Prices and Wages by Decade: 1870-1879
Links to government documents and primary sources listing retail prices for products and services, as well as wages for common occupations.
Wages in the United States, 1870-1879
- Unskilled occupations - Average wages, 1840-1891Shows average daily wage earnings for laborers, yard hands, watchmen, teamsters, quarrymen, coal-heavers, helpers, unskilled factory operatives, without any geographic breakouts. Source: Journal of political economy, Jun 1905.
- Average daily wages - US, Britain, France and Belgium, 1870-1898Very simple table compares average wages for each year from 1870-1898. Source: U.S. Dept of Labor Bulletin #18 (Sep 1898).
Wages by sex, 1870-1879
- Women's wages by occupation - Philadelphia, 1870-1871Source: Pennsylvania Bureau of Statistics of Labor and Agriculture, 1st Annual report, p. 439.
Girls in boot & shoe factories might earn $1 per day in 1870 - Servants (female) - Wages by state, 1870The highest pay was in Montana at $50/month. The lowest was in North Carolina at $5 per month. Source: Special Report on Immigration, U.S. Dept of Treasury, Bureau of Statistics, pp. 216-217.
- Professional women's salaries, 1870Lists typical earnings for women physicians, nurses, telegraphers, journalists, typesetters, saleswomen, teachers and engravers. Source: Harper's bazaar, Oct 8, 1870, p. 647.
Wages by occupation, 1870-1879
A
- Astronomers on expedition for U.S. Northern Boundary Commission, 1873
B
- Blacksmiths, BLS Bulletin no. 499, pp. 276-277
- Boiler makers, BLS Bulletin no. 499, pg. 284
- Botanist on expedition for U.S. Northern Boundary Commission, 1873
- Bricklayers, BLS Bulletin no. 499, pp. 154-155
C
-
Cabinet makers, BLS Bulletin no. 499, pp. 455-456
Cooper making a barrel. See coopers' pay - Carpenters, BLS Bulletin no. 499, pg. 161
- Clothing manufacture (dressmakers and sewing machine operators), BLS Bulletin no. 499, pg. 219-221.
- Coal miners, BLS Bulletin no. 499, pp. 330-331
- Congressional salaries, 1789-present
- Core makers, BLS Bulletin no. 499, pg. 289
- Coopers, BLS Bulletin no. 499, pg. 460
- Cotton and woolen mill wages by occupation, 1869-1874
Source: Labor in Europe and America, pp. 750-753
D-E
- Drivers, coal mines, BLS Bulletin no. 499, pg. 328
- Engineers, stationary, BLS Bulletin no. 499, pp. 171-172
- Farm labor - Average wages by state, 1866-1909
Tables 11-13 show average wages with and without board. Table 17 shows average wages per day without board, and Table 18 shows the daily wages with board. Section titled "Extras Received by Laborers" explains the prevalence and value of non-monetary benefits paid to farm laborers, such as the use of a house or dwelling and garden plot, firewood for heat, stable and pasture for the worker's horse or cow, laundry service, occasional use of a buggy or a team for hauling, and one meal per day, pp. 49-52. Starting on page 53, there is discussion of the purchasing power of farm wages over the years. - Farm wages by state, 1860-1874
In Labor in Europe and America, pp. 739-744 (Source) - Farm laborer earnings by state and territory, 1870
Shows daily and monthly wages with and without board, in winter and in summer. Source: Special report on immigration, a U.S. Bureau of Statistics publication, pp. 216-217. - Farm laborer monthly earnings, 1870
Part of a larger table with data from 1818-1948. Read the explanation and historical context. - Farm labor, 1841-1899
Source: History of wages in the U.S. from colonial times to 1928. - Farm labor wages - 1875 and 1879
This source shows the national average for daily and monthly wages of hired farm labor, with board or without, at harvest or at other times. Source: 1922 Statistical Abstract of the U.S., table #209. - Farm wages in Vermont, 1780-1937
Shows wages for each year from 1780-1937. Source: Table 26 in Vermont Agricultural Experiment Station report. - Federal cabinet and supreme court justices salaries, 1876
n Annual Statistician, p. 63 (source). - Firemen, stationary in BLS Bulletin #604, p. 175.
