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Food & Drink

How Much Grocery Store Items Cost In 1950 Vs. 2020

For generations, people have commented on the rising cost of groceries, but when factoring in inflation, some items are actually cheaper today than they were in the 1950s. Food prices in 1950 were measured in cents, but in 2020 those prices go up exponentially. That milkshake you'd be sharing with your sweetie would be almost two times as expensive thanks to what inflation did to milk prices. Have you ever wondered, “How much was a loaf of bread in the 1950s?” How about the price of eggs? This list will break down 1950 food prices by listing the average price back then, the 1950 price factoring in inflation - using the US Bureau of Labor Statistics's inflation calculator - and today's cost for the same items. Vote up the grocery store items that you think have the best value now and vote down anything you'd rather travel back in time to purchase.

Entries
17
Votes
3K
Updated
yesterday

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  1. 1

    Steak

    1950: $0.85/lb 1950 Adjusted For Inflation: $9.34 2020: $5.72/lb

    72% upvoted
  2. 2

    Bananas

    1950: $0.16/lb 1950 Adjusted For Inflation: $1.76 2020: $0.57/lb

    70% upvoted
  3. 3

    Pork Chops

    1950: $0.61/lb 1950 Adjusted For Inflation: $6.70 2020: $3.29/lb

    70% upvoted
  4. 4

    White Bread

    1950: $0.14/lb 1950 Adjusted For Inflation: $1.54 2020: $1.37/lb

    71% upvoted
  5. 5

    Bunch Of Carrots

    1950: $0.10/bunch 1950 Adjusted For Inflation: $1.10 2020: $0.92 1 lb bag

    68% upvoted
  6. 6

    Bacon

    1950: $0.59/lb 1950 Adjusted For Inflation: $6.48 2020: $5.50/lb

    70% upvoted
  7. 7

    A Dozen Eggs

    1950: $0.52/dozen 1950 Adjusted For Inflation: $5.71 2020: $1.55/dozen

    66% upvoted
  8. 8

    Cheese

    1950: $0.52/lb 1950 Adjusted For Inflation: $5.71 2020: $5.32/lb (cheddar)

    65% upvoted
  9. 9

    Rice

    1950: $0.16/lb 1950 Adjusted For Inflation: $1.76 2020: $0.73/lb

    73% upvoted
  10. 10

    Quart Of Milk

    1950: $0.19/quart 1950 Adjusted For Inflation: $2.09 2020: $3.24/gallon or $0.81/quart

    71% upvoted