Prices in the 1920s



One hundred years sounds like a lifetime, but that was the Roaring Twenties and more than likely when your grandparents and great grandparents lived. So what was the cost of items 100 years ago? But keep in mind, wages were much lower. The average household income in the United States in 1920 was about $3,269 a year.

So starting with a nice good-size home the cost was about $6,300. If you got an apartment in NYC the rent was $60 a month.

Groceries were cheaper, such as 3 pounds of macaroni was 25 cents, ½ gallon of milk was 33 cents, a dozen eggs cost 47 cents and one pound of round steak was 40 cents.

For ladies who got a professional manicure, the cost was 25 cents. To get your hair in a bob (short) the most popular style of the 1920s, the cost was $5.00 and then $2.00 to keep it short. The special day for any lady was her wedding. A big fancy wedding in the 1920s cost about $400.

The newest form of entertainment, especially in the home, was the radio. A new one in 1920 was $200 but by 1929 the cost dropped to $35, so a lot more people had this wonderful item. Another entertainment was going to the movie theatre. The cost was 15 cents, some special movies might cost 25 cents. Tickets today run about $10 each.

Playing music on vinyl records was popular in the 1920s. Each record cost about 85 cents back in the 1920s. Of course, vinyl records are less used today, but some are out there, costing $10 or more.

A great item for the home was to have a washing machine. They cost $82 in the 1920s. A vacuum cleaner was also needed. New was the Hoover Electric Cleaner, costing $39 each.

Going out for dinner, a meal could cost about 50 to 70 cents each.

Having an automobile was desired in a family. Depending on the make and model, a Chevrolet in the 1920s would cost about $525. Gasoline was 30 cents a gallon with service provided at the pump.

So you see that income of $3,269 did not last long even in the 1920s.

Photo: Radio in the home in the 1920s.

Related FamilyTree.com Blogs:

Consumer Age

The Early 20th Century

Breakfast Foods for Our Ancestors

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