- Furnace keepers, in BLS Bulletin #604, pp. 247-248.
G
- Glass and clay products - Wages for glass blowers, potters, turners, etc.
- Grocers in New Hampshire - Serial Set #3074 pt. 3, pp. 893-894.
H-I
- Hod carriers wages in BLS Bulletin #604, pp. 179-180
- Horseshoer wages in BLS Bulletin #604, pg. 293
- Iron miners wages in BLS Bulletin #604, pg. 333
- Iron molders wages in BLS Bulletin #604, pp. 311-312
- Iron rolling mills and foundries job wages by occupation and state, 1874
In Labor in Europe and America, pp. 758-764 (source).
L
- Laborers wages in BLS Bulletin #604, pp. 255-256
- Lathe hands, pg. 297
- Leather products - Wages for shoemakers, lasters, tanners, etc.
- Loaders, coal mines, pg. 329
M
- Machinists, pp. 299-301
- Manufacturing wages, 1850s-1870s.
Source: 10th U.S. Census, Serial Set vol. 2150. - Marble cutters, pg. 187
- Mechanical labor by state, 1860-1874
In Labor in Europe and America, pp. 745-748 (source) - Military - Navy officer pay chart, 1870
- Millwrights, pp. 308-309
- Navy officer pay chart, 1870
- Painters wages in U.S. BLS Bulletin #604, p. 196
- Pattern makers wages in U.S. BLS Bulletin #604, pp. 319-320
- Plasterers wages in U.S. BLS Bulletin #604, p. 202
- Plumbers wages in U.S. BLS Bulletin #604, p. 206
- Printing and publishing wages in U.S. BLS Bulletin #604:
- Bookbinders, p. 337
- Compositors, p. 348-349
- Pressmen, pp. 355-356
- Press feeders, p. 340-341
- Proof readers, p. 345
- Stereotypers, p. 360
- Railroad workers' wages in BLS Bulletin #606:
- Brakemen, pp. 430-431
- Conductors, freight, pg. 435
- Conductors, passenger, pp. 432-433
- Engineers, locomotive, pp. 437-438
- Firemen, locomotive, pg. 441
- Railroad wages by occupation and state, 1874-1875 in Labor in Europe and America, pp. 785-789
- Roofers wages in U.S. Commissioner of Labor 15th ann. rept., pt. 2, p. 1223.
- Sawyers wages in BLS Bulletin #604, p. 465
- Stone cutters, pp. 211-212
- Stone masons, pp. 189-190
- Surgeons on expedition with U.S. Northern Boundary Commission, 1873
Note: We have access to teacher salaries and wages for nearly every state. If you would like a certain state added to this list, simply send us a request.
-
All states and territories - Teacher salaries compared, 1877
Nevada, Arizona and DC teachers had the highest salaries in 1877
Shows breakouts by sex. Source, pp. xix-xx. - Teacher salaries in selected cities, 1840-1891, Aldrich report part 4, pp. 1573-1581.
- California - Average statewide teacher wages, 1871-1873
- California - Teacher wages by county and sex, 1872 and 1873
- Illinois school teacher pay by sex, 1855-1874
Shows the high, low and average pay received by school teachers in each year from 1855-1874. Source: Illinois Public Instruction, 11th biennial report. - Massachusetts teachers wages - 1876
The average monthly wage was $82.22 for male teachers and $34.20 for females. Source: Massachusetts Board of Education. - Minnesota - Average teacher wages by sex, 1872
- Texas - Average salaries of white professional school personnel, 1872-1953
T
- Teamsters wages in BLS Bulletin #604, pp. 448-449
- Textiles - Cloth manufacturing job wages, 1842-1900
For doffers, dyers, loom fixers, spinners, weavers, frame tenders and more. - Textiles - Hosiery and underwear manufacture, 1842-1900
Wages for knitters of hosiery and underwear, weavers and winders of silk goods, dressers and dyers of woolen and worsted goods, loom fixers, spinners, wool sorters - Timbermen in mines - Wages in BLS Bulletin #604, p. 335.
