How much did things cost in 1987 - 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.
| 1987 price | Inflation adjusted | |
|---|---|---|
| Average house price (1) | $85,600 | $240,000 |
| Gallon of gas | 90c | $2.50 |
| Ford Escort GL 2-door Hatchback | $6,801 | $19,000 |
| Ford Taurus L V-6 4-door Sedan | $11,163 | $31,000 |
| 20 cigarettes (average price) | $1.19 | $3.30 |
| Posting a letter | 22c | 62c |
| Newspaper: The New York Times | 30c | 84c |
| Sony 19" cable ready TV | $369.88 | $1,000 |
| Sony Walkman AM/FM stereo cassette player | $69.88 | $200 |
| JVC portable AM/FM stereo dubbing cassette recorder | $69.88 | $200 |
| Tropical Miko Barbie doll | $5.97 | $17 |
| GI Joe figure | $2.69 | $7.50 |
| My Little Twinkle-eyed Pony | $4.97 | $14 |
| Freirich Corned beef (lb) | $2.39 | $6.70 |
| Rib eye beef roast (lb) | $3.69 | $10 |
| DAK sliced bacon 16oz pack | $2.69 | $7.50 |
| Louis rich turkey franks 16oz pack | 99c | $2.80 |
| Large cooked shrimp (lb) | $9.99 | $28 |
| Dole Pineapple juice 46oz can | $1.19 | $3.30 |
| Meister Brau beer 6 12oz cans | $1.99 | $5.60 |
| Heineken beer 6 12oz cans | $4.99 | $14 |
| A&P butter (lb) | $2.19 | $6.10 |
| A&P Swiss yogurt 2 8oz cups | 89c | $2.50 |
| Crisp'n'Tasty Jeno's pizza 10oz | $1.39 | $3.90 |
| Old El Pass Enchiladas 10oz pack | $1.59 | $4.50 |
| M&M's Candies 16oz pack | $2.29 | $6.40 |
| Black Ribier grapes (lb) | $1.19 | $3.30 |
| Juicy Anjou pears (lb) | 79c | $2.20 |
| Colgate toothpaste 4.6oz tube | $1.39 | $3.90 |
| Fleischmann's Margarine 16oz pack | $1.19 | $3.30 |
| Maxwell House coffee 8oz jar | $4.99 | $14 |
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
