How much did things cost in 1976 - USA?
Prices have risen considerably since 1976. This table gives you an idea of how prices have changed since 1976.
Many things were much cheaper: houses, cars, posting a letter and cigarettes.
These are some prices of items in 1976.
| 1976 price | Inflation adjusted | |
|---|---|---|
| Average house price (1) | $38,100 | $220,000 |
| Gallon of gas | 57c | $3.20 |
| Ford LTD Pillared Hardtop 4-door Sedan (2) | $4,780 | $27,000 |
| Ford Pinto 2-door Sedan | $3,025 | $17,000 |
| Texas Instruments TI-1250 calculator with memory (Safeway) | $11.99 | $68 |
| Texas Instruments digital watch (Safeway) | $17.99 | $100 |
| TV Fun electronic game (Hockey/Tennis/Handball/Solo) (J C Penney) | $59.88 | $340 |
| AM/FM Cassette Player/Recorder (J C Penney) | $39.88 | $230 |
| Mini Tape recorder (J C Penney) | $39.88 | $230 |
| Rockwell 24K II Rechargeable pocket calculator in extra slim wallet (J C Penney) | $29.88 | $170 |
| Texas Instruments Little Professor (J C Penney) | $19.95 | $110 |
| Twister game (J C Penney) | $5.44 | $31 |
| Matchbox City Vehicle set (10 toy cars) (J C Penney) | $8.99 | $51 |
| Mickey Mouse Watch (adult size) (J C Penney) | $14.95 | $85 |
| 20 cigarettes (average price) | 49c | $2.80 |
| Posting a letter | 13c | 74c |
| Newspaper: The New York Times | 20c | $1.10 |
| Safeway brand Canned ham (8lb) (Safeway) | $12.69 | $72 |
| Blade chuck roast (lb) (Safeway) | 78c | $4.50 |
| Fresh fryers (chicken) (lb) (Safeway) | 44c | $2.50 |
| Bel-air cheese pizza (frozen 16oz) (Safeway) | 89c | $5.10 |
| Thompson seedless Californian grapes (lb) (Safeway) | 39c | $2.20 |
| Corned beef (lb) (Safeway) | 99c | $5.60 |
| Kraft Barbecue Sauce (18oz) (Safeway) | 49c | $2.80 |
| Mrs Wright's multi-grain bread 3 x 1lb loaves (Safeway) | $1 | $5.70 |
| Cherries (Californian) (lb) (Safeway) | 69c | $3.90 |
| Mini salmon (pink meat) (lb) (Safeway) | $1.59 | $9.10 |
| Bel-air frozen waffles 6 x 5oz packs (Safeway) | $1 | $5.70 |
| Colgate Dental Cream 7oz tube (Safeway) | 88c | $5 |
Other years
References
(1) US Existing One-Family Houses Sold and Price, by Region, 1970 to 1998, Census Bureau, Statistical Abstract of the United States, 1999, Section 25 Construction and Housing, page 726.
(2) I have given the price of the cheapest full-sized Ford V8. From 1976, this was the LTD model.
By Steven Braggs August 2025
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