- Tobacco product manufacture, 1860-1900
Wages for cigar makers, tobacco stemmers and strippers -
Tool and die makers, pg. 326
Man making spokes for wagon wheels, 1874
U
- U.S. State and territorial governor salaries, 1876
Source: Annual Statistician, p.71. - U.S. Government and military official salaries, 1874
Arranged by agency. Source: United States register, or blue book, pp. 26-75. Additional years are available.
V
- Veterinary surgeons in fed. govt. - annual salaries in 1877 Official register of the U.S., p. 211
W
- Woodworkers, pg.469
- Wages for hundreds of occupations by state - 1870Lists wages for apothecaries, book binders, bakers, barbers, brick makers, cooks, dressmakers, fishermen, florists, gardeners, grave diggers, hatters, jewelers, leather tanners, locksmiths, nurses, plumbers, watch makers, distillery workers, ship builders, seamen, deck hands, shepherds, tailors, waiters, factory workers making carriages, pianos and organs and much more than can be listed here. Wages for jobs in cotton mills, woolen mills and paper mills, iron foundries and machine shops which could include carpenters, engineers, blacksmiths, firemen as well as spinners, dyers, etc. Lists wages by state and territory for certain mechanical occupations. Wage tables extend from p. 201-223 so be sure to scroll forward in the volume. Source: Information for Immigrants, published 1871.
- Daily wages by city in the United States and Europe, 1870-1898Lists daily wages for blacksmiths, bricklayers, cabinet makers, carpenters, railroad conductors, railroad engineers, street laborers, machinists, house painters, stone masons, teamsters, plumbers, and more, in 12 major U.S. cities, plus an overall average. Wage data tables for cities in Great Britain, France and Belgium begin on page 683. Source: Bulletin of the U.S. Dept of Labor, #18, (1898)
- Monthly wages by occupation, 1840-1891 (not averaged)Reports monthly wages paid to individual employees at selected establishments in the northeast U.S. Industries covered: agricultural implement manufacture (MA), ale, beer and porter (NY), book and newspaper publishers (CT, NY, MD), building trades (CT, MD, MA, NJ, NY, PA, RI), railroad car and ship building (DE), wagon and carriage manufacture (NY), city public works (MA, NY, PA) and cotton milling (MA). Source: 1893 report of the U.S. Congressional Committee on Finance titled "Wholesale prices, wages and transportation."
- Massachusetts - Wages by occupation, 1860-1897Average weekly wages by occupation in 1860, 1872, 1878, 1881 and 1897. Source: Mass. Bureau of Statistics of Labor 28th Annual report, pp. 4-12.
Wages by state, 1870-1879
CALIFORNIA
See tabs above for additional states
- Wages by occupation - San Francisco, 1874Shows wages for 150 occupations. Source: U.S. Bureau of Statistics report, pp. 47-48.
- Health officer salary - Los Angeles, 1873-1876Source: History of the medical profession of southern California, pub. 1910.
- Railroad employee wages - California, 1878Shows wages paid by Central & Southern Pacific RR for various occupations. Source: California Board of RR Commissioners, report for 1880-1882, p. 631.
- Chinese wage rates by occupation - California, 1877This 1,200-page report contains hundreds of examples of wage rates paid to Chinese as compared to the white race. Source: Congressional Report: Committee to investigate Chinese immigration (Feb 1877).
CONNECTICUT
See tabs above for additional states
- Connecticut (New Haven) city employee salaries, 1873-1921This series of Municipal Year Books from New Haven, show salaries for police, firemen, school teachers, principals, building inspectors, clerks and other jobs in city government.
COLORADO
- Wages by occupation and price of living in Colorado, 1872Lists typical wages for the most common occupations as well as the prices of food and building materials and the cost to rent. Source: Colorado Territorial Board of Immigration Statement of Facts, pp. 33-34.
- Wages in Leadville, CO, 1879The gold rush in this vicinity inflated both prices and wages. Source: To the Rockies and beyond... by Strahorn (1879), p. 216.
