Here’s What 15 Things Cost 100 Years Ago

Our roaring ’20s have officially begun, and although it didn’t start off smoothly, it can only get better, right?Things are certainly different now than 100 years ago.Back then, radio was our main source of entertainment, and “stream” was only a term used to describe a small river.However, the cost of goods has changed significantly since then.Even a new car, or a beautiful two-story house in the suburbs, cost a lot back then.Compared to today’s prices, they seem like a bargain.You may even want to travel back in time.

Keep in mind that everything is relative. Stats mainly come from the U.S. and are in U.S. dollars. Keep in mind that the average household income in the United States in 1920 was $3,269.40-that’s about $49,341.13 today with inflation.

Apartment in NYC

An apartment in New York City cost $60 per month in 1920. By 2023, that’s $905.51 – still less than renting a single room today.

House

A new house today would cost about $95,017.97 if the white picket fence had been your dream.

Grocery Items

You’d be surprised how much certain items at the grocery store would have cost in 1920. For example, a dozen eggs cost 47 cents ($7.09 today), a pound of round steak cost 40 cents ($6.04 today), and three pounds of macaroni cost 25 cents ($3.77 today). Over the past few years, eggs have skyrocketed in price at the grocery store because of inflation and avian flu outbreaks.

Manicure

High-gloss car paint was often used to paint ladies’ nails in the 1920s. At the time, a manicure cost less than 25 cents. I wish manicures were that expensive.

Haircut

Ladies! Listen up. Bobs were the most trendy 1920s hairstyle. The initial cut was $5.00 ($75.46 today), and weekly maintenance was $2.00 ($30.18 today).

Wedding

It’s ridiculously expensive to walk down the aisle. The average American spends $30,000 on the wedding. Weddings cost about $400 in 1920 ($6,036 today).

New Radio

Most Americans considered the latest entertainment medium at the time to be a major investment. New radios cost over $200 in the 1920s (over $3,000 today)! Prices fell by the end of the decade to $35 ($528.21 today).

Movie Ticket

The cost of a movie ticket was 15 cents, or $2.26 today. That’s a far cry from the national average of a movie ticket in the 21st century.

Vinyl Records

Unless you had a radio in 1920 (not many people did), listening to vinyl records was your main source of entertainment at home. A cool vinyl record costs anywhere from 85 cents ($12.83) to $1.25 ($18.86).

Washing Machine

Laundry doesn’t just do itself. But a washing machine would have cost $81.50. By today’s standards, that’s about $1,229, so it’s not that far off.

Electric Vacuum Cleaner

Hoover Electric Cleaners are among the newest and hottest vacuums on the market, costing around $39 today.

Diner Food

A meal for two at a diner today costs about $20-$30, but in 1920, the same meal cost about 70 cents ($18.23).

New Car

A Chevrolet in the 1920s cost $525, which is just under $8,000 today. What if you could buy a new car for that price in 2023?

Gasoline

In 1920, a litre of gas cost about 8 cents. The price would now be approximately .97 cents per litre. Talk about a steep rate 100 years ago!

Half-Gallon of Milk (2 liters)

The average price for 2 litres of milk cost 33 cents back in the day. Today that’d be about $4.98, what’s the current price in 2023? Average $4?

MSN.com