How much did things cost in 1956 - USA?
Prices have risen considerably since 1956. This table gives you an idea of how prices have changed since 1956.
Many things were much cheaper: houses, cars, posting a letter and cigarettes.
These are some prices of items in 1956.
Radios
The first transistor radio, the Regency TR-1, went on sale in the US in November 1954. You could still buy the Regency TR-1 for $49.95, the original 1954 launch price in 1956. By then several other competitors were selling portable transistor radios. The best of which was the $75, Zenith Royal 500. It became a long running model and set the standard for a quality transistor portable.
Tube radios and tube portables were still available.
| 1956 price | Inflation adjusted | |
|---|---|---|
| RCA Victor 6-BX-93 portable tube radio | $49.95 | $510 |
| Motorola 55B1 portable tube radio | $29.95 | $310 |
| Zenith Royal 500-Y pocket transistor radio | $75 | $770 |
| Regency TR-1 pocket transistor radio | $49.95 | $510 |
| General Electric 675 pocket transistor radio | $49.95 | $510 |
| General Electric 3 way (AC/DC/battery) tube portable radio | $29.95 | $310 |
| Gallon of gas | 29c | $3 |
| Ford Mainline Fordor Sedan | $1,938 | $20,000 |
| RCA Victor 17" television | $89.50 | $920 |
| Zenith 21" console television, mahogany | $179.50 | $1,800 |
| RCA Victor 6-BX-93 portable tube radio | $49.95 | $510 |
| Zenith Royal 500B pocket transistor raido | $75 | $770 |
| 20 cigarettes (average price) (3) | 23c | $2.40 |
| Posting a letter | 3c | 31c |
| Newspaper: The New York Times | 5c | 52c |
| Hamburger at McDonald's | 15c | $1.60 |
| Parker Jotter ballpoint pen | $2.95 | $30 |
| Flour (5lb) | 53c | $5.50 |
| Bread (per lb) | 18c | $1.90 |
| Road steak (lb) | 88c | $9.10 |
| Chuck roast (lb) | 48c | $4.90 |
| Pork chops (lb) | 78c | $8 |
| Bacon (lb) | 58c | $6 |
| Butter (lb) | 72c | $7.40 |
| Eggs (dozen) | 60c | $6.20 |
| Milk (½ gallon) | 48c | $4.90 |
| Oranges (dozen) | 58c | $6 |
| Potatoes (10lb) | 68c | $7 |
| Canned tomatoes (No. 303 can) | 15c | $1.60 |
| Navy beans (lb) | 16c | $1.60 |
| Coffee (lb) | $1.03 | $11 |
| Margarine (lb) | 29c | $3 |
| Sugar (5lb) | 52c | $5.40 |
References
(1) Median new build house price over ten metropolitan areas
(2) 'Annual Report on Tobacco Statistics, 1959', published by the US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service, page 50
By Steven Braggs, July 2023
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