How much did things cost in 1983 - USA?
Prices have risen considerably since 1983. This table gives you an idea of how prices have changed since 1983.
Many things were much cheaper: houses, cars, posting a letter and cigarettes.
These are some prices of items in 1983.
| 1983 price | Inflation adjusted | |
|---|---|---|
| Average house price (1) | $70,300 | $220,000 |
| Gallon of gas | $1.16 | $3.70 |
| Ford Escort GL 2-door Hatchback | $6,384 | $20,000 |
| Ford LTD 6 4-door Sedan | $8,455 | $27,000 |
| 20 cigarettes (average price) | 94c | $3 |
| Posting a letter | 20c | 64c |
| Newspaper: The New York Times | 30c | 96c |
| Sony Trinitron 19" color TV | $349 | $1,100 |
| AM/FM digital Clock radio (Sears) | $29.99 | $96 |
| Timex Sinclair 1000 personal computer (Sears) | $89.95 | $290 |
| Seiko stainless steel digital chronograph (Sears) | $49.50 | $160 |
| Kenmore microwave oven (Sears) | $349.99 | $1,100 |
| Compact Digital Audio Disc Player (Sears) | $589.99 | $1,900 |
| FX1000 BMX bike (Sears) | $199.99 | $640 |
| Etch-a-Sketch drawing toy (Sears) | $6.88 | $22 |
| TI Little Professor II (Sears) | $9.99 | $32 |
| Barbie doll (Sears) | $4.99 | $16 |
| Chuck roast (lb) | $1.28 | $4.10 |
| Pork loin roast (lb) | $1.49 | $4.80 |
| Boneless hams (lb) | $1.69 | $5.40 |
| Fresh leg of lamb (lb) | $2.29 | $7.30 |
| Smok-A-Roma Bacon (lb) | $1.39 | $4.50 |
| Star-Kist tuna 6.5oz | 69c | $2.20 |
| Cragmont cola 6 12oz cans | 88c | $2.80 |
| Buttertop bread | 79c | $2.50 |
| Fresh strawberries 12oz basket | 79c | $2.50 |
| Heinz Ketchup 44oz | $1.69 | $5.40 |
| Granny Potato chips (5oz) | 79c | $2.50 |
| Krispy crackers (16oz) | 59c | $1.90 |
| California avocados 3 | $1 | $3.20 |
| Celeste pizza (frozen) | 99c | $3.20 |
| Large eggs (dozen) | 87c | $2.80 |
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
