How much did things cost in 1981 - USA?
Prices have risen considerably since 1981. This table gives you an idea of how prices have changed since 1981.
Many things were much cheaper: houses, cars, posting a letter and cigarettes.
These are some prices of items in 1981.
| 1981 price | Inflation adjusted | |
|---|---|---|
| Average house price (1) | $66,400 | $230,000 |
| Gallon of gas | $1.31 | $4.60 |
| Ford Escort GL 2-door Hatchback | $5,838 | $20,000 |
| Ford Fairmont 6 4-door Sedan | $6,364 | $22,000 |
| 20 cigarettes (average price) | 70c | $2.50 |
| Posting a letter | 18c | 63c |
| Newspaper: The New York Times | 25c | 88c |
| Sony 19" color TV with remote (Poor Richard's) | $695 | $2,400 |
| AM/FM stereo cassette player/recorder (Montgomery Ward) | $79.88 | $280 |
| Sony Walkman I (Poor Richard's) | $95 | $330 |
| Microwave convection/combination (Montgomery Ward) | $599.88 | $2,100 |
| BMX bike (Montgomery Ward) | $159.99 | $560 |
| Malibu Barbie doll (Montgomery Ward) | $4.77 | $17 |
| Rubik's Cube puzzle | $4.97 | $17 |
| Rib eye steaks (lb) | $4.69 (A&P) | $16 |
| Kraft Dinner Macaroni & Cheese 3 7¼oz packs (A&P) | 99c | $3.50 |
| Nabisco Ritz Crackers 12oz pack (A&P) | $1.30 | $4.50 |
| Beef chuck roast (lb) (A&P) | $1.79 | $6.30 |
| P & Q Sweetcorn 16oz can (A&P) | 39c | $1.40 |
| Foster Farms whole fryer (chicken)(lb) | 66c | $2.30 |
| Bananas (lb) (Safeway) | 29c | $1 |
| Avocados (3) | 89c | $3.10 |
| Kraft BBQ sauce 18oz bottle (Safeway) | 79c | $2.80 |
| Coca-Cola 6 12oz cans (Safeway) | $1.49 | $5.20 |
| Honeydew Melon (lb) (Safeway) | 19c | 67c |
| Heinz Ketchup 32oz can (Safeway) | 99c | $3.50 |
| Tomatoes (3lb) (Safeway) | $1 | $3.50 |
| Cheerios (10oz) (Safeway) | 99c | $3.50 |
| Heineken beer 6 12oz cans (Safeway) | $3.49 | $12 |
| Lucerne yogurt (8oz) (Safeway) | 37c | $1.30 |
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.
By Steven Braggs August 2025, updated August 2025
