[CreativeAcrobate]

Was reading there's a Big Mac index now to gauge cost of living between countries.

I would imagine these prices are from approx 1950. ~ 10 - 15 times more expensive in ~ 60 years.

[AOE6q4bu]

If you're lighter than a brown paper sack, it's wise not to visit 14th and "E" in 'Berdoo. It doesn't matter if you run into the natives or the cops; it's gonna be unpleasant.

[ThzinChang]

I imagine the food was of higher quality then... ??

[teewHettive]

I imagine the food was of higher quality then... ??

"U.S. GOVERNMENT INSPECTED BEEF ONLY!" declares the sign in the picture. lol

[Tam04xa]

I imagine the food was of higher quality then... ??

I'd say yes, long before the days of Frankenfood...

[CreativeAcrobate]

I suppose another thing to consider is the quality of their food has gone down substantially.

I wonder how much McD's would charge today for the quality of food they used to produce...i.e. non gov subsidized corn fed/fabricated everything.

Perhaps add another 30-40% on top of today's prices?

[Sydaycymn]

i was going to post the exact same sentence gonzo did.

[ThzinChang]

Trip out on that weird hamburger icon... freaky!

[DoctoNilsonDen]

If you're lighter than a brown paper sack, it's wise not to visit 14th and "E" in 'Berdoo. It doesn't matter if you run into the natives or the cops; it's gonna be unpleasant.

yea....the hood looks a little ghetto...

[rouletteroulette]

There's a huge difference in the McD's of today and that of yesteryear, not only McD's but other joints as well, burger King, Burger Queen, A&B etc...

McD's did have toasted buns and your burger was made to order, add 5¢ per burger and make it a triple for 25¢! In the mid 70's the Q lb'er came out and it was a kick ass product! IDK WTF happened but as we all know it's all went to shit..maybe it's too much .gov or monetary policy in a shrinking economy but there was a day and time when "fast food" was NOT a slur or a term you'd avoid.

[creewespock]

I would eat at the original McDonalds, and probably would until about 1970 -- after that, not so much.

[Tumarimmicdak]

I imagine the food was of higher quality then... ??

Yes, the hamburgers didn't contain soy protein and the cheese trans-fats. And I'll bet the milkshakes contained significant amounts of real milk and cream, and no HFCS obviously.

[Aozenee]

Yes, the hamburgers didn't contain soy protein and the cheese trans-fats. And I'll bet the milkshakes contained significant amounts of real milk and cream, and no HFCS obviously.

Its amazing where that stuff is

At my old job we served milkshakes, and the 3 main ingredients Ice Cream, chocolate milk, and chololate sauce ALL contained HFCS (I mean corn sugar )

[tofRobbroolve]

Trip out on that weird hamburger icon... freaky!

GIM eye.

[CreativeAcrobate]

GIM eye.

The omnivores dilemma is a good read.

[CreativeAcrobate]

The cost of raising a child in 1995 averaged $145,000. Today it costs $227,000.


LoraxV on flickr

Sources: U.S. Department of Agriculture

An ounce of gold sold for $58 in 1972. Today it costs $1,664.


Source: Goldprice.net

The price of one U.S. stamp in 1971 was 8 cents. Today it is 45 cents.


Flickr / Whatknot



A pack of cigarettes sold for 45 cents in 1968. Today it costs up to $11.


Flickr / squishband

Source: The Evening Independent, March 19, 1968

The price of tuition at Yale was $1,950 in 1967. Today it is $38,300.


Flickr / InAweofGod'sCreation

Sources: The Robesonian, "College Tuition Costs On Rise," Feb. 1, 1967 and FindTheBest.

The median new home in 1963 cost $17,200. Today it is about $212,000.


Flickr / roger4336

Source: U.S. Census

A movie ticket cost 50 cents in 1962. Today it costs as much as $13.


John McNab on flickr

Source: Baby Boomer Headquarters


A child's ticket to Disneyland cost 35 cents in 1956. Today it costs $80.

[CreativeAcrobate]

A 24-pack of Budweiser cost $2.93 in 1954. Today it costs $19.99.


Flickr / Whatknot

Source: Predatory Pricing In A Market Economy


The average price of a new car in 1950 was $1,510. Today it is $30,748.


Flickr / Basic Transporter

Sources: The People History and Autoblog

A box of Corn Flakes cost 12 cents in 1945. Today a similar sized box costs $3.79.


Source: Food Timeline

The price of a Coca-Cola bottle in 1944 was 5 cents. Today a similar size bottle costs 89 cents.


Flickr / Kassie Mary

Source: Food Timeline and WSJ


A Hershey Bar sold for 5 cents in 1937. A similar size bar costs 99 cents today.


PhotosNormandie on flickr

Source: Food Timeline

The price of gas in 1923 was 21 cents per gallon. Today it averages $3.84 per gallon.


Flickr / Nordiska museet

Source: The Evening Independent, Aug. 14, 1923 and AAA

[lLianneForbess]

Joboo, most of those prices you listed (give or take) on average around a 20 times price increase.

Price of a 1964 quarter: 25 cents

Price of a 1964 quarter today: just a bit more than 20 times that, $5.50.

Amazing. This just gave me so much confidence in holding silver, I am just grateful for the opportunity to be a part of it.

What amazes me is for the first time ever all the central banks globally are printing money now like there's no tomorrow. Inflation mania.

Mathematically speaking the next 20x bump should come around a lot sooner.