How much did things cost in 1959 - USA?

Prices have risen considerably since 1959. This table gives you an idea of how prices have changed since 1959.

Many things were much cheaper: houses, cars, posting a letter and cigarettes.

These are some prices of items in 1959.

	1959 price	Inflation adjusted
Average house price (1)	$14,329	$140,000
Gallon of gas	31c	$2.98
Ford Custom 300 Fordor Sedan	$2,180	$21,000
Philco Predicta 21" television	$174.97	$1,700
Philco Safari battery powered television	$250	$2,400
General Electric all transistor radio	$22.87	$220
Zenith Royal 500E pocket transistor radio	$59.95	$580
Zenith Royal 200 pocket transistor radio	$44.95	$430
20 cigarettes (average price) (2)	25c	$2.40
Posting a letter	4c	38c
Newspaper: The New York Times	5c	48c
Hamburger at McDonald's	15c	$1.40
Papermate Holiday ballpoint pen	$1.79	$17
Flour (5lb)	55c	$5.30
Bread (per lb)	20c	$1.90
Road steak (lb)	$1.07	$10
Chuck roast (lb)	64c	$6.10
Pork chops (lb)	85c	$8.20
Bacon (lb)	67c	$6.40
Butter (lb)	75c	$7.20
Eggs (dozen)	53c	$5.10
Milk (½ gallon)	51c	$4.90
Oranges (dozen)	66c	$6.30
Potatoes (10lb)	63c	$6
Canned tomatoes (No. 303 can)	16c	$1.50
Navy beans (lb)	17c	$1.60
Coffee (lb)	78c	$7.50
Margarine (lb)	28c	$2.70
Sugar (5lb)	57c	$5.50

References

(1) Median family home price from "22nd Annual Report of the Federal Housing Administration", 1960 page 68

(2) 'Automobile Facts and Figures' published by the Automobile Manufacturers Association, 1956, page 17

(3) 'Annual Report on Tobacco Statistics, 1959', published by the US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service, page 50