How much did things cost in 1988 - 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.
| 1988 price | Inflation adjusted | |
|---|---|---|
| Average house price (1) | $89,300 | $240,000 |
| Gallon of gas | 90c | $2.40 |
| Ford Escort GL 2-door Hatchback | $6,649 | $18,000 |
| Ford Taurus GL V-6 4-door Sedan | $12,872 | $35,000 |
| 20 cigarettes (average price) | $1.30 | $3.50 |
| Posting a letter | 25c | 68c |
| Newspaper: The New York Times | 30-35c | 81-94c |
| Sony Watchman black & white pocket TV | $119.99 | $320 |
| RCA remote control color TV | $119.95 | $320 |
| Commodore 64C computer (Sears) | $289.95 | $780 |
| Cordless phone with last number redial (Sears) | $69.99 | $190 |
| Atari XE video game system (Sears) | $149.99 | $400 |
| Timex stainless steel digital chronograph (Sears) | $14.96 | $40 |
| Lego Raceway set (Sears) | $47.99 | $130 |
| Electronic keyboard (Sears) | $89.99 | $240 |
| Boneless fresh hams (lb) | $2.59 | $7 |
| Rib eye beef roast (lb) | $3.59 | $9.70 |
| Ball Park beef franks 16oz pack | $2.59 | $7 |
| Italian style sausage (lb) | $1.59 | $4.30 |
| Jumbo cooked shrimp (lb) | $9.00 | $24 |
| Tropicana grapefruit juice 64oz can | $1.69 | $4.60 |
| Michelob beer 6 12oz cans | $3.89 | $10 |
| Breyers yogurt 8oz cup | 59c | $1.60 |
| Pilsbury cheese pizza 7oz | $1.69 | $4.60 |
| Old El Pass Burritos 5oz pack | 79c | $2.10 |
| Granny Smith apples (lb) | 79c | $2.10 |
| Juicy Anjou pears (lb) | 69c | $1.90 |
| Colgate toothpaste 5.4oz tube | $1.49 | $4 |
| Fresh Linguine 12oz pack | $1.79 | $4.80 |
| Ben & Jerry's ice cream 16oz container | $1.99 | $5.40 |
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
