The People History Home 90 Years of Price Change

1940s Cost Of Food

Below and how much food and groceries cost in the 40's

These Prices were all taken from newspaper adds around the country

Fresh Meat and Vegetables

  • Apples, Pippin, 25 cents for 2 pounds New Jersey 1946
  • Bacon Sliced 59 cents per pound Pennsylvania 1948
  • Bananas 11 cents per pound Illinois 1947
  • Beef Chuck Roast 43 cents per pound Illinois 1947
  • Cantaloupe 23 cents Pennsylvania 1948
  • Cauliflower 15 cents per head Pennsylvania 1948
  • Chicken 41 cents per pound New Jersey 1946
  • Doughnuts 15 cents per dozen New Jersey 1946
  • Eggs 64 cents per dozen New Jersey 1946
  • Flour 25 cents 5 Pound bag California 1944
  • Fresh Chickens 55 cents per pound 1948
  • Frozen peas Snow crop 19 cents Pennsylvania 1948
  • Ground beef 55 cents per pound Pennsylvania 1948
  • Lamb Chops 65 cents per pound Pennsylvania 1948
  • Large White Eggs 69 Cents per dozen Pennsylvania 1948
  • Leg O Lamb 59 cents per pound Illinois 1947
  • Loaf Marvel Enriched Bread 13 cents per loaf Illinois 1947
  • Margarine 18 Cents per Pound California 1944
  • Onions 49 cents 10 pounds Pennsylvania 1948
  • Oranges 8 1/2 cents per pound California 1944
  • Oranges 49 cents per dozen Illinois 1947
  • Perch Fillets 35 cents per pound Pennsylvania 1948
  • Pork Roast 39 Cents per pound Wisconsin 1948
  • Porterhouse Steak 69 cents per pound Illinois 1947
  • Potatoes 38 cents for 10 pounds California 1944
  • Seedless grapes 25 cents for 2 pounds Pennsylvania 1948
  • Tomatoes 29 cents per pound New Jersey 1946
  • Wieners 55 cents per pound Pennsylvania 1948

    More

    • 100 Aspirin Tablets 39 cents   Ohio    1946
    • Bleach 21 cents 1/2 gallon Pennsylvania 1948
    • Campbells Tomato Soup 25 cents for 3 cans California 1944 California
    • Chewing Gum 12 cents for 3 Pennsylvania 1948
    • Coffee 85 cents for 2 pound bag Pennsylvania 1948
    • Fruit Cocktail 38 cents per can Illinois 1947
    • Grape jam 35 cents a jar Illinois 1947
    • Heinz Cream of Tomato Soup 23 cents for 2 cans Illinois 1947
    • Ivory Soap 8 cents California 1944
    • Ivory Soap 35 cents for 2 bars Pennsylvania 1948
    • Jello 23 cents 3 pks Pennsylvania 1948
    • Kellogs Corn flakes 35 cents for 2 pks Pennsylvania 1948
    • Ketchup 19 cents Pennsylvania 1948
    • Ladies Zip Line Coats $45.00 Pennsylvania 1948
    • Morton Salt 10 cents Pennsylvania 1948
    • Plastic raincoats $4.95 Pennsylvania 1948
    • Pork and Beans 25 cents for 2 cans Pennsylvania 1948
    • Soap Powder 29 cents Pennsylvania 1948
    • Tide Soap powder 36 cents Pennsylvania 1948
    • Tooth Paste 47 cents Pennsylvania 1948
    • Vicks Vapo Rub 59 cents Illinois 1947