DELAWARE
- Teacher salaries by sex - Delaware, 1877Shows average monthly salaries for teachers in and outside of the city of Wilmington. Source: 3rd annual report, Superintendent of Free Schools, p. 8.
ILLINOIS
- School teacher pay by sex - Illinois, 1855-1874Source: 11th Biennial report of the Illinois Superintendent of Public Instruction, p. 456.
- Railroad wages in 7 states - 1874Shows the weekly wages for various occupations for railroad companies in Maine, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, and Missouri. The general average wages are also included. Source: 3rd AR of the Secretary of Internal Affairs of Pennsylvania
MASSACHUSETTS
- Unskilled labor wages - Massachusetts, 1873Detailed breakouts by occupation, without board. Also tells the number of hours per week typically worked.
- Massachusetts - Wages by occupation, 1860-1897Average weekly wages by occupation in 1860, 1872, 1878, 1881 and 1897. Source: Mass. Bureau of Statistics of Labor 28th Annual report, pp. 4-12.
- Railroad wages in 7 states - 1874Shows the weekly wages for various occupations for railroad companies in Maine, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, and Missouri. The general average wages are also included. Source: 3rd AR of the Secretary of Internal Affairs of Pennsylvania
MISSOURI
- Farm labor wages in Missouri, 1866-1930Shows average farm labor wage in Missouri with and without board, during harvest time or at other times. Source: Missouri State Dept of Agriculture.
- Kansas City MO wages for common occupations, late 1870sThis report from the Missouri Immigration Society showed average wages paid to bookkeepers, bartenders, teamsters, laborers, plasterers, painters, carpenters, bricklayers, stone masons, dry goods clerks, clothing house clerks, grocery clerks and drug store clerks. Published in 1880, it probably drew from 1870s data. This is not a government document.
- Railroad wages in 7 states - 1874Shows the weekly wages for various occupations for railroad companies in Maine, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, and Missouri. The general average wages are also included. Source: 3rd AR of the Secretary of Internal Affairs of Pennsylvania
MONTANA
- Wages in Montana Territory, ca.1878Shows typical wages for 34 occupations. Source: To the Rockies and beyond... by Strahorn (1879), p. 196.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
- New Hampshire wages and board, 1871The 1872 Report of Commissioners on Bureau of Labor Statistics to the [New Hampshire] Legislature is an incredibly rich source of wages. It contains employment statistics gathered by circulars sent to manufacturers and employees in 1871:
- Manufacturers - Paper manufactures on pages 64-66, cotton on pages 67-68, woolen on pages 69-73 (wages and board on page 72), and other types of manufacturing on pages 73-83.
- Employees -- Responses on pages 86-93 came from a blacksmith, shoemaker, watchman, a woolen mill hand, cabinet maker, machinists, common laborer, flannel manufacturer, flannel weaver, clerks in grocery stores, wool sorters, spinner, spinner and carder, and a stationary engineer.
- Farm laborer wages in 1871.
NORTH CAROLINA
- Black men and women's wages in North Carolina, 1877A letter written by formerly enslaved people lists their low wages as one reason why they wanted to move to Kansas ( as part of the southern exodusters). Congressional hearing To investigate the causes of the removal of the Negroes from the southern states to the northern states, Part I, p. 90. The majority report for this hearing indicated that overall, "the average rate of wages [for former slaves]... was from eight to fifteen dollars per month, including board, and house to live in, garden and truck patches around the house, firewood, and certain other privileges, all rent free." The minority report however stated that the majority report was inaccurate because committee had not heard from a representative sample of the southern Black population.
NEW YORK
- New York wages by occupation, 1870Lists average wages for 73 different occupations in the 1870 Annual report of the New York Commissioners of Emigration, pp. 100-102.
- New York City women's wages by occupation, 1870Shows weekly pay and hours worked per day for women employed as tailoresses, seamstresses, operators, cloak makers, dressmakers, lace makers, hat makers, shoe fitters, glove sewers, and more. These figures were collected by a journalist and published in the New York Tribune on Feb 26, 1870 and later quoted in a federal report.
