How much did a house cost in 1975?

The median home price in 1975 was around $39,300. BoomerPrices shows how that compares to today when adjusted for income — not just inflation.

How have gas prices changed over time?

Gas prices have fluctuated significantly since the 1970s. BoomerPrices lets you compare any two years and see how gas costs as a share of income have changed.

What is BoomerPrices?

BoomerPrices is a free data tool that compares everyday costs — housing, food, gas — across decades, adjusted for income. It uses public data from the BLS, Census Bureau, and FRED.

Were things really cheaper back then?

It depends on the item and the years. Some costs like housing take a larger share of income today, while others have stayed similar. BoomerPrices shows the data so you can decide for yourself.

Was it really cheaper back then?

The data-driven way to settle the cost-of-living debate. Compare prices, income, and buying power — then vs now.

Item

Then

Now

State

Try comparing Median Home Price from 1975 to see how affordability has shifted.

Featured Comparisons

Median Home Sale Price

1985 vs 2025

+38.5%

harder to afford

See full comparison →

Gallon of Regular Gas

1990 vs 2024

+5.9%

harder to afford

See full comparison →

Public University Tuition

1985 vs 2024

+117.3%

harder to afford

See full comparison →

How it works

Pick an item

Choose from housing, food, gas, and more everyday expenses.

Choose your years

Select a past year and a recent year to compare.

See the data

View how the cost stacks up against income — then vs now.

Data sources

All data is sourced from official U.S. government agencies and is publicly verifiable.

Bureau of Labor Statistics

Consumer Price Index (CPI) data for tracking price changes over time.

U.S. Census Bureau

Household income data for measuring real buying power.

Federal Reserve (FRED)

Economic indicators and historical financial data.