Average American family, Detroit, Michigan, 1954
In 1956, new homes costing as little as $7,000 could still be found. Though the average new build family home in 1956 was a 3-bedroom rambler (ranch-style house) selling for $14,500. Most people were shopping for homes in the $12,000 to $15,000 sector
These are the prices of some typical family cars from the 1950s:
- 1950 Chevrolet Deluxe 6 cylinder 216 cubic inch – $1529
- 1953 Chevrolet Bel Air 6 cylinder 235 cubic inch – $1885
- 1954 Ford 8 cylinder 2-door Mainline – $2020
- 1954 Plymouth Plaza Club sedan – $1980
- 1954 Buick Special 4-door sedan – $2740
The average price of a gallon of gas rose from 27c in 1950 to 30c in 1959.
At the beginning of the 1950s, it cost just 3c to post a letter up to 1 ounce in weight in the USA. The rate rose to 4c in 1958.
McDonald’s prices from the 1950s:
- Hamburger – 15c
- Coffee – 5c
- Milkshake – 20c
At the beginning of the 1950s a black and white TV sold from $200 to $400
Typical prices of consumer goods were:
- Sunbeam 12W automatic mixer – $46.95 (Sears 1958)
- Kenmore automatic toaster – $12.95 (Sears 1958)
- Gian Kenmore Grill-Waffler – $21.95 (Sears 1958)
- Sunbeam automatic coffeemaker – $24.95 (Sears 1958)
- Fully automatic corn popper – $6.60 (Sears 1958)
- Coldspot fridge-freezer – $329.95 (Sears 1958)
- Kenmore electric cooker – $159.95 (Sears 1958)
Meat
- Turkey 18-24lb (Safeway 1957) – 37c per lb
- Smoked ham (Safeway 1957) – 49c per lb
- Fresh grade A frying chickens (Safeway 1953) – 52c per lb
- Ribs of beef (Safeway 1953) – 63c per lb
Murad Cigarettes was the most expensive brand and cost 37c per pack. Parliament and Du Maurier, both filter brands with an exclusive image, cost 33c. Kent was also a premium brand and sold for 31c.
