18 Photos of Middle-Class Life in the ’70s vs. Today
The American middle class used to move at a slower pace — kids pedaling through the neighborhood until sunset, leisurely lunches, and clothes swaying on backyard lines. But the heartbeat of middle-class life has sped up over the decades, and now pulses with hustle, convenience, and a lot more pressure. What was once affordable, handmade, and time-rich has shifted toward packaged, outsourced, and go-go-go.
Here’s what a typical middle-class life looked like in the 1970s compared to today.
Hanging the Clothes Out to Dry …
Everything used to go out on the line. It saved on electricity and was just as efficient as it needed to be.
… Is Now Mostly Obsolete
Clotheslines are pretty obsolete these days, even among middle-class families trying to save money. The constant hustle of trying to stay in a good financial spot has the entire class pressed for time, and folks find it easier to just push a button rather than pin clothes up one by one.
Cozy Family Breakfasts …
The middle class wasn’t under as much pressure in the 1970s. You could get by on one income comfortably back then, meaning you could also sit down in the morning as a family and enjoy breakfast.
… Are a Little More on the Fly These Days
Most of the middle class now has two working family members in order to make enough money to remain comfortable, so mornings are a little busier and breakfast goes a bit faster. Some days are just a Poptart on your way out the door.
Bike Riding With Buddies …
When kids got together during the 1970s, it was for a bike ride or a baseball game with other neighborhood kids. You came home when the street lights told you to.
… Has Been Overridden by Video Games
Kids in today’s middle-class America can’t seem to get off the couch or out from behind their cell phones.
Summertime Lunch Staples …
Hot dogs and cold sodas or lemonades ruled summertime lunches in the 1970s because they were cheap and convenient.
… Have Been Taken Over by the Uncrustable
These days, middle-class families lean further into Uncrustables and Lunchables — convenient grab-and-go options that require no preparation on their end.
Family Time in the Garden …
In the ’70s, middle-class families worked together to tend to their backyard garden, growing fruits and vegetables before baking, preserving, and freezing their harvests.
… Has Been Made More Convenient by Containers
Nowadays, middle-class families who still have a garden typically lean on containers to cut back on the chore of pulling weeds. They make harvesting more accessible too, so it’s not as much of a family affair anymore.
Hustling Through the Neighborhood …
If you were a 13-year-old boy in the 1970s, chances are you had a paper route or were mowing your neighbors’ lawns for some extra pocket change.
… Still Happens!
While lots of kids live off of their allowances or birthday money these days, there are still plenty of hardworking kiddos who pound the pavement around their house to mow lawns, wash cars, or do other odds and ends for extra cash.
Those Funky Brown and Yellow Patterns …
Just about every middle-class family’s kitchen in the 1970s had floral wallpaper and a brown, orange, and yellow color scheme. There was something about it they couldn’t resist.
… Have Been Replaced By Basic Palettes
If you’re middle class today, you might lean into a simpler, bare-bones approach to your kitchen appliances, cabinets, and decor.
Family Time at the Dinner Table …
The 1970s. When everyone was home in time for dinner and we all sat together to talk about how our days were.
… Is Now the Perfect Place To Argue
2025. When middle-class families stress over bills and argue over finances and busy schedules at the dinner table.
Camping With a Roof …
Camping in style wasn’t reserved for the elite during the 1970s, and plenty of middle-class families took to the woods with campers and travel trailers for some quality family time.
… Is Reserved for Those With More Money
Unless you buy the same campers folks used in the 1970s, if you’re part of the middle class now, you’re probably pitching a tent instead of hooking up a fifth wheel that costs more than a house did 50 years ago.
For a deeper look into middle-class life, don’t miss 10 Retro Photos of the Middle-Class American Dream and 11 Signs You Grew Up in a Middle-Class Household. You should also check out 10 Middle-Class Cars That Defined the American Family and 9 Things That Once Defined Middle-Class Success. And if you’re interested in what defines middle class today, take a look at Here’s What a Middle-Class Salary Looks Like in Every State.