How much did things cost in 1850's USA?

Here's a small list of various things from 1850's (and 1840's and 1860's) and how much they cost.  I've also included a list of jobs with their respective wages/salaries so that you can see how long you would've had to work to buy a kilogram of salted beef, or a colt revolver, or a pair of boots, or the 'Mexican Cession' (New Mexico and California), or whatever.

All of the figures have been standardised to kilograms and litres for ease of comparison (nearly all of the original data was in a numerous measures including lbs, bushels, gallons, quarts, barrels etc).  The wages have also been standardised to days, weeks and years also for ease of comparison. 

The original sources for all of the data is listed on the right hand side, and the hyperlinks for these sources are at the bottom of the page.

If you want to find the cost of a particular item, like a horse or a loaf of bread, then just press 'Ctrl' and 'F' on your keyboard and type the item in question.

If you are interested in manipulating the data further (e.g. putting all of the 'coffee' data in one collumn and comparing the variation in price) then it should be relatively easy to transfer the data into a spreadsheet.

Occupational Income	Income Per:
Occupation	Day	Week	Year	Year	Location	Source

Common Labouer	$0.88	$4.40	$228.00	1851	Lake Erie Canal	[15]
Carpenter	$1.50	$7.50	$390.00	1851	Lake Erie Canal	[15]
Common Labouer	$1.00	$5.00	$260.00	1854	Lake Erie Canal	[15]
Carpenter	$1.75	$8.75	$455.80	1854	Lake Erie Canal	[15]
Laborer	$0.41	$2.05	$106.60	1821-30	Philadelphia	[16]
Laborer	$0.43	$2.15	$111.74	1821-30	Philadelphia	[16]
Laborer	$0.44	$2.20	$114.60	1841-50	Brandywine	[16]
Laborer	$0.40	$2.00	$104.00	1841-50	Maryland	[16]
Laborer	$0.50	$2.50	$130.00	1841-50	Massachussetts	[16]
Laborer	$0.53	$2.63	$136.80	1841-50	Maryland	[16]
Trapper	$11.54	$57.69	$3,000.00	1831	Utah	[17]
Trapper	$1.15	$5.77	$300.00	1840	Utah	[17]
Unspecified general labour	$1.92	$9.62	$500.00	1840	Utah	[17]
Unskilled Laborer	$0.75	$3.75	$195.00	1840's	n/a	[18]
Shirtmaker (Paid for each shirt made, female)	$0.18	$0.90	$46.80	1833	New York	[18]
Railroad Contractor (Irish)	$0.55	$2.75	$143.00	1851-1852	New York	[18]
Pony Station Rider [with board and room]	$2.31	$11.54	$600.00	1860	California	[1]
Gold Miner	$10.00	$50.00	$2,600.00	1860	California	[2]

The Union Army:
Private [Up to 20 June 64]	$0.60	$3.00	$156.00	1860's	n/a	[19]
Private [from June 1864]	$0.74	$3.69	$192.00	1860's	n/a	[19]
Corporal [Union NCOs were paid at a similar rate to Confederacy NCOs]	$0.60	$3.00	$156.00	1860's	n/a	[19]
'Buck' Sergeants [Union NCOs were paid at a similar rate to Confederacy NCOs]	$0.78	$3.92	$204.00	1860's	n/a	[19]
First Sergeants [Union NCOs were paid at a similar rate to Confederacy NCOs]	$0.92	$4.62	$240.00	1860's	n/a	[19]
Engineer Sergeants [Union NCOs were paid at a similar rate to Confederacy NCOs]	$1.57	$7.85	$408.00	1860's	n/a	[19]
First Lieutenant	$4.87	$24.35	$1,266.00	1860's	n/a	[19]
Second Lieutenant	$4.87	$24.35	$1,266.00	1860's	n/a	[19]
Captain	$5.33	$26.62	$1,386.00	1860's	n/a	[19]
Staff Officer	$5.56	$27.81	$1,446.00	1860's	n/a	[19]
Major	$7.80	$39.00	$2,028.00	1860's	n/a	[19]
Lieutenant Colonel	$8.35	$41.77	$2,172.00	1860's	n/a	[19]
Colonel	$9.78	$48.92	$2,544.00	1860's	n/a	[19]
One star General	$14.54	$72.69	$3,780.00	1860's	n/a	[19]
Two star General	$21.09	$105.46	$5,484.00	1860's	n/a	[19]
Three star general	$34.98	$174.92	$9,096.00	1860's	n/a	[19]
The Confederate Army:
Private [Up to June 1864]	$0.51	$2.54	$132.00	1860's	n/a	[19]
Private [from June 1864]	$0.83	$4.15	$216.00	1860's	n/a	[19]
Corporal	$0.60	$3.00	$156.00	1860's	n/a	[19]
'Buck' Sergeants	$0.78	$3.92	$204.00	1860's	n/a	[19]
First Sergeants	$0.92	$4.62	$240.00	1860's	n/a	[19]
Engineer Sergeants	$1.57	$7.85	$408.00	1860's	n/a	[19]
Colonel (infantry)	$9.00	$45.00	$2,340.00	1860's	n/a	[19]
Colonel (artillery, engineer, cavalry)	$9.69	$48.46	$2,520.00	1860's	n/a	[19]
Brigadier General (1 star General)	$13.89	$69.46	$3,612.00	1860's	n/a	[19]

Commodities:		Cost per X Units: [1], [2]
Item	Unit of Measure	1 Unit	1000 Units	Year	Location	Source
Coffee	Kilogram	$0.40	$396.48	1853	Texas	[1]
Beans	Litre	$0.09	$92.45	1853	Texas	[1]
Flour	Kilogram	$0.11	$110.13	1853	Texas	[1]
Hard Bread	Kilogram	$0.22	$220.26	1853	Texas	[1]
Rice	Kilogram	$0.22	$220.26	1853	Texas	[1]
Bacon	Kilogram	$0.33	$330.40	1853	Texas	[1]
Fresh Beef	Kilogram	$0.11	$110.13	1853	Texas	[1]
Pork	Kilogram	$0.24	$242.29	1853	Texas	[1]
Salt Beef	Kilogram	$0.20	$198.24	1853	Texas	[1]
Sugar	Kilogram	$0.18	$176.21	1853	Texas	[1]
Vinegar	Litre	$0.06	$55.03	1853	Texas	[1]
Coffee	Kilogram	$0.44	$440.53	1861	Wisconsin	[1]
Tea	Kilogram	$1.65	$1,651.98	1861	Wisconsin	[1]
Butter	Kilogram	$0.40	$396.48	1861	Wisconsin	[1]
Cheese	Kilogram	$0.31	$308.37	1861	Wisconsin	[1]
Eggs	Each	$0.02	$15.00	1861	Wisconsin	[1]
Lard	Kilogram	$0.26	$264.32	1861	Wisconsin	[1]
Cranberries	Litre	$0.11	$105.66	1861	Wisconsin	[1]
Currants	Kilogram	$0.26	$264.32	1861	Wisconsin	[1]
Dried apples	Kilogram	$0.20	$198.24	1861	Wisconsin	[1]
Dried peaches	Kilogram	$0.44	$440.53	1861	Wisconsin	[1]
Hubbard squash	Kilogram	$0.02	$22.03	1861	Wisconsin	[1]
Lemons	Each	$0.03	$30.00	1861	Wisconsin	[1]
Potatoes	Kilogram	$0.01	$8.44	1861	Wisconsin	[1]
Raisins	Kilogram	$0.44	$440.53	1861	Wisconsin	[1]
Squashes	Each	$0.03	$30.00	1861	Wisconsin	[1]
Sweet potatoes	Kilogram	$0.07	$73.42	1861	Wisconsin	[1]
Barley	Kilogram	$0.01	$9.91	1861	Wisconsin	[1]
Bran & shorts	Kilogram	$0.01	$13.22	1861	Wisconsin	[1]
Corn meal	Kilogram	$0.04	$44.05	1861	Wisconsin	[1]
Indian corn in cobb	Kilogram	$0.01	$5.51	1861	Wisconsin	[1]
Indian corn, shelled	Kilogram	$0.01	$7.71	1861	Wisconsin	[1]
Oats	Kilogram	$0.00	$4.41	1861	Wisconsin	[1]
Rye	Kilogram	$0.01	$9.91	1861	Wisconsin	[1]
Rye flour	Kilogram	$0.05	$49.56	1861	Wisconsin	[1]
Wheat	Kilogram	$0.01	$14.32	1861	Wisconsin	[1]
Wheat flour	Kilogram	$0.05	$52.86	1861	Wisconsin	[1]
Beef	Kilogram	$0.07	$66.08	1861	Wisconsin	[1]
Codfish	Kilogram	$0.13	$132.16	1861	Wisconsin	[1]
Hams	Kilogram	$0.31	$308.37	1861	Wisconsin	[1]
Hobs	Kilogram	$0.13	$132.16	1861	Wisconsin	[1]
Lake Michigan trout	Kilogram	$0.18	$176.21	1861	Wisconsin	[1]
Lambs	Kilogram	$0.05	$51.76	1861	Wisconsin	[1]
Veal calves (6 weeks old)	Kilogram	$0.07	$66.08	1861	Wisconsin	[1]
Brown sugar	Kilogram	$0.20	$198.24	1861	Wisconsin	[1]
Common salt	Kilogram	$0.06	$60.57	1861	Wisconsin	[1]
Honey	Kilogram	$0.55	$550.66	1861	Wisconsin	[1]
Molasses	Litre	$0.11	$110.06	1861	Wisconsin	[1]
Vinegar (cider)	Litre	$0.06	$55.03	1861	Wisconsin	[1]
White sugar	Kilogram	$0.31	$308.37	1861	Wisconsin	[1]
Cheese	Kilogram	$3.30	$3,303.96	1849	California	[2]
Flour	Kilogram	$1.10	$1,101.32	1849	California	[2]
Fresh beef	Kilogram	$0.77	$770.93	1849	California	[2]
Pork	Kilogram	$1.65	$1,651.98	1849	California	[2]
Sugar	Kilogram	$1.10	$1,101.32	1849	California	[2]
Brick	Each	$0.08	$80.00	1849	California	[2]
Lumber	Each	$0.15	$150.00	1849	California	[2]
Coffee	Kilogram	$0.35	$352.42	1849	California	[2]
Teas	Kilogram	$2.20	$2,202.64	1849	California	[2]
Butter	Kilogram	$2.20	$2,202.64	1849	California	[2]
Cheese	Kilogram	$2.20	$2,202.64	1849	California	[2]
Flour	Kilogram	$0.40	$396.48	1849	California	[2]
Rice	Kilogram	$0.22	$220.26	1849	California	[2]
Fresh Pork	Kilogram	$0.55	$550.66	1849	California	[2]
Ham	Kilogram	$2.20	$2,202.64	1849	California	[2]
Blankets	Each	$100.00	$100,000.00	1849	California	[2]
Boots	Pair	$25.00	$25,000.00	1849	California	[2]
Shoes	Pair	$12.00	$12,000.00	1849	California	[2]
Coffee	Kilogram	$0.73	$726.87	1849	California	[2]
Beans	Kilogram	$0.44	$440.53	1849	California	[2]
Potatoes	Kilogram	$0.31	$308.37	1849	California	[2]
Flour	Kilogram	$0.88	$881.06	1849	California	[2]
Rice	Kilogram	$0.66	$660.79	1849	California	[2]
Sugar	Kilogram	$0.66	$660.79	1849	California	[2]
Flour	Kilogram	$0.66	$660.79	1849	California	[2]
Beef	Kilogram	$1.65	$1,651.98	1849	California	[2]
Salt Pork	Kilogram	$1.65	$1,651.98	1849	California	[2]
Molasses	Litre	$0.88	$880.50	1849	California	[2]
Sugar	Kilogram	$1.10	$1,101.32	1849	California	[2]
Mining Cradles	Each	$60.00	$6,000.00	1849	California	[2]
Mining Pans	Each	$8.00	$8,000.00	1849	California	[2]
Mules	Each	$150.00	$150,000.00	1849	California	[2]
Oxen	Each	$150.00	$150,000.00	1849	California	[2]
Wagons	Each	$80.00	$80,000.00	1849	California	[2]
Mocassins	Pair	$1.00	$1,000.00	1849	Utah	[3]
Butter	Kilogram	$0.44	$440.53	1849	Utah	[3]
Cheese	Kilogram	$0.55	$550.66	1849	Utah	[3]
Milk	Litre	$0.09	$88.05	1849	Utah	[3]
Potatoes	Kilogram	$0.04	$36.71	1849	Utah	[3]
Flour	Kilogram	$0.04	$44.05	1849	Utah	[3]
Beef	Kilogram	$0.22	$220.26	1849	Utah	[3]
Sugar	Kilogram	$1.10	$1,101.32	1849	Utah	[3]
Hay	Kilogram	$0.04	$44.05	1850	n/a	[4]
Hemp	Kilogram	$0.11	$110.13	1850	n/a	[4]
Hops	Kilogram	$0.22	$220.26	1850	n/a	[4]
Flax	Kilogram	$0.33	$330.40	1850	n/a	[4]
Maple Syrup	Kilogram	$0.18	$176.21	1850	n/a	[4]
Tobacco	Kilogram	$0.22	$220.26	1850	n/a	[4]
Wool	Kilogram	$0.77	$770.93	1850	n/a	[4]
Butter and Cheese	Kilogram	$0.33	$330.40	1850	n/a	[4]
Beeswax and Honey	Kilogram	$0.33	$330.40	1850	n/a	[4]
Cotton	Kilogram	$0.18	$176.21	1850	n/a	[4]
Rice	Kilogram	$0.09	$88.16	1850	n/a	[4]
Rum	Litre	$0.17	$170.00	1833	n/a	[5]
Beef	Kilogram	$0.07	$66.00	1847	n/a	[5]
Butter	Kilogram	$0.38	$380.00	1848	n/a	[5]
Whisky	Litre	$0.08	$80.00	1848	n/a	[5]
Sugar	Kilogram	$0.19	$190.00	1850	n/a	[5]
Pork	Kilogram	$0.13	$130.00	1850	n/a	[5]
Bacon	Kilogram	$0.20	$200.00	1850	n/a	[5]
Blanket (serape)	Each	$80.00	$80,000.00	1849	California	[6]
Handkerchief	Each	$1.08	$1,080.00	1849	California	[6]
Flannel Shirt	Each	$8.00	$8,000.00	1849	California	[6]
Blankets (bed)	Each	$25.00	$25,000.00	1849	California	[6]
Boots	Pair	$24.00	$24,000.00	1849	California	[6]
Uniform Jacket	Each	$32.00	$32,000.00	1849	California	[6]
Thread	Kilogram	$2.25	$2,250.00	1849	California	[6]
Trousers	Each	$18.00	$18,000.00	1849	California	[6]
Tin of Crackers	Each	$8.50	$8,500.00	1849	California	[6]
Box of Chocolates	Each	$40.00	$40,000.00	1849	California	[6]
Tea Set	Each	$24.00	$24,000.00	1849	California	[6]
Tobacco	Kilogram	$0.06	$60.57	1846	Kentucky	[7]
Feathers	Kilogram	$0.55	$550.66	1846	Kentucky	[7]
Cured Meat	Kilogram	$0.13	$132.16	1846	Kentucky	[7]
Eggs	Each	$0.01	$5.00	1846	Kentucky	[7]
Whisky	Litre	$0.08	$83.63	1846	Kentucky	[7]
Sugar	Kilogram	$0.22	$220.26	1846	Kentucky	[7]
Coffee	Kilogram	$0.28	$275.33	1846	Kentucky	[7]
Pepper	Kilogram	$0.57	$572.69	1846	Kentucky	[7]
Coffee	Kilogram	$0.28	$275.33	1846	Kentucky	[7]
Fine Tooth Comb	Each	$0.15	$150.00	1846	Kentucky	[7]
Tuck Comb	Each	$0.17	$170.00	1846	Kentucky	[7]
Candles	Kilogram	$0.28	$275.33	1846	Kentucky	[7]
Tallow	Kilogram	$0.14	$139.50	1846	Kentucky	[7]
Ball of Candle Wick	Each	$0.13	$130.00	1846	Kentucky	[7]
Candle Molds	Pair	$0.87	$870.00	1846	Kentucky	[7]
Whisky	Litre	$0.08	$83.63	1846	Kentucky	[7]
Whisky	Litre	$0.04	$44.01	1846	Kentucky	[7]
Whisky Barrel (Empty)	Each	$0.50	$500.00	1846	Kentucky	[7]
Pelts	Kilogram	$13.22	$13,215.86	1831	Utah	[8]
Pelts	Kilogram	$4.41	$4,405.29	1840	Utah	[8]
Colt Revolver	Each	$10.00	$10,000.00	1847	n/a	[9]
Colt Revolver (Retail Price)	Each	$25.00	$25,000.00	1861	Missouri	[10]
Springfield Model 1861 Rifle	Each	$20.00	$20,000.00	1861	n/a	[11]
Springfield Model 1861 Rifle (Manufacturing cost at the official armory)	Each	$12.00	$12,000.00	1861	n/a	[12]
Springfield Model 1861 Rifle (Manufacturing cost at private armories)	Each	$14.00	$14,000.00		n/a	[12]
Gatling Gun	Each	$1,000.00	$1,000,000.00	1864	n/a	[12]
Slave ('in the prime of his life')	Each	$1,600.00		1859	Georgia	[14]
Slave (mean average price at the auction)	Each	$708.28		1859	Georgia	[14]
Slave (injured)	Each	$300.00		1859	Georgia	[14]
Slave	Each	$400.00		1850	Southern States	[4]
Slave ('Prime Field Hand')	Each	$1,800.00		1860	Southern States	[12]
Horse	Each	$120		1861	n/a	[12]
Horse	Each	$185		1865	n/a	[12]
Restaurant Food
Item	Unit	Cost		Year	Location	Source
Cup of chocolate (hot chocolate)	Each	$0.05		1850's	California	[1]
Mammoth glass of Mason Celebrated Beer	Each	$0.05		1850's	California	[1]
Clam chowder	Each	$0.05		1850's	California	[1]
Hot oatmeal mush	Each	$0.10		1850's	California	[1]
Beefsteak and onions, with fried potatoes	Each	$0.10		1850's	California	[1]
Boiled mutton with oyster sauce	Each	$0.10		1850's	California	[1]
Chicken pot pie	Each	$0.20		1850's	California	[1]
Pig's feet, soused or in batter	Each	$0.10		1850's	California	[1]
Porterhouse steak	Each	$0.25		1850's	California	[1]
Roast beef with lima beans	Each	$0.10		1850's	California	[1]
Roast turkey and currant jelly	Each	$0.25		1850's	California	[1]
Stewed mutton with bread, butter and potatoes	Each	$0.05		1850's	California	[1]
Baked Apples	Each	$0.05		1850's	California	[1]
Buckwheat cakes with honey	Each	$0.05		1850's	California	[1]
Stewed prunes	Each	$0.05		1850's	California	[1]
Ale (bottle)	Each	$2.00		1850's	California	[1]
Champagne (bottle)	Each	$5.00		1850's	California	[1]
Champagne cider (bottle)	Each	$2.00		1850's	California	[1]
Claret (bottle)	Each	$2.00		1850's	California	[1]
Old Madeira (bottle)	Each	$4.00		1850's	California	[1]
Pale sherry (bottle)	Each	$3.00		1850's	California	[1]
Baked sweet potatotes	Each	$0.50		1850's	California	[1]
Boiled Irish Potatoes	Each	$0.50		1850's	California	[1]
Cabbage	Each	$0.50		1850's	California	[1]
Cheese	Each	$0.75		1850's	California	[1]
Ox tail soup	Each	$1.00		1850's	California	[1]
Squash	Each	$0.50		1850's	California	[1]
Baked trout, white and anchovy sauce	Each	$1.50		1850's	California	[1]
Beef stewed with onions	Each	$1.25		1850's	California	[1]
Curried sausages	Each	$1.00		1850's	California	[1]
Pork & apple sauce	Each	$1.25		1850's	California	[1]
Roast beef, Stuffled lamb or mutton	Each	$1.00		1850's	California	[1]
Stewed Kidney, Sauce de Champagne	Each	$1.25		1850's	California	[1]
Tenderloin lamb, green peas	Each	$1.25		1850's	California	[1]
Apple Pie	Each	$0.75		1850's	California	[1]
Brandy peach pastry	Each	$2.00		1850's	California	[1]
Bread pudding	Each	$0.75		1850's	California	[1]
Jelly Omelette	Each	$2.00		1850's	California	[1]
Mince Pie	Each	$0.75		1850's	California	[1]
Rum Omelette	Each	$2.00		1850's	California	[1]
Stewed Prunes	Each	$0.75		1850's	California	[1]

Sources:

[1]   http://www.foodtimeline.org/foodpioneer.html

[2]   http://www.kidport.com/Reflib/UsaHistory/CalGoldRush/lifeof49er.htm

[3]   http://historytogo.utah.gov/utah_chapters/pioneers_and_cowboys/index.html

[4]   http://docsouth.unc.edu/nc/helper/helper.html [page 65]

[5]   http://gpih.ucdavis.edu/files/Maryland_1752-1856.xls

[6]   http://www.road-kill-cafe.com/forbestown/faq.html

[7]   http://www.nkyviews.com/owen/text/store_ledger.html

[8]      http://historytogo.utah.gov/utah_chapters/trappers,_traders,_and_explorers/traderstrappersandmountianmen.html

[9]   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Colt

[10]  http://www.civilwarhome.com/potpourr.htm

[11]  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Springfield_Model_1861

[12]  http://www.civilwarhome.com/potpourr.htm

[14]  http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/slaveauction.htm

[15]  http://facweb.furman.edu/~benson/docs/wage4570.htm

[16]  http://gpih.ucdavis.edu/files/Maryland_1752-1856.xls

[17]      http://historytogo.utah.gov/utah_chapters/trappers,_traders,_and_explorers/traderstrappersandmountianmen.html

[18]  http://www.yale.edu/ynhti/curriculum/units/1990/5/90.05.07.x.html

[19]  www.civilwarhome.com

Footnotes:

Footnote 1:

The metrics from the orginal source data has been standardised for the sake of uniformity, and to allow like for like comparison between items.

lbs are taken as 0.454kg; pints as 0.568 litres; gallons as 4.546 litres; bushels are taken as 36.368 litres; quarts are taken as 1.136 litres;

Footnote 2:

Many of the prices in the source data gave a price range, marked by a low figure and a high figure.

If that is the case, then the figures given in this listing are of the higher figure, the higher possible price.

Footnote 3:

As the source data only provided income for one period of time (either day, week, month or year), that piece of information has been listed.  If the income data provided by the orginial source was in months, then it has been multipled by 12 to give the income per year, and then divided by 52 to give the income per week, and then 5 to give the income per day.  This works out to 260 working days per year.

[End.]