$1,000 in 1979 is worth how much today?
$4,642.65 in Sep 2026 dollars
$1,000 in 1979 had the same purchasing power as $4,642.65 in Sep 2026. Prices are 4.64× higher, so a dollar from 1979 buys what about $4.64 buys today. Put the other way, $1,000 held as cash since 1979 has lost about 78% of its buying power. Inflation in 1979 was 11.3%. 1979 is remembered for the second oil shock. Over the following decade, prices rose 63%.
What $1,000 bought in 1979 vs. today
Using BLS average retail prices, the same $1,000 buys these quantities:
| Item | 1979 | Sep 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| gallons of gas | 1,107 (at $0.90) | 223 (at $4.48) |
To earn the same today
Someone earning $1,000 a month in 1979 would need about $4,642.65 a month in Sep 2026 to keep the same standard of living, based on CPI-U.
Other amounts: $100 · $10,000 · full 1979 inflation table
Nearby years: 1969 · 1970 · 1973 · 1974 · 1975 · 1980 · 1982 · 1985