Prices are now 24.5x higher than in 1935
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, something that cost $100 in 1935 costs about $2,445.11 today. The inflation rate in 1935 was 2.2%, and total inflation from 1935 to August 2026 was 2,345%.
The S&P 500 index started 1935 at 9.26. With dividends reinvested, $100 invested in the S&P 500 in 1935 would have grown to about $1,877,788.25 by 2026, before adjusting for inflation.
Some costs rose much faster than others. Compared with overall inflation, meat rose the most since 1935 (23% more than inflation), and clothing rose the least (73% less).
| All prices, on average | $2,445.11 |
| Food | $2,795.69 |
| Eggs | $747.10 |
| Meat | $3,003.01 |
| Sugar and sweets | $2,869.44 |
| Rent | $2,083.63 |
| Electricity | $960.22 |
| Clothing | $654.47 |
Cost of living in 1935 by category
The Bureau of Labor Statistics began publishing average prices for individual items in 1980. For 1935, these comparisons use the consumer price index for each spending category: each row shows what something that cost $100 in 1935 costs in August 2026, and how that compares with overall inflation of 2,345%.
Food & drink
| Category | $100 in 1935 today | Compared with inflation |
|---|---|---|
| Food | $100 in 1935 today$2,795.69 | Compared with inflation14% more than inflation |
| Eggs | $100 in 1935 today$747.10 | Compared with inflation69% less than inflation |
| Meat | $100 in 1935 today$3,003.01 | Compared with inflation23% more than inflation |
| Sugar and sweets | $100 in 1935 today$2,869.44 | Compared with inflation17% more than inflation |
Housing & energy
| Category | $100 in 1935 today | Compared with inflation |
|---|---|---|
| Rent | $100 in 1935 today$2,083.63 | Compared with inflation15% less than inflation |
| Electricity | $100 in 1935 today$960.22 | Compared with inflation61% less than inflation |
Other costs
| Category | $100 in 1935 today | Compared with inflation |
|---|---|---|
| Clothing | $100 in 1935 today$654.47 | Compared with inflation73% less than inflation |
Frequently asked questions
How much is $1 from 1935 worth today?
$1 in 1935 has about the same buying power as $24.45 today, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics consumer price index.
What was the inflation rate in 1935?
The U.S. inflation rate in 1935 was 2.2%, measured as the change in the consumer price index from 1934 to 1935.
Which costs rose the most since 1935?
Of the spending categories tracked since 1935, meat rose the most relative to overall inflation: something that cost $100 in 1935 costs about $3003.01 today. Clothing rose the least, to about $654.47.
Where these numbers come from
Category comparisons use the Bureau of Labor Statistics consumer price index for each category, from the 1935 annual average to August 2026. Overall inflation uses the same consumer price index as our 1935 inflation calculator. S&P 500 values are from Robert Shiller's historical stock market data.
Prices in other years
- 1914
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| All prices, on average | $2,445.11 |
| Food | $2,795.69 |
| Eggs | $747.10 |
| Meat | $3,003.01 |
| Sugar and sweets | $2,869.44 |
| Rent | $2,083.63 |
| Electricity | $960.22 |
| Clothing | $654.47 |