How much did things cost in 1961 - USA?

Prices have risen considerably since 1961. This table gives you an idea of how prices have changed since 1961.

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

These are some prices of items in 1961.

	1961 price	Inflation adjusted
Gallon of gas	31c	$2.90
Ford Fairlane V8 Fordor Sedan	$2,506	$23,000
RCA Victor 23" television	$199.94	$1,900
Sony All transistor portable television	$249.95	$2,300
Zephyr 6-transistor radio	$12.88	$120
20 cigarettes (average price) (1)	28c	$2.60
Posting a letter	4c	37c
Newspaper: The New York Times	5c	47c
Hamburger at McDonald's	15c	$1.40
Papermate Lady Capri ballpoint pen	$2.95	$27
Flour (5lb)	56c	$5.20
Bread (per lb)	21c	$1.95
Road steak (lb)	$1.04	$9.70
Chuck roast (lb)	59c	$5.50
Pork chops (lb)	87c	$8.10
Bacon (lb)	71c	$6.60
Butter (lb)	76c	$7.10
Eggs (dozen)	57c	$5.30
Milk (½ gallon)	52c	$4.80
Oranges (dozen)	78c	$8.50
Potatoes (10lb)	63c	$5.90
Canned tomatoes (No. 303 can)	16c	$1.50
Navy beans (lb)	17c	$1.50
Coffee (lb)	74c	$6.90
Margarine (lb)	29c	$2.70
Sugar (5lb)	59c	$5.50

References

(1) 'Agricultural Statistics 1966', published by the US Department of Agriculture 1966, page 112