- Hotel employee salaries in NYC, 1877Shows salaries of the head cook, head waiter, servants and attendants at the Fifth Avenue Hotel in NYC. Source: Frank Leslie's popular monthly, June 1877, p. 721, column 2.
- Government employees' pay by agency and occupation - NYC, 1873Salaries and wages for individuals employed in corrections and social services agencies. Source: City record, July 15, 1873.
OHIO
- Industrial wages in Ohio, 1878This table shows the weekly wages and earnings of skilled and unskilled men as well as boys in various industrial and manufacturing jobs across Ohio. Source: 5 Annual Report of the State Mine Inspector, pp. 63-66
PENNSYLVANIA
See box below.
RHODE ISLAND
- Teacher wages by town - Rhode Island, 1870Source: 1st Annual report, Rhode Island Board of Education (1870) p. 10.
- Teacher wages by sex and town - Rhode Island, 1875Source: 6th Annual report, Rhode Island Board of Education (1875), p. 198.
WYOMING
- Wages and prices in Wyoming, ca. 1876Shows typical earnings for salesmen, men in building trades, ranch hands and herders. Also lists prices for common items to indicate the cost of living. Source: Hand-Book of Wyoming and Guide to the Black Hills and Big Horn Regions (1877) p. 158.
- Wages in Cheyenne, ca. 1878"Wages average about as follows: carpenters, $2.75 per day; bricklayers, $4; plasterers, $3; salesmen, $75 to $125 per month; laborers $25 per month with board." Source: To the Rockies and beyond... by Strahorn (1879).
Wages in Pennsylvania by occupation and industry, 1870s
- Wages by industry - Pennsylvania, 1870 and 1874Shows wages of workers in agriculture, building professions, shoemakers, wheelwrights, cotton mill workers, iron works and more. Source: Pennsylvania Secretary of Internal Affairs
- Average daily wage - Pennsylvania, 1875-1881Shows wages for coal mining, blast furnace, and bloomary occupations. Source: Pennsylvania Secretary of Internal Affairs, 9th annual report.
- Wages by industry - Pennsylvania, 1860-1874Shows average wages in farming, mechanical labor, cotton mills, iron-rolling mills, foundries and machine shops. Source: Internal Affairs of Penn., 3rd annual report, pp. 118-120.
- Agricultural wages - Pennsylvania, 1877-1882Shows seasonal earnings of farm hands without board. Source: 6th Annual report of the Pennsylvania Board of Agriculture, pp. 25-27.
- Agricultural wages - Philadelphia, 1845-1884Shows the daily wages of farm labor in and around Philadelphia. Source: 8th Annual report of the Penn. State Board of Agriculture, see 2-page graph following page 112.
- Iron and steel mill wages - Pennsylvania, 1873-1881Page 161 details the daily wages of various occupations in rolling mills across western and eastern Pennsylvania. Source: 9th AR of the Secretary of Internal Affairs of Pennsylvania
- Glass manufacturing wages, 1879-1884Includes window, flint, and green glass. Source: 12th Annual report of the Penn. Secretary of Internal Affairs, p. 36.
- Lumber manufacturing jobs - Pennsylvania, 1879Wages of sawyers, setters, filers, lathers, etc. Source: Bureau of Internal Affairs of Pennsylvania, pp. 249-255.
- Manufacturing wages - Pennsylvania, 1874Wages in cotton goods, iron works, lumber, printing, and other industries. Source: Bureau of Statistics of Pennsylvania 2nd annual report, pp. 483-504.
- Mill wages - Pennsylvania, 1870-1890Employee wages at a mill which produced, among other products, rugs, ingrains, and body-brussells. Source: 17th Annual report of the Penn. Secretary of Internal Affairs.
- Mining wages - Pennsylvania, 1875-1877This table shows the daily wages of various occupations in Pennsylvania mines. Pages 114-117 also compare these wages to those in both Ohio and Great Britain. Source: 4th Annual Report of the State Mine Inspector
- Railroad wages by occupation in seven states - 1874Shows wage averages for railroad occupations in MN, MA, PA, IL, IN, KY and MO. Includes engineers, firemen, conductors, baggage masters, machinists, boiler makers, painters and more. Source: Penn. Secretary of Internal Affairs, 3rd Annual report.
