The Cost Of Living…In 1972.
My mom just sent me this little book called “Remember When” and it has all sorts of info about the year I was born. (They make them for every year) In looking through it, I came across a page titled “Cost Of Living” and was amazed at how much average prices have changed in 37 years, and figured you guys would get a kick out of it too. Let’s take a look…
New House – $27,600
Average Income – $11,859 per year
New Car – $3,853
Average Rent – $165 per month
Tuition to Harvard University – $2,800
Movie Ticket – $1.75
Gasoline – $.55 per gallon
Postage Stamp – $.08
Bacon – $.83 per pound
Eggs – $.45 per dozen
Fresh Ground Hamburger – $.64 per pound
Milk – $1.20 per gallon
If you ever come across one of these books for your birth year, I recommend you check it out. There is some pretty interesting information in them!
You might also like:
- Hybrids-It’s Not About The Extra Cost, It’s About Making A Better Choice.
- How Much Does It Cost To Own Different Kinds Of Animals?
- Talking About Groceries – My Two Week List & Cost.
- Living Below Your Means Does Not Mean Living Poorly.
- The Secrets Of Living A Debt Free Life.
Related Websites:
- is college worth it? (part 2)
- Fun Facts about Chocolate
- Amazon keeps impressing us with its food selection
My parents bought their house in 1975 and paid about that amount.
I was born in 1973 and have seen my birth year book. I like to listen to the stories my parents talk about, which were from about that time.
I like this stuff as well. I hoped to see median income for the same year, that would help put things in perspective.
They did have the average – Average Income – $11,859 per year
Looks like most things have gone up 5-10% since 1972, with housing and education the highest increase. It’s amazing to think that the average house cost only 2.3x the average salary. The ratio now using Dec 2008 median house price and 2008 median income = 3.7x.
Food prices relatively low increase. Subsidies?
I’m blind, I guess, sorry. So income is up about 4X, that lets you see what increased faster or less than, income. Good post.
Egads, I didn’t mean 5-10%; I meant 5-10x. Big difference, hmph!
Egads, I mistyped. I meant 5-10x, not 5-10%. Big difference!
[...] of Living in 1972 By Hazzard David over at My Two Dollars has a great post talking about the value of items in 1972. It’s always shocking to me to see [...]