In 1970, a Thanksgiving meal cost $8.36.
This amount represents the average total cost of a Thanksgiving dinner in its original value for that year. To put this into perspective and understand its purchasing power today, it's also helpful to consider the inflation-adjusted cost.
Here's a breakdown of the Thanksgiving meal costs around that period:
| Year | Total Meal Cost (Nominal) | Inflation-Adjusted Cost (2018 equivalent) |
|---|---|---|
| 1967 | $7.39 | $42.52 |
| 1968 | $7.68 | $42.55 |
| 1969 | $8.15 | $43.17 |
| 1970 | $8.36 | $42.31 |
The inflation-adjusted cost reflects what $8.36 from 1970 would be equivalent to in a more recent year (in this case, 2018), considering changes in the cost of living. This shows that while the nominal cost in 1970 was low by today's standards, its purchasing power was comparable to over $42 in a modern context.
