These 9 Vintage Ads From the Roaring ’20s Show How Much Prices Have Changed
Imagine walking into a store in the 1920s, plopping down a few dollars, and walking out with a phone, a men’s suit, or even a car. Sounds like a dream, right? But believe it or not, that was reality — at least until inflation and the march of time turned everything into sticker shock.
From chewing gum that cost a nickel to a good watch that would set you back a mere $1.75, prices in the Roaring ’20s were so low that they almost seem like a punchline today. Ready to be amazed at how much prices have changed? Let’s dive in.
1. A Chair for Less Than $20 at C.A. Dorney Furniture
Back in the 1920s, you could buy a mahogany rocking chair at C.A. Dorney Furniture for just $9 and a full 10-piece dining room suite for $337.50. Today, a mahogany rocking chair will set you back $200. Adjusted for inflation, those prices seem quaint, almost laughable. It’s like traveling in a time machine to an era when craftsmanship was high, but price tags were low.
2. Tailored Suits for Under $50 at Koch Brothers
Just $49.50 for a men’s suit? That’s not a markdown or clearance deal. That was the regular price in a 1920 Koch Brothers ad. For less than $50, you could walk out looking sharp, dapper, and downright presidential. The idea of suiting up for under $50 feels almost mythical now, like catching a cab for a nickel or buying a house with pocket change. We’re talking full suits, tailored and stylish, not fast-fashion knockoffs.
3. A Sparkling New Eureka Vacuum for $45
In 1922, you could buy a Eureka vacuum for $45, with just $5 down. Today, $5 dollars might get you a bottle of cleaner. And $45 for a vacuum? Most of Eureka’s vacuum cleaners cost at least twice that amount now — and their robot vacuum goes for just under $1,000!
4. Cruise Into the Sunset With an $85 Car
In 1924, you could drive off in a rebuilt or used car from Lawfer Automobile Company for just $25 down and $10 a month for six months. That’s the whole car. Today, $10 barely buys you a car wash, and six monthly payments won’t even cover your insurance. No fancy leases, no 72-month financing. Just hand over less than $100, and cruise into the sunset.
5. 12 Cents for Campbell’s Vegetable Soup
Twelve cents. That’s what a can of Campbell’s Vegetable Soup cost in 1927. These days, a can will run you $1.00 or more. Imagine walking into a store with a crumpled dollar and walking out with eight cans of soup. That wasn’t a dream; that was reality back then. It’s wild to think how a staple has multiplied in price more than tenfold.
6. Under $2 for a Nice Ingersoll Watch
In 1925, you could buy a whole watch for $1.75. This was an Ingersoll timepiece, ticking away with pride for less than $2. Even their fanciest models maxed out at $11! Want an Ingersoll wristwatch now? Today’s Ingersolls retail in the mid-hundreds, with men’s watches selling for between $400 and $700. It’s mind-blowing to think you could once walk into a store, slap down less than $2, and walk out on time and in style.
7. 5 Bucks for a Mossberg Brownie Gun
In the 1920s, you could walk away with a semiautomatic safety pocket pistol for $5. Five bucks. That’s all it took in the 1920s.
8. Stylish Westinghouse Electric Phone for Just $15
Can you believe a Western Electric telephone in the 1920s cost just $15? And this wasn’t some toy. It was a sturdy, stylish, state-of-the-art piece of tech that connected you to the world. These days, new iPhones and Androids go for $599 to $1,300 and come with monthly bills that make your wallet weep. Oh, how the dial tone days have changed!
9. Chew Wrigley’s Gum for One Cent
In the 1920s, you could grab a pack of chewing gum for a penny. What was once a simple, everyday treat now feels like a luxury for your taste buds. The only thing that hasn’t changed is that satisfying pop when you snap a fresh piece. But back then, you could buy a handful for the price of a bus ride. Now? Good luck getting more than a piece!