20161-977.44
20162-1,039.64
20163-1,069.07
20164-1,065.82
20165-1,077.18
20166-1,112.70
20167-1,126.05
20168-1,121.11
20169-1,115.44
201610-1,128.83
201611-1,173.38
201612-1,190.25
20171-1,220.91
20172-1,242.27
20173-1,240.36
20174-1,261.35
20175-1,283.75
20176-1,296.44
20177-1,299.65
20178-1,321.13
20179-1,357.27
201710-1,378.84
201711-1,418.60
201712-1,487.57
20181-1,444.63
20182-1,445.56
20183-1,421.51
20184-1,449.39
20185-1,480.02
20186-1,503.41
20187-1,540.26
20188-1,566.13
20189-1,505.85
201810-1,474.59
201811-1,392.56
201812-1,416.73
20191-1,499.31
20192-1,528.52
20193-1,585.43
20194-1,561.14
20195-1,583.07
20196-1,643.66
20197-1,592.15
20198-1,641.27
20199-1,641.43
201910-1,714.20
201911-1,756.53
201912-1,815.31
20201-1,817.53
20202-1,473.69
20203-1,537.34
20204-1,627.85
20205-1,733.79
20206-1,794.06
20207-1,899.80
20208-1,887.89
20209-1,920.47
202010-1,996.41
202011-2,081.46
202012-2,139.64
20211-2,192.95
20212-2,210.96
20213-2,344.09
20214-2,361.92
20215-2,404.68
20216-2,478.46
20217-2,532.61
20218-2,530.47
20219-2,541.92
202110-2,662.52
202111-2,669.59
202112-2,614.81
20221-2,538.92
20222-2,516.25
20223-2,519.23
20224-2,320.90
20225-2,242.70
20226-2,253.12
20227-2,398.39
20228-2,223.85
20229-2,155.10
202210-2,269.00
202211-2,269.25
202212-2,300.48
20231-2,372.88
20232-2,311.53
20233-2,403.90
20234-2,421.64
20235-2,541.32
20236-2,639.82
20237-2,613.49
20238-2,588.56
20239-2,509.94
202310-2,625.44
202311-2,761.32
202312-2,841.72
20241-2,961.05
20242-3,058.24
20243-3,027.38
20244-3,103.57
20245-3,269.41
Click to show 894 more rows

Data Sources

The information on this page is derived from Robert Shiller's book, Irrational Exuberance and the accompanying dataset, as well as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' monthly CPI logs.

Note that S&P index value for the current quarter is based on a moving average of closing prices, per Robert Shiller's methodology. The inflation data used is based on annual CPI averages.


Ian Webster

About the author

Ian Webster is an engineer and data expert based in San Mateo, California. He has worked for Google, NASA, and consulted for governments around the world on data pipelines and data analysis. Disappointed by the lack of clear resources on the impacts of inflation on economic indicators, Ian believes this website serves as a valuable public tool. Ian earned his degree in Computer Science from Dartmouth College.

Email · LinkedIn · Twitter


S&P 500 from 1949 to 2024
Start Value
Average monthly close
$15.36
End Value
Average monthly close
$5,509.01
Change in price+35,765.95%
+8.16% / yr
Change incl. dividends+381,592.71%
+11.56% / yr
Change incl. dividends, inflation-adjusted+28,678.34%
+7.80% / yr
Final amount, nominal
($1 base)
$3,816.93
Final amount, inflation-adjusted
($1 base)
$287.78