How much did things cost in 1986 - USA?
Prices have risen considerably since 1980. This table gives you an idea of how prices have changed since 1980.
Many things were much cheaper: houses, cars, posting a letter and cigarettes.
These are some prices of items in 1980.
| 1986 price | Inflation adjusted | |
|---|---|---|
| Average house price (1) | $80,300 | $230,000 |
| Gallon of gas | 86c | $2.50 |
| Ford Tempo GL 2-door Hatchback | $7,358 | $21,000 |
| Ford Taurus L V-6 4-door Sedan | $9,645 | $28,000 |
| 20 cigarettes (average price) | $1.10 | $3.20 |
| Posting a letter | 22c | 64c |
| Newspaper: The New York Times | 30c | 87c |
| Dual Alarm Clock radio (Sears) | $19.99 | $58 |
| Sony Walkman stereo cassette player with AM/FM radio (Sears) | $69.99 | $200 |
| Boom Box with sing-a-long/record function (Sears) | $88.88 | $260 |
| Seiko stainless steel digital chronograph (Sears) | $41.50 | $120 |
| Celebration Barbie doll (Sears) | $14.99 | $43 |
| Cabbage Patch Kids (Sears) | $29.99 | $87 |
| Freirich Corned beef (lb) | $1.19 | $3.50 |
| Boneless rump roast (lb) | $2.29 | $6.60 |
| Breaded turkey nuggets 12oz pack | $2.69 | $7.80 |
| Pork chop combination (lb) | $1.59 | $4.60 |
| Alaskan fresh salmon (lb) | $3.99 | $12 |
| Sunny Delight Punch 64oz plastic | $1.29 | $3.70 |
| Schmidt's beer 6 12oz cans | $2.09 | $6.10 |
| Kraft regular barbecue sauce 18oz jar | $1.09 | $3.20 |
| Ball Park beef franks 16oz pack | $1.19 | $3.50 |
| Crisp'n'Tasty Jeno's pizza 10oz | $1.29 | $3.70 |
| M&M's Candies 16oz pack | $2.19 | $6.30 |
| Red ripe watermelon (lb) | 23c | 67c |
| Fresh romaine lettuce (lb) | 79c | $2.30 |
| Cracker barrel cheddar 10oz bar | $2.29 | $6.60 |
| Fleischmann's Margarine 16oz pack | $1.19 | $3.50 |
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
