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1960s Grocery Ads Show Lower Nominals, Same Paycheck Share.

7/13/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Vintage 1960s grocery ads show prices that appear lower than current U.S. grocery costs.
Adjusted for inflation, a 1966 sirloin steak at 78 cents per pound equals about $7.95 today, while pot roast, lamb and grapefruit remain more expensive than now.
Reddit commenters noted that average workers earned $2-$3 an hour in the 1960s, meaning grocery spending represented a similar paycheck share then as now.

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Story summary

Vintage 1960s grocery ads show prices that appear lower than current U.S. grocery costs.
Adjusted for inflation, a 1966 sirloin steak at 78 cents per pound equals about $7.95 today, while pot roast, lamb and grapefruit remain more expensive than now.
Reddit commenters noted that average workers earned $2-$3 an hour in the 1960s, meaning grocery spending represented a similar paycheck share then as now.