$1,000 invested in the S&P 500 in 2023
$1,000 put into an S&P 500 index fund in January 2023 would be worth about $2,027 by Sep 2026, with dividends reinvested. That is 21.2% a year.
Real monthly S&P 500 data, updated monthly. How we calculate$1,000 put into gold in Jan 2023 is now worth
Gold came out on top, ahead of the runner-up, S&P 500 at $2,036. Bonds finished last at $1,057. Just keeping up with prices needed $1,120, and 2 of 3 did better. It ends in Aug 2026, the latest month with data for Bonds.
Full results by asset
| Asset | Worth now | Per year | Total return | Worst drop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | $2,324 | 26.5% | 132% | −19% (Jul 2026) |
| S&P 500 | $2,036 | 21.9% | 104% | −11% (Apr 2025) |
| Bonds | $1,057 | 1.5% | 6% | −9% (Oct 2023) |
What each line measures: Gold, gold monthly average price in US dollars per ounce; S&P 500, S&P 500 monthly average level with dividends reinvested (an index fund, before its small fee); Bonds, total return of 10-year US Treasury bonds (interest plus price changes), modelled from the monthly 10-year yield. Inflation uses the US Consumer Price Index. Monthly averages, data through Aug 2026; no fees or taxes. Past returns do not predict future returns.
The result
Over 4 years the money doubled about 1.0 times. Without reinvesting dividends it would be $1,936: dividends account for 4% of the final value.
Inflation matters over this long. $1,000 in 2023 had the buying power of about $1,120 today, so the real gain is $2,027 against $1,120: still 1.8× the buying power, or 17.6% a year above inflation.
It was not a smooth ride. The value fell 11% from a high around Apr 2025, during the 2025 tariff sell-off. Holding through it was the price of the final number.
The same $1,000 in other assets from January 2023: 10-year Treasury bonds: $1,057; gold: $2,276. Compare more assets.
| After | Year | Worth |
|---|---|---|
| Now | Sep 2026 | $2,027 |
Value over time, with dividends reinvested. No fees or taxes.
Try other amounts and years
Common questions
How much would $1,000 invested in the S&P 500 in 2023 be worth today?
About $2,027 as of Sep 2026, with dividends reinvested and no fees or taxes. Without dividends, about $1,936.
What was the average yearly return since 2023?
21.2% a year before inflation and 17.6% after inflation.
How much is $1,000 from 2023 in today's money?
About $1,120, based on US consumer prices (CPI). See inflation since 2023.
Is a lump sum better than investing monthly?
Historically a lump sum came out ahead about two-thirds of the time, because markets rise more often than they fall. Spreading it out reduces regret if a crash comes right after. Test both with the lump sum vs DCA calculator.
Based on the S&P 500 monthly average level with dividends reinvested (an index fund before its small fee). Educational estimates, not investment advice. Past returns do not predict future returns.
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