1950s Prices

The United States experienced a period of relative stability in terms of prices and the cost of living in the 50s. This was a time when many American families were enjoying the post-World War II economic boom.

If you’re wondering how much did things cost in the 1950s, I listed below the cost of different items during that era, including milk, bread, cars, and homes. This will help give you a better picture of the cost of living in 50s.

Housing affordability in the late 1950s was notably different from today. A two-bedroom home was available for under $7,500, which is considerably less than current real estate prices. This affordability had a significant impact on families in the 50s and their ability to become home owners during that period.

The impact of inflation becomes apparent when we compare the value of a dollar. For instance, $1 in 1950 is equivalent to about $12.68 today, illustrating the decline in purchasing power over time.

Additionally, the prices of cultural and historical items from that era, such as vinyl records and classic toys, provide insights into the consumer preferences and popular culture of the time.

I hope you find this a valuable historical perspective on economic conditions, housing affordability, and the impact of inflation in the United States, shedding light on how economic circumstances have evolved over the decades.

Prices in 1950

$1 in 1950 is worth $12.68 today if you factor in inflation.

• House: $7,150
• Average income: $3,216
• Ford car: $1339-$2262
• Philco model 1403 TV: $199
• Admiral “home entertainment” TV system: $549.50
• 12″ records: $4.85
• 10″ records: $2.85
• Milk: $.82
• Gas: $.20
• Bread $.14
• Postage stamp: $.03
• Pumpkins : $.02 cents a lb
• Campbell’s Pork & Beans – (2) 1 lb. cans: $.25
• Sirloin steak: $.77 lb
• Kraft Mayonnaise – quart jar: $.62.

Prices in 1951

$1 in 1951 is worth $11.76 today if you factor in inflation.

• House: $7,300
• Average income: $3,515
• Ford car: $1424-$2253
• 8.3 cu. ft. General Electric refrigerator: $330
• Milk: $.92
• Gas: $.20
• Bread $.16
• Postage stamp: $.03
• 1 lb. of buttered peanut brittle: $.25
• 14 oz. can of Hershey’s Syrup: $.17
• Sliced Bacon: $.63 per lb
• Coca Cola, 6 bottles: $.37
• Canada Dry Ginger Ale, (2) 28 oz btls: $.39
• Post Sugar Crisp, 6 oz pkg: $.15
• Jerry Mahoney Ventriloquist dummy: $14.95

Prices in 1952

$1 in 1952 is worth $11.54 today if you factor in inflation.

• House: $7,750
• Average income: $3,515
• Ford car: $1,526-$2,384
• Milk: $.96
• Gas: $.20
• Bread $.16
• Postage stamp: $.03
• Hen Turkeys: $ .53 lb
• Pkg of 6 Bran muffins $.21
• 1 lb pkg of M&M’s candies: $.59
• Gillette Blue Blades, pkg of 10: $ .49
• Ladies Corduroy Jackets: $4.99
• Cotton knit blouses: $1.98
• Men’s Rayon Sport Shirts: $3.66
• Men’s cotton flannel shirt: $1.79
• Red “Radio Flyer” wagon: $8.75
• Westinghouse Open-Handle steam iron: $19.95
• Men’s T-shirts and briefs – – –
• T-shirts, 2 for $.59
• Briefs, each $.59

Prices in 1953

$1 in 1953 is worth $11.45 today if you factor in inflation.

• House: $8,200
• Average income: $4,011
• Ford car: $1537-$2403
• Milk: $.94
• Gas: $.22
• Bread $.16
• Postage stamp: $.03
• 10- lb bag C&H sugar: $ .89
• 12 oz. jar of Libby’s pickles $.25
• 16 oz. jar Kraft Cheese Whiz : $.57
• Romaine Lettuce: $ .10 lb

Prices in 1954

$1 in 1954 is worth $11.36 today if you factor in inflation.

• House: $8,650
• Average income: $3,960
• Ford car: $1548-$2415
• Milk: $.92
• Gas: $.21
• Bread $.17
• Postage stamp: $.03
• Swiss Cheese: $ .69 lb.
• American Cheese: $.55 lb.
• T-Bone steak : $.95 lb.
• Del Monte Catsup (2) 14.oz bottles: $.25
• Post Grape Nuts cereal – 10 .oz pkg: $.19
• Clorox Bleach – 1/2 gal: $.19
• 20 gallon gas water heater $75.
• Semi-automatic Kenmore washer: $154.95

Prices in 1955

$1 in 1955 is worth $11.41 today if you factor in inflation.

Prices in 1956

$1 in 1956 is worth $11.24 today if you factor in inflation.

• House: $9,550
• Average income: $4,454
• Ford car: $1748-$3151
• Milk: $.97
• Gas: $.23
• Bread $.18
• Postage stamp: $.03
• Chuck Pot Roast: $ .33 lb.
• Spareribs: $.39 lb.
• Cabbage: $.04 lb.
• Eggs, doz.: $.45
• Coffee: $.69 lb.
• Carnation Instant Chocolate Drink, 10oz.: $.33
• Rheingold Beer, 6, 12 .oz cans: $1.20

Prices in 1957

$1 in 1957 is worth $10.88 today if you factor in inflation.

• House: $10,000
• Average income: $4,494
• Ford car: $1879-$3408
• Milk: $1.00
• Gas: $.24
• Bread $.19
• Postage stamp: $.03
• Can of Libby’s peaches, 17 oz.: $ .25
• Swanson TV dinner: $.75
• Vermont Maid Syrup, 12 oz bottle: $.33

Prices in 1958

$1 in 1958 is worth $10.58 today if you factor in inflation.

• House: $10,450
• Average income: $4,650
• Ford car: $1967-$3929
• Milk: $1.01
• Gas: $.24
• Bread $.19
• Postage stamp: $.04
• Chef Boy-Ar-Dee spaghetti, 15 1/2 .oz can.: $ .19
• Corned Beef: $.59 lb.
• Swiss Steak: $.75 lb.
• Libby Tomato Juice, 5 (46 .oz) cans: $1.00
• Kraft Carmels, 1 lb pkg: $.37
• Milk: $.42 half gal.
• Uncle Ben’s Rice, 14 oz box – $.19
• Sunkist Oranges, 5 lbs.: $.49
• Cantaloupe: $.05 lb.
• Celery: $.04 lb.
• Tuition at Harvard: $1,250 yr.
• Nathan’s Hot Dog: $.25
• Roundtrip airfare London to New York: $453

Prices in 1959