$100 in 1982 is worth how much today?
$349.16 in Sep 2026 dollars
$100 in 1982 had the same purchasing power as $349.16 in Sep 2026. Prices are 3.49× higher, so a dollar from 1982 buys what about $3.49 buys today. Put the other way, $100 held as cash since 1982 has lost about 71% of its buying power. Inflation in 1982 was 6.1%. 1982 is remembered for the end of the early-1980s recession. Over the following decade, prices rose 41%.
What $100 bought in 1982 vs. today
Using BLS average retail prices, the same $100 buys these quantities:
| Item | 1982 | Sep 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| dozen eggs | 115 (at $0.87) | 44 (at $2.27) |
| gallons of gas | 77 (at $1.30) | 22 (at $4.48) |
| pounds of white bread | 188 (at $0.53) | 55 (at $1.83) |
| pounds of coffee | 40 (at $2.52) | 11 (at $9.33) |
To earn the same today
Someone earning $100 a month in 1982 would need about $349.16 a month in Sep 2026 to keep the same standard of living, based on CPI-U.
Other amounts: $1,000 · $10,000 · full 1982 inflation table
Nearby years: 1973 · 1974 · 1975 · 1979 · 1980 · 1985 · 1990