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Cost of Living — 1986 vs. Today
How much did we spend on stuff in 1986? You might think prices always go up. And if you're a caffeine addict, you'd be right. The average cup of joe costs nine times what it did in 1986.
On the other hand, many of us aren't drinking Folger's anymore. Plus we can get one heckuva nice computer for only 60% of what we'd have paid 25 years ago.
Cost of Living Chart
1986
2011
Cup of Coffee
$0.35
$3.25
New Car
$9,255
$18,476
Average Seattle Rent
$385
$1,044
Average UW Tuition
$1,750
$8,701
Postage Stamp
$0.22
$0.44
Gasoline
$0.86
$3.88
Tandy 600/MacBook Air
$1,599
$999