Here's What 10 Things Cost 100 Years Ago

Doug Collins

House

The aspiration of owning a white picket fence and a new house, which would have cost around $6,296 in the past, translates to approximately $95,017.97 in today's value.

Grocery Items

Grocery prices from 1920 are astounding compared to today, with a dozen eggs at 47 cents ($7.09 today) and a pound of round steak at 40 cents ($6.04 today). Recent factors, like inflation and avian flu outbreaks, already high cost of eggs.

Manicure

The automobile industry in the 1920s, women would paint their nails with high-gloss car paint, while a manicure cost less than 25 cents ($3.77 today). Oh, if only manicures were still that affordable in the present day.

Haircut

Ladies! Listen up. The most trendy hairstyle of the 1920s was the bob. To get the initial cut, it cost $5.00 ($75.46 today), and to upkeep the style it was $2.00 ($30.18 today) per week.

Wedding

Walking down the aisle is a ridiculously expensive trip. American's currently spend, on average, $30,000 on the big day. In 1920, the average cost of a wedding was about $400 ($6,036 today).

New Radio

The latest entertainment medium of the 1920s, the radio, was initially a significant investment for Americans, costing over $200 (over $3,000 today). However, prices dropped by the end of the decade to a more affordable $35 ($528.21 today)

Movie Ticket

A ticket to catch a movie on the big screen cost 15 cents–which is about $2.26 today. That's a far cry from the national average of a movie ticket in 2022, which is $10.95.

Washing Machine

Laundry isn't just going to do itself, you know. But if you wanted a washing machine, it would've cost $81.50. With inflation, that's about $1,229–which doesn't seem too far off by today's standards.

Diner Food

The cost of a meal for two at a diner today typically ranges from $20 to $30, while in 1920, it would have been around 70 cents ($18.23 today). Surprisingly, not much has changed in that regard.

New Car

In the 1920s, a Chevrolet car would set you back $525 (equivalent to just under $8,000 today), highlighting the appeal of owning a new car at such a reasonable price. Oh, how we wish the same were true in 2023!

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