How much did things cost in 1981?

Sinclair ZX81
The Sinclair ZX81 helped start a home computer boom in the 1980s

So how much did things cost in 1981? Technology was more expensive, but cars and petrol were much cheaper.

Technology

The big technology news of 1981 was the ZX81. Sir Clive Sinclair produced a small computer that used your TV as a monitor for just seventy quid. It was an update from the ZX80 a year earlier, but this ZX81 was the computer the public took to. It started the 1980s' home computer boom.

Scientific calculators had become standard equipment for older school children, but were still not permitted in exams.

Teenagers were into stereo cassette recorders instead of record players. They would grow in the ghetto blasters associated with the 1980s.

Colour televisions were expensive in comparison to today. A 20" colour TV was standard in 1981. It would have cost £700 in today's (2021) money. Today you can buy a 24" TV for £150.

1981
price
Inflation
adjusted
20" Grundig colour TV (Dixons)£239.95£770
12" Hitachi portable black & white TV (Currys)£79.95£260
Prinztronic scientific calculator (Dixons)£9.90£32
Bush stereo cassette recorder (Dixons)£69.95 £220
Sinclair ZX81 personal computer £69.95£220

Motoring

Petrol prices had crashed through the psychological £1 per gallon price a year ago. They showed no signs of stopping their upward rise in 1981. Nevertheless petrol was still cheaper than today. We were only paying 35p a litre in 1981. In 2021 money that would be £1.04 per litre.

The same was true of the average car. The Ford Cortina was still the rep's favourite in 1981. A basic model would have set you back just £12,400 in today's money. It makes you wonder why manufacturers couldn't stick to making a basic car for a basic price. A brand new Cortina would still be a great car today. Who needs cup holders and electric windows if they could save £10,000+ on the new price!

1981
price
Inflation
adjusted
Gallon of petrol£1.60£5.10
Ford Cortina car£4,200£13,000

Cigarettes and alcohol (booze and fags)

I was struggling to find any Watneys Party Seven for sale in the national press in 1981. It was rapidly dropping out of favour. Lager was growing in popularity. Bitter was still Britain's favourite pint in a pub.

In the 1980s whisky was still the drink for real men. Sherry was still popular at Chistmas. Aspirational drinkers may have preferred Bailey's Irish Cream.

1981
price
Inflation
adjusted
Bottle of whisky (Teacher's) (Tesco)£6.09£19
Bottle of sherry (Harvey's Bristol Cream) (Tesco)£2.89£9.20
Bailey's Irish Cream (International)£4.89£16
Harp lager - four cans (Tesco)£1.19£3.80
Pint of beer51p£1.60
20 cigarettes78p£2.50

Groceries

1981
price
Inflation
adjusted
Pint of milk18½p59p
Large loaf of bread35½p£1.10
250g Sainsbury's English butter43½p£1.40
100g Nescafé coffee (Fine Fare)87p£2.80
Can of Pepsi Cola (Tesco)17p 54p
Half dozen size 4 brown eggs (Sainsbury's)30½p98p
Mild English Cheddar cheese (1lb) (Sainsbury's)99p£3.20
Stork SB 500g margarine 32½p£1

Home appliances

Microwave ovens were still the latest thing in 1981. Most homes were getting freezers for the first time. Many people were opting for automatic washing machines instead of twin tubs.

1981
price
Inflation
adjusted
Carlton fridge-freezer (Currys)£169.95£540
Servis twin tub washing machine (Currys)£189.95£610
Hoover automatic washing machine (Currys)£194.95£620

Newspapers

Newspapers still cost a few pence in 1981.

1981
price
Inflation
adjusted
Daily Mirror newspaper12-14p38-45p

Housing

The Thatcher boom had yet to take place in 1981. Although prices were on the up, you could still get an average semi for £70k in today's money. Imagine that.

1981
price
Inflation
adjusted
Average house price£24,000£77,000

Notes:

The inflation adjusted prices are based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

For a comparison of prices in 1981 adjusted for incomes see Income adjusted prices for 1981

By Steven Braggs, February 2021, updated May 2022

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