Top 30+ Prices in the ’70s Compared to What We Pay Today

Ever wonder how much your parents or grandparents paid for the things we now spend fortunes on? The 1970s might not feel that long ago, but the prices sure make it seem like a different universe. Whether it’s gas, rent, or even a cup of coffee, the cost of living has done some serious growing up. Get ready to shake your head, laugh, or cry as we compare 30 everyday expenses from the groovy '70s to today’s wallet-burning reality.

New Car

The average price of a brand-new car in 1975 was around $4,250. Now it’s over $48,000 for a new vehicle. That's more than ten times the price, and no, you don’t get ten times the horsepower.

Rent for a One-Bedroom Apartment

Back in the day, monthly rent for a modest one-bedroom could be as low as $200. These days, renters in many cities hand over $1,500 to $3,000 for the same setup. And no, utilities still aren’t included.

Loaf of Bread

Bread in the 1970s cost around 25 cents. In 2025, you’re looking at $2 to $5 depending on the type. Whole grain, gluten-free, artisanal? That’ll be extra.

Postage Stamp

Mailing a letter in 1970? Just 6 cents. In 2025, it’ll run you 68 cents. Snail mail is slower and more expensive.

Cup of Coffee

A cup of diner coffee used to cost 25 cents. Now, your morning fix at a popular chain is often $4 or more. Fancy foam art was not included in 1970.

College Tuition

Harvard charged about $2,600 a year in 1970. In 2025, it's closer to $60,000 annually, before room and board. That's not just inflation, that's highway robbery with a cap and gown.

TV Set

A color TV cost around $400 in the 1970s, which was a decent chunk of change. Today, you can get a 50-inch 4K TV for less than that. Finally, something that got better and cheaper.

Milk (Gallon)

Milk ran around $1.15 per gallon in 1975. It’s now roughly $4, depending on your location. Organic? Grass-fed? That's an entirely different dairy drama.

Average House Price

In 1970, the median home price in the U.S. was about $23,000. Today, it's hovering near $400,000. That’s one way to make Monopoly money look real.

Big Mac

A Big Mac in the '70s cost about 65 cents. Today it’s over $5 in most places. The calories are timeless, but the price sure isn’t.

Haircut

A women’s haircut in 1975 might’ve cost around $5 to $10. These days? A cut, wash, and style can cost over $100. And let’s not even talk about highlights.

Newspaper

The daily paper cost 10 cents in the early '70s. Nowadays, it’s often $2.50, and that’s if you can find one in print. Most of us just scroll and scroll.

Movie Popcorn

Popcorn at the movies used to be 75 cents for a big tub. Now it’s more like $8. Plus $3 for butter. And $2.50 for a napkin, probably.

Pack of Tobacco

A pack of Tobacco was around 60 cents in 1975. Now it can cost over $10 depending on taxes and location. Your lungs and your wallet both thank you if you quit.

Sneakers

A pair of Adidas or Converse might’ve cost $15 back in the day. These days, branded sneakers can hit $100 easily. Limited edition? Triple that.

Airline Ticket (Domestic Roundtrip)

A round-trip flight in the 1970s might’ve been around $150. Today, it’s often $400 or more, unless you’re flying Spirit with a backpack and zero dignity.

Concert Ticket

In the 1970s, seeing your favorite band live cost around $10. In 2025, you might shell out $200 or more, and compete in an online war to get the ticket in the first place.

TV Dinner

These frozen meals were about a dollar each. Now, it’s more like $4 to $6 for a single-serve frozen entrée. The peas still taste weird, though.

Bar of Soap

Soap in the 1970s was about 15 cents per bar. Now it’s closer to $2, unless you’re buying one that smells like pine forests and existential dread.

Bicycle

You could snag a decent bike for around $60 in the '70s. Now, a mid-range one might set you back $400 or more. Add a helmet and lock, and you're looking at a small investment.

Pint of Beer

Ordering a beer at the bar in 1975? About 75 cents. Now it’s $7 in most cities. Happy Hour is less happy for your bank account.

Telephone Bill

Back then, phone bills were around $10 a month. Today, most people spend over $70 a month for a cell plan. And yes, it still drops calls.

Dog Food (Per Pound)

In the 1970s, you’d pay about 10 cents per pound of dry dog food. Now it's $1 or more, especially for brands with phrases like "grain-free" and "ancestral diet".

Board Games

Games like Monopoly or Clue were under $5. Now, most classic games run between $20 and $40. If you want a deluxe edition, prepare to sell Boardwalk.

VCR

VCRs didn’t come around until late '70s, but early models were over $1,000. Today you can’t even give one away. Times change fast.

Gym Membership

A gym membership in the '70s cost around $10–$15 a month. Today, it’s $50 on average, and that’s if you don’t get upsold on a smoothie plan and a personal trainer.

Blue Jeans

A good pair of Levi’s was under $20. Now, jeans can cost anywhere from $50 to $200. Holes used to mean they were worn out, now they mean “fashion forward”.

Toothpaste

A tube cost about 40 cents in 1975. Today, it’s closer to $3 or $4. And now they come with things like charcoal, whitening, and complicated life choices.

Movie Tickets

Catching a film in the 1970s cost roughly $1.50. Today? Around $12 on average, and even more if you want reclining seats and Dolby surround sound. The popcorn still costs a small fortune, though that part hasn't changed much.

A Gallon of Gas

In 1970, you could fill up your tank for about 36 cents a gallon. Fast-forward to now, and depending on where you live, you might pay anywhere from $3.50 to $5. That's about a tenfold increase. People used to find spare change in their couches that could get them a few miles.