20 Prices from the Past That Will Make Your Jaw Drop Today
These jaw-dropping old prices will leave you wondering how anyone ever paid so little.
- Daisy Montero
- 4 min read
It is wild to think about how cheap things used to be compared to today. This list looks at 20 everyday things and their old-school prices that would make anyone do a double take. Get ready to appreciate how far your money once went.
1. Gas at 25 Cents a Gallon
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Back in the 1950s, pulling up to the gas pump meant filling your tank for just a few dollars. Imagine never stressing about gas prices hitting $5. Those old gas station signs feel almost like a fairy tale now.
2. Loaf of Bread for 10 Cents
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In the 1920s, a dime could buy you a fresh loaf of bread. Grocery shopping then looked less like scanning credit cards and more like handing over pocket change.
3. Movie Tickets for 15 Cents
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A night out at the movies during the Great Depression was cheap enough for almost anyone to enjoy. Today, popcorn costs more than an entire evening at the cinema once did.
4. Brand-New Car for $500
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In the 1940s, $500 could put you behind the wheel of a brand-new car. It makes today’s monthly car payments feel even more painful.
5. Coffee for 5 Cents
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A cup of diner coffee for a nickel was once a morning ritual. There were no specialty drinks or pumpkin spice, just strong coffee that cost less than gum.
6. Ice Cream Cone for 5 Cents
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Kids could treat themselves to a creamy scoop without begging their parents for extra cash. Those tiny prices made summer even sweeter.
7. New Home for $7,000
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In the 1950s, buying a brand-new home cost less than a used car does now. The idea of a starter home was actually affordable back then.
8. Hamburger for 15 Cents
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Fast food joints once charged just 15 cents for a juicy burger. Forget dollar menus; this was real wallet-friendly eating.
9. Newspaper for 2 Cents
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Staying informed used to be the cheapest habit you could have. You barely needed a coin to catch up on all the day’s biggest headlines.
10. Penny Candy for 1 Cent
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A single penny bought you a sweet treat, and kids treasured every piece. Today, you are lucky if you can find anything under a dollar.
11. Milk Delivered for 30 Cents a Gallon
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The milkman brought fresh milk right to your doorstep, and it barely cost a thing. That glass bottle felt like a luxury without the luxury price tag.
12. Train Ride for 50 Cents
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Long before airfare took off, train travel was the affordable way to explore. A few quarters could take you to a whole new city.
13. Hotel Room for $5 a Night
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Road trips once meant finding cozy motels for just a few bucks. Now, you are lucky to find a place that charges less than your phone bill.
14. Payphone Call for 10 Cents
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Dropping a dime let you make a call almost anywhere. No monthly plans, no apps–just the sound of coins clinking into the machine.
15. Vinyl Records for $1
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Owning the latest hit album once meant shelling out just a dollar or two. Collecting music never hit your bank account the way it does now.
16. Crayons for 5 Cents
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A handful of colorful crayons cost about the same as a stick of gum. Kids could unleash their creativity without parents needing a second job.
17. Haircut for 25 Cents
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A trip to the barbershop was quick, easy, and incredibly affordable. It was not about luxury cuts, but you sure walked out feeling fresh.
18. Oil Change for $2
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Keeping your car running was once a tiny expense. There were no synthetic blends, no fancy upsells, just a quick oil change that barely dented your wallet.
19. Postage Stamp for 3 Cents
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Mailing a letter was practically free compared to today’s rates. Sending greetings or paying bills cost less than a handful of pennies.
20. Playground Ride for 5 Cents
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A day of fun at the local air meant hopping on rides for just a nickel. Kids could run wild all afternoon without blowing through their allowance.