09/26/2026
60 Years. 60 Stories. 60 Days. ❤️
Then & Now: What Did It Cost to Live in 1965?
When CAN began serving Baltimore County in 1965, a loaf of bread cost about 21¢, a gallon of milk about 95¢, and a gallon of gas about 31¢.
Looking at those numbers today, it would be easy to say, “Everything was so much cheaper back then!”
But there's more to the story.
💵 $1 in 1965 had roughly the same purchasing power as $10.22 in 2025. Once inflation is considered, some everyday necessities—like bread, milk and gasoline—have actually kept pace with inflation or become more affordable.
🏠 Housing tells a very different story.
The median price of a new home was about $20,000 in 1965—roughly $204,000 in 2025 dollars. In 2025, the median price was about $417,400.
Wages tell another part of the story. The federal minimum wage was $1.25 in 1965, equivalent to roughly $12.78 in 2025 purchasing power. In 2025, the federal minimum remained $7.25, although Maryland's minimum wage was $15.00 per hour.
So, are things simply “more expensive” today? Not across the board. But the data show that some of the expenses most closely tied to stability—particularly housing—have grown much faster than overall inflation.
And that's an important part of CAN's 60-year story.
The economic challenges facing families have changed since 1965, but the need for organizations that help people find stability, navigate difficult circumstances and move forward has remained.
The numbers have changed. The need for a helping hand remains. ❤️
For 60 years: Helping People. Changing Lives.
🎉 Join us as we celebrate CAN's 60th Anniversary
📅 Thursday, November 12
🎟️ Tickets: $60
🤝 Sponsorship opportunities available
🔗 Register through the link in our bio!
Prices shown are U.S. averages. Sources include the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Department of Labor and U.S. Energy Information Administration.
