How much was $400 US worth in the late 19th century (1860-1900)?

I was just watching 3:10 To Yuma and the numbers they were throwing around for money was making me curious how much it would be worth today.

Christian Bale's character was trying to get $200-400 to try and support his ranch, and Russel Crowe's character robbed $400,000 total over his career as an outlaw. I had a website I knew of that had a calculator that would compare currency worth from years ago to today, but I don't even think the calculator dated back that far. I think the farthest it would go was 1930 or something.

What would $200 American in the late 19th be today? $15,000? Less? Maybe $5,000. They were talking like $400 back then was a fortune. If that's so, then what the hell would $400,000 back then be today? Isn't that an ungodly amount for one man to steal back then in today's numbers?

well, on average, inflation doubles every 10 years... think of a 1965 mustang was worth roughly $2500cdn

1965 2500
1975 5000
1985 10,000
1995 20,000
2005 40,000

so its fairly close, I would say multiply by 1.75 to be more accurate

Aha, found another website:

http://www.westegg.com/inflation/

Quote:

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What cost $400 in 1875 would cost $7722.99 in 2009.
Also, if you were to buy exactly the same products in 2009 and 1875,
they would cost you $400 and $21.25 respectively.

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and

Quote:

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What cost $400,000 in 1875 would cost $7,722,988.71 in 2009.

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400 grand back then is worth over 7 and a half million today. That's pretty crazy...

Think how inexpensive antibiotic's are now . Think the value of some in 1875 ?

I don't think it was possible to even get a hold of. Penicillin was only written about in 1875 by John Tyndall. Shortly afterwards I would imagine it was state of the art in treating infections caused by bacteria, and would probably cost a ridiculous amount of money back then.