The 1990s: The Goldilocks Economy
Low inflation, steady growth, and a tech boom defined the 1990s. Gas was cheap, groceries stayed affordable, and the stock market surged. For many families, the 1990s were the most financially comfortable decade in memory. Inflation-adjusted car prices actually fell thanks to Japanese competition.
Decade Highlights
- Gas stayed between $1.00 and $1.23 per gallon all decade.
- The dotcom boom created enormous paper wealth.
- New car prices in real terms were the lowest they would be for decades.
What Things Cost in the 1990s
Gallon of Gas
$1.15
New Car
$12,050 - $16,200
Dozen Eggs
$1.00
Gallon of Milk
$2.78
Loaf of Bread
$0.70
Movie Ticket
$4.50
Minimum Wage
$3.80 - $5.15/hr
Median Home
~$140,000
Explore the Full Data
Dive into the year-by-year numbers for each dataset.