$10,000 invested in the S&P 500 in 2011

$10,000 put into an S&P 500 index fund in January 2011 would be worth about $78,516 by Sep 2026, with dividends reinvested. That is 14.1% a year.

Real monthly S&P 500 data, updated monthly. How we calculate
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The one-time amount, or the amount each month.

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End

$10,000 put into the S&P 500 in Jan 2011 is now worth

$78,886

S&P 500 came out on top, 2.4× the runner-up, Gold at $32,434. Bonds finished last at $13,434. Just keeping up with prices needed $15,211, and 2 of 3 did better. It ends in Aug 2026, the latest month with data for Bonds.

$10,000You put in
14.2%Best per year (S&P 500)
$15,211To match inflation
−39%Deepest drop (Gold)
$0$20k$40k$60k$80kJan 2011Jan 2013Jan 2015Jan 2017Jan 2019Jan 2021Jan 2023Jan 2025Aug 2026
S&P 500GoldBondsKeeping up with inflation
S&P 50014.2%/yr · $79k
Gold7.8%/yr · $32k
Bonds1.9%/yr · $13k
Full results by asset
AssetWorth nowPer yearTotal returnWorst drop
S&P 500$78,88614.2%689%−19% (Oct 2022)
Gold$32,4347.8%224%−39% (Dec 2015)
Bonds$13,4341.9%34%−25% (Oct 2023)

What each line measures: S&P 500, S&P 500 monthly average level with dividends reinvested (an index fund, before its small fee); Gold, gold monthly average price in US dollars per ounce; 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

$78,516Worth in Sep 2026
14.1%Yearly return
11.0%/yrAfter inflation
−19%Worst drop on the way

Over 16 years the money doubled about 3.0 times. Without reinvesting dividends it would be $59,795: dividends account for 24% of the final value.

Inflation matters over this long. $10,000 in 2011 had the buying power of about $15,211 today, so the real gain is $78,516 against $15,211: still 5.2× the buying power, or 11.0% a year above inflation.

It was not a smooth ride. The value fell 19% from a high around Oct 2022, during the 2022 inflation sell-off. Holding through it was the price of the final number.

The same $10,000 in other assets from January 2011: 10-year Treasury bonds: $13,434; gold: $31,757. Compare more assets.

Value over time
AfterYearWorth
5 years2016$16,542
10 years2021$36,028
NowSep 2026$78,516

Value over time, with dividends reinvested. No fees or taxes.

Try other amounts and years

Common questions

How much would $10,000 invested in the S&P 500 in 2011 be worth today?

About $78,516 as of Sep 2026, with dividends reinvested and no fees or taxes. Without dividends, about $59,795.

What was the average yearly return since 2011?

14.1% a year before inflation and 11.0% after inflation.

How much is $10,000 from 2011 in today's money?

About $15,211, based on US consumer prices (CPI). See inflation since 2011.

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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