Local History - 19391940 vs 2025 Grocery Prices in Cobleskill

This article continues the series by our student intern Wildert Marte on local history using examples from the Cobleskill Index in 1939 and 1940.

When I was researching food prices from 1939 and 1940 I could not believe how affordable things were back then. I expected prices to be lower but it was still shocking to see just how far a dollar could stretch. In 1940 the average family earned around $25 a week and somehow that was enough to cover rent, groceries and even some extras. Today many people make $800 to $1,000 a week which is a big increase in wages. But with how high prices are now it doesn’t feel like that extra income goes very far especially when you’re grocery shopping. 

Take bread for example. In 1940 you could buy a loaf of bread for 7 cents. Today, that same loaf will cost at least $3. Back then bread was freshly baked and sold at local bakeries or corner stores. Buying bread wasn’t something people even thought about it was just a basic staple that everyone could afford. Now you find yourself debating whether to buy the freshly baked $5 bread or stick with the cheaper mass produced one to save money. Milk is another one that really caught my attention. In 1940 a quart of milk was about 10 cents which works out to 40 cents a gallon. Today a gallon of milk costs about $4.00 Back then many families had milk delivered to their doorstep in glass bottles and it was always fresh. These days, you have to head to the supermarket and the prices feel like they just keep going up. 

Eggs were another big surprise. In 1940 a dozen eggs cost 19 cents. Today that same dozen can cost anywhere from $4 to $7 depending on what kind you buy. Eggs were a cheap and reliable source of protein back then something everyone could afford regularly. Now with the price of eggs its feels like a luxury to have them every day. 

Meat prices were some of the most surprising stuff I found doing research. In 1939 you could buy a pound of ground beef for around 15 cents while a nice steak cost about 25 cents a pound. In 2025 ground beef is around $5 to $7 per pound and steak is easily $12 to $15 a pound. Back then meat wasn’t just for special occasions. Families could have steak dinners without breaking the bank. Today you really have to think twice about adding steak to your shopping cart. Coffee was another item that stood out to me. In 1940 a pound of coffee was 17 cents. These days a pound of coffee can be anywhere from $6 to $15 depending on the brand and type. No pumpkin spice or fancy blends back then just a good cup of coffee at an affordable price. And then there fresh produce. 

In 1939 you could buy 10 pounds of onions for 15 cents and 5 pounds of cabbage for 9 cents. Today a 3-pound bag of onions costs around $3 to $4, and cabbage is about $1.50 per pound. Back in 1939 fruits and vegetables were cheap and easy to come by probably because there were more farms. Families could load up on fresh produce without worrying about how much it would cost. Now eating healthy can sometimes feel like a luxury. This shift has contributed to increasing obesity rates as many people turn to cheaper processed foods that are high in calories but low in nutrients. 

Looking at these prices made me realize just how different life was for people back in the 1930s and 1940s. Even though they earned much less the cost of food was so reasonable that a single income could support an entire family. You didn’t have to budget carefully just to buy basic groceries. In 2025 it feels like you need to plan every purchase. Grocery bills are higher and it is easy to spend $100 without even filling your cart. Looking at these prices made me realize how different life was for people back in 1940. Even though they earned less, food prices made it possible to feed an entire family without constantly having to worry about money. 

Today it feels like every grocery trip drains my wallet faster than I'd expect. I budget carefully but somehow it is never enough. I wish we lived in a world where food prices matched what people earned. It would make life feel more balanced and less stressful just a little easier for everyone.