- Railroad wages by occupation - Pennsylvania, 1874Includes engineers, conductors, laborers, and other railroad employees. Source: Penn. Bureau of Statistics 2nd Annual report, pp. 509-510.
- Store staff wages - Pennsylvania, 1874Includes book-keepers, accountants, clerks, and salespeople with breakouts for skill-level or experience. Source: Penn. Bureau of Statistics 2nd Annual report, pp. 507-508.
- Textile mill wages - Pennsylvania, 1869-1874Table 3 shows the average weekly wages of various occupation in cotton and textile mills within 5 different departments in Pennsylvania. Some observations note that part or all of the observed workers are either children or female. Source: 3rd AR of the Secretary of Internal Affairs of Pennsylvania, pg. 119
Foreign wages by country, then occupation - 1870-1879
Wages in ENGLAND, 1870s
- England - Wages, prices and cost of living, 1870sCovers Birmingham, Bradford, Bristol, Cheshire and North Wales, Falmouth, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Nottingham, and Sheffield. Source: State of Labor in Europe: Reports from the U.S. Consuls... (1878)
- Great Britain - Weekly farm wages, 1850-1899Lists average weekly cash wages of ordinary labor on 33 farms in England and Wales (source).
- Wages in London and Manchester, 1870-1898Compares wages to average rates paid in Boston, Glasgow, Paris and Liege. Source: Massachusetts Labor Bulletin no. 9, pp. 1-3.
- Wages by industry and occupation - United Kingdom, 1871Covers dress-making, breweries, tobacco and cigar manufacturing, iron ship-building, sailors, and more. Note that when the tables refer to "Metropolis", it is referencing London. Source: Labor in Europe and America, pp. 246-278
Wages throughout AFRICA, 1870s
- Wages in Ottoman Africa, 1873This table shows the daily and monthly wages of skilled workmen, farm laborers, and other labor categories in Tunis, Tunisia and Tripoli, Libya (both of which were under Ottoman control). Source: Labor in Europe and America, pg. 735
Wages in AUSTRALIA, 1870s
- Australia (Melbourne) Wages ca. 1873Wages expressed in pounds, shillings and pence for agricultural laborers, shepherds, masons, bricklayers, carpenters, blacksmiths, cooks, grooms, gardeners, laundresses, maids, nursemaids, household servants, ocean seamen, and more. Source: 1873 edition of the Victorian year-book, an Australian government publication, page 25.
- Australia, Melbourne - Wages, 1878Lists wages in pounds, shillings and pence for the above occupations and also for workers employed in printing and publishing, watchmakers, jewelers, tinsmiths, ironworkers, plumbers, gasfitters, carriage makers, painters, saddlers, workers on boats, ship carpenters, cabinet makers, coopers, tailors, milliners, dressmakers, boot makers, hatters, carpet salesmen, butchers, bakers, teamsters, tanners, brickmakers, miners, engineers, legal managers in mining industry, and more, begins at the bottom of page 398.
Wages in AUSTRIA, 1870s
- Wages by occupation - Austria, 1870-1873Pages 597-598 show the daily and yearly earnings of laborer within various industries in Upper Austria and Trieste in 1870 and 1873. Source: Labor in Europe and America, pp. 597-598
Wages in BELGIUM, 1870s
- Belgium - Wages, prices and cost of living, 1870sAlso shows figures and discussion for Ghent. Source: U.S. federal document State of Labor in Europe: Reports from the United States Consuls... (1878)
- Wages by occupation and country, 1870-1898Shows the comparative daily wages for workers in 18 different occupations in Boston, London, Paris, Liege, and other locations throughout the US and UK. Source: Massachusetts Labor Bulletin no. 9 pp. 1-3
- Wages in Antwerp, 1872This table shows the average weekly wages of workers in 41 different occupations in Antwerp, Belgium. Source: Labor in Europe and America, pp. 661
Wages in CANADA, 1870s
- Wages by occupation - Canada, 1873-1874This two-page table shows the average daily wage rate for mechanical and manufacturing labor in multiple Canadian provinces. Source: Labor in Europe and America, pp. 828-829
- Farm labor wages - Canada, 1873This table shows the average wages for farm labor in multiple Canadian provinces. Observations are classified by experience, season, and inclusion of board. Source: Labor in Europe and America, pg. 833
- Chinese immigrants and wages, 1877This nearly 1,300-page congressional report includes hundreds of statements regarding wages to Chinese immigrants. The best way to find them is to use the Search in this text box for the word wages. Source: Report of the joint special committee to investigate Chinese immigration, February 27, 1877.
