Over the last few years, between the energy market going nuts, COVID-19, and inflation, people have become significantly more aware of just how much the cost of living is spiraling out of control. It’s a pretty common refrain, that many younger people can’t afford housing, but this has started to expand to cars and even groceries. 6park.com
So we’ve gathered some examples of what things used to cost in the US, from “cost of living” lists, to old menus and ads. From the cost of tuition at Harvard in the 1850s to McDonald's items, back when they just cost a few cents.

#1 1916 Sears Catalog Home     
  

#2 My Grandmama Just Passed Away And We Found The Hospital Bill Of When She Had My Aunt In 1957. Insurance Paid $100 So They Ended Up Paying $2.95 For Having A Baby   
  

#3 Mcdonald’s Menu From 1959   
  

#4 Cost Of Living In 1938   
  

#5 Housing Ad From 1955   
  

#6    
  

#7 Vintage Travel Ad - Hotel Las Brisas, Acapulco, Mexico - 1965   
  

#8 McDonald's Extra Value Menu 1993   
  

#9 Hospital Bill From When My Grandpa Blew Up A Stump With Homemade Tnt And Lost His Eye   
  

#10 A Woolworth’s Menu From The 1960s When They Served Food   
  

#11 The Westerner Motor Hotel   
  

#12 The Bill For A Semester At Harvard, 1869: $170.42   
  

#13 "Vacation Specials" - Steve Aloi Ford Ad [c.1970]   
  

#14 The Taco Bell Five! (1968)   
  

#15 1943 Cost Of Living   
  

#16 1947 Hospital Bill Found Out My Parents’ Attic. Not Sure Who It’s For   
  

#17 Cost Of Living 1989   
  

#18 Danish Modern Furniture Ad 1962   
  

#19 The Original Burger King Whopper In 1963   
  

#20 Cat's Meow Restaurant, Fort Lauderdale Florida, 1950s Menu   
  

#21 St. Luke Hospital - 1950s    
  

#22 Sears Men's Fashion 1960's   
  

#23 Kentucky Fried Chicken   
  

#24 Vintage New Home Advertisement, Toronto With $500 Bonus!   
  

#25 Retro Fast Food Nostalgia   
  

#26 1960's Cocktail Menu From The 'Cannibal Room' At Ren Clark's Polynesian Village In Ft. Worth, Tx   
  

#27 1959 Cost Of Living   
  

#28 1924 Cost Of Living   
  

#29 McDonald's Menu From 1925   
  

#30 Ad For Space Shoes 1962