This article has been updated for 2026.
Oh, the 90s. It is one of the most fondly-remembered decades for many reasons, ranging from the music to who was president. What many people don’t realize is that 1990s prices were something to look back on in adoration as well. Check out the crazy low prices we took for granted in the 90s below.
1990s Prices
Reddit user harrisonboll posted this throwback photo revealing one of the more amazing photos of 1990s prices. Who wouldn’t love paying just $0.79 for a gallon of gas? According to the American Automobile Association (AAA) the average price per gallon in the U.S. right now is around $4.03.
The 1990s McDonald’s menu featured cheaper prices as well. A hamburger, for instance, was just $0.89. You’ll find that the same burger priced at $3.99 today. A Big Mac was just over $3, while today’s average price is between $8.39 (Source: mcds-menu.com).
During the 90s, stamps ranged in price from a quarter to $0.33. A Forever Stamp costs $0.82 today and the cost to send a 13 ounce flat rate envelope domestically is $12.95 (here).
The price of milk has skyrocketed as well. Average milk prices ranged from $0.99 to $1.99 in the 90s. Today, the average price for a gallon is $4.31.
Unsurprisingly, bread was also much cheaper in the 90s. The average price back then was $1.29 per loaf, whereas a loaf of bread may cost you $1.82 today.
Reddit user Smokinstrange91 posted this HEB receipt from 1998 showing price of many common groceries. On average in the 1990s, eggs only cost $0.86 to $1.11 for one dozen. The price has nearly quintupled since then, with the national average price of eggs sitting at $2.14 per dozen today.
The average price for a car in the 1990s was $9,437 to $13,600 in the 90s. Today, the average price for a new car sits at just over $49,855. You may not believe it, but the prices today are absurdly high even for used cars, with the average used car costing more than $26,000.
Another jaw-dropping change has been the average price for a home. In 1990, the average price set at $79,100. That number has exponentially grown to $502,700 in 2026.
Other 1990s Prices Compared to Today
- Apples – In the 1990s, apples were priced around 99 cents a pound. Today, a pound of apples will run you $1.86.
- Three cans Campbell’s Tomato Soup – Nineties canned soup prices were amazing at 3/$1.00. You’ll pay around $1.12 per can in 2026.
- Two cans of tuna – Tuna is a great food to have around if you are low on cash. It is filling and full of protein. In the 90s, a can of tuna cost about $.80, compared to between $.99 to $1.18 per can (quality depending) today.
While each of these things may have you wanting to travel back in time, it is important to also consider other positive changes that have been made. Mainly, the increase in the average income of American citizens. Although prices have gone up, average salaries have increased as well – the median salary earned by workers in the US in 2026 was $64,220.
So although looking at the past, especially at prices of the things we love; we should also be looking forward to the future. Only time will tell what’s to come. Now that’s exciting.
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Amanda Blankenship is Chief Editor at District Media, Inc., leading content strategy, quality assurance, and editorial operations across high-traffic personal finance sites like SavingAdvice.com and CleverDude.com. A Wingate University graduate with a BA in Communications (Journalism focus), she brings over a decade of experience in digital publishing, writing, and team leadership in the personal finance space.
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