Wages in DENMARK, 1870s
- Wages, prices and cost of living in Denmark, 1870sThe U.S. federal document State of Labor in Europe: Reports from the United States Consuls... provides data and discussion.
- Wages in Denmark, 1873Shows the daily and monthly wages of farm laborers and skilled workmen in Elsinore, Denmark. Daily wages are categories with and without board. Source: Labor in Europe and America, pg. 704
Wages in FRANCE, 1870s
- France - Wages, prices and cost of living, 1870sThe U.S. federal document State of Labor in Europe: Reports from the United States Consuls... provides data and discussion for these areas in France:
- Wages for various Paris building trades, 1806-1900Shows the hourly rates of wages for masons, carpenters, excavators, and more building trades in Paris during 1806, 1852, 1873, and 1900. Wages shown in US cents with the conversion to Francs in the chart above. Source: State of New York, Department of Labor Bulletin v.6, pg. 329
- France, Lyons - Wages, 1870 to 1896Lists wages for occupations such as blacksmiths, bricklayers, cabinet makers, carpenters, street laborers, machinists, house painters, stone cutters, teamsters, and more. Source: U.S. BLS Bulletin no. 22, published May 1899.
- Wages by occupation and country, 1870-1898Shows the comparative daily wages for workers in 18 different occupations in Boston, London, Paris, Liege, and other locations throughout the US and UK. Source: Massachusetts Labor Bulletin no. 9 pp. 1-3
- France - Salaries and wages by occupation, 1878Shows salaries just in Paris as well. Source: Annuaire Statistique, vol. I, pp. 383-388. Note, this table is in the French language.
Wages in GERMANY, 1870s
- Germany - Wages, prices and the cost of living, 1870sThe U.S. federal document State of Labor in Europe: Reports from the United States Consuls... provides data and discussion for these areas in Germany:
- Manufacturing wages by decade - Wurtemberg, 1830-1872The two tables on pg. 544 show the daily wages of factory workers and mechanics respectively from 1830-1872. A total average is also shown for labor in the city of Stuttgart specifically. Source: Labor in Europe and America, pg. 544
- Agricultural wages - Germany, 1874Pages 549-551 show the average daily wages of farm hands in summer, in winter, and over the entire year. Observations are classified by German province and district. Source: Labor in Europe and America, pp. 549-551
- Rate of wages in Germany - 1872The table spanning pages 501-508 states the weekly wages paid to men, women, and children in various manufacturing establishments throughout 8 provinces of Germany. Source: Labor in Europe and America, pp. 501-508
Wages in GREECE, 1870s
- Wages by occupation - Greece, 1873This table shows the wage rate for mechanical and farm labor in Athens and Piraeus as well as Syra. Source: Labor in Europe and America, pg. 638
Wages in INDIA, 1870s
- India - Wages by place and occupation, 1873-1890Shows wages in rupees by provinces and districts for every year from 1873-1890 for occupations such as agricultural laborer, mason, carpenter, horse-keeper and blacksmith. Scroll forward; this is a multi-page table.
Wages in IRELAND, 1870s
- Farm labor wages by county - Ireland, 1870Shows wages of Irish farm hands with and without board in US dollars. Source: Labor in Europe and America, p. 359.
- Ireland - Farm labor wages by county, 1870Easy-to-read table shows weekