Ask anyone around during the ’80s and ’90s, and they’ll likely go on and on about how much better things were back then! Despite all our technological advancements since then, many people have deep-rooted nostalgia for the simpler times of that bygone era. From the crazy fashions and great music to the old-school analog tech and the general carefree lifestyle, there’s much to miss about the ’80s and ’90s.
But that longing for decades past is more than just nostalgia talking! Many commonplace things back in the ’80s and ’90s are out-of-reach luxuries for most people today. Don’t believe us? Here are 17 examples that will have you begging for a time machine!
1. Concert Tickets
Decades ago, going to a concert to see your favorite artists was just as much of a treat as it is today. However, getting the opportunity to see music stars live was much more affordable!
Back then, even seeing music superstars cost you $20 or less. Today, you can expect to pay hundreds, if not thousands! The average price to see Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour is over $1,000 a ticket.
The music industry experienced major changes since the ’80s and ’90s, and touring is now a major money-maker for artists and labels. Unfortunately, that makes seeing concerts a rare luxury for the average music lover.
2. Appliances That Last
Modern appliances may be chock-full of great tech that offers better energy efficiency and convenience. However, cheaper materials make them last only a fraction of the time a machine built in the ’80s and ’90s would. Modern-day appliances are notoriously expendable. Even top-of-the-line coffee makers, toasters, microwaves and more may not last more than a few years.
That’s a far cry from the well-built machines of yesterday. Seriously—many durable appliances produced during that era still work today!
3. Software You Actually Own
Most of the software you buy now comes with a monthly or annual subscription. While some developers offer perpetual licenses, they come at a major cost. Furthermore, the number of developers moving away from perpetual licenses continues to grow. Now, it’s all about recurring payments.
Subscription models make things more affordable and easier to update. The downside is that you don’t really own anything. In the early days of personal and professional computing, buying a piece of software meant owning it forever.
4. Great Apartments
If you’re in the rental market, you know how insane prices are. Great apartments are available everywhere, but you must pay an arm and a leg for them.
In 2024, the average rental cost of a one-bedroom apartment in the United States is over $1,500. For most people, that’s a significant chunk of rent and isn’t too far off from what you’d pay if you owned a home with a mortgage.
In the ’80s and ’90s, you could easily get a one-bedroom place for $500 or less! It was a lot easier to make it on your own fresh out of high school. Young adults today have no choice but to live at home longer or pay ridiculous rental prices.
5. A College Education
Here’s one that hurts for many to think about. Decades ago, it was relatively easy for people to attend college without taking on a mountain of debt.
The average price of a four-year education with room and board in 1980 was about $10,000. College tuition has risen a staggering 180 percent since then. Pair that with higher rental prices and overall cost of living, and getting a college degree without debt is a rarity.
Some 70 percent of graduates leave school with student loans, and the number of them with six-figure debt is increasing!
6. Solid Wood Furniture
Notice anything different about modern furniture versus those old family heirloom pieces?
Most of the stuff you get today, even from premium brands, is cheap particle board. While it might look nice fully assembled thanks to wood veneers, modern furniture just doesn’t last.
Having solid wood pieces in your home is a huge luxury. Unfortunately, this luxury is largely a byproduct of corporate greed. DIY assembly furniture made of particle board is cheaper to produce, allowing furniture brands to maximize profits while providing lower quality.
7. Quality Clothing
Another thing that’s experienced a huge dip in quality is clothing. “Fast fashion” makes trendy clothes more accessible than ever. But at what cost? Mall brands and wholesale companies produce clothes in masse using cheap materials that don’t last. You’ll be lucky to get more than a few years of wear!
Clothing was well-made and long-lasting in the ’80s and ’90s. That’s why many items made during that era are found in thrift stores, feeding into the modern “vintage” shopping boom.
8. Friday Nights Out
Decades ago, spending Fridays and weekends going out with friends was normal. Today, you’ll be hard-pressed to find anyone who can afford to! Mall culture was huge during the ’80s and ’90s. Even if you weren’t flush with cash, you could go out for a quick bite to eat or find oddball things to do to have fun.
Now, malls are falling by the wayside. Plus, you have sky-high gas prices, ever-rising inflation that makes everything more expensive and very few things you can do on the cheap. It’s so much more affordable to just stay in!
9. Festival and Carnival Days
Festivals and carnivals are still around today but are not as common as they once were. In the past, festivals toured America, bringing fun to big cities and small towns alike. They featured tons of great food, thrilling rides and nonstop activities.
If you’re lucky enough to have a carnival visit your area today, you’ll notice that they don’t offer a great bang for your buck like they did decades ago. Now, everything is expensive, making them hardly worth your time.
10. Unrestricted Baggage
Did you know that airlines offered unrestricted checked baggage as a standard perk of your ticket? It’s hard to imagine with today’s current airline industry. You could bring luggage without worrying about weight and get complimentary meals and other great perks.
Today, airlines are the epitome of greed. Go over the standard 50-pound limit by just an ounce, and you’ll pay hundreds. Unless you’re flying long-haul international, you often must also pay for snacks.
11. Movie Dates
It’s not just concert tickets that are too expensive these days. Movie tickets are becoming inaccessible, too.
The average price of a movie ticket in the ’80s was less than $3.00. Taking the family out to watch a flick or bringing your date to the cinema was commonplace. Now, it’s far too cost-prohibitive. In addition to sky-high ticket prices, you have ridiculous prices for popcorn and other snacks.
Looking at all the costs of enjoying a movie, it’s not hard to see why the cinema industry is dying.
12. Company Pensions
Many companies in the ’80s offered private pension plans. Retirement agreements were huge back then, and getting a great job with a fantastic pension set you up for life! You could get the perks without any crazy negotiations.
Pensions fell out of favor after the ’80s, and most organizations moved to offering 401(k) plans. Some companies still offer pensions, but they’re a rarity.
13. Media Libraries
Remember when people used to own shelves of CDs and VHS tapes?
Decades ago, media collections were a huge source of pride. You could show off your collection, pick items that represent who you are and continually revisit your faves whenever you want.
You can still purchase media today, but it’s all digital, so it’s not exactly something you can show off. Furthermore, complex licensing means you don’t truly own anything you buy. For that reason, most just stick to streaming and don’t own much media at all.
14. Good Healthcare
Here’s another luxury that stings a bit. Healthcare costs are staggeringly high today. Estimates show health spending in the United States will reach almost $5 trillion by the end of 2024. Despite the widespread availability of health insurance, even getting that peace of mind costs hundreds per month for a single individual.
Compared to the ’80s and ’90s, Americans spend about six times more on healthcare today—and that’s with inflation adjustments!
15. Random Road Trips
Growing up in the ’80s or ’90s, you might remember going on frequent road trips with the family. You’d all pile into a van or station wagon for a spur-of-the-moment trip. Today, adventures like that cost way too much for most people.
Road trips are cost-prohibitive for many reasons. First, there’s the price of fuel. The average for a gallon of gas in 1980 was just $1.19. But that’s not all.
There’s also the eye-watering price of staying at budget motels. Pair all that with ticket prices to activities and excursions, and going on a road trip is a huge expense.
16. Unconnected Privacy
We live in an ever-connected world, for better or worse.
While there are big advantages to smartphones and always-on connections, true privacy and disconnected peace don’t exist anymore for most people.
If you want to get away from it all today, your only choice is to visit some remote location without cell service! People pay thousands to do just that. Decades ago, all you needed to do to enjoy privacy was leave your home and landline behind.
17. Home Ownership
Last but not least, we have the ever-controversial luxury of home ownership.
In 1980, the average price of a single-family home was, wait for it, $47,200! Can you imagine buying a house for that price today? It was pretty easy to buy a house in your 20s, start a family and build equity.
Today, it’s a luxury that most people can only dream of. In 2024, the average price of a single-family home in America is over $420,000. It’s more difficult than ever to buy a home today.
What Do You Miss Most?
Every life changed more in the last three-plus decades than most realize. We live in a completely different world than the pre-digital era of the ’80s and ’90s.
You could argue that the world is better off with smartphones and never-ending connectivity. However, many yearn for the affordability of decades gone by. While many of these previous norms are out of reach today, we can always look back at the ’80s and ’90s with a nostalgic eye and hope for a return to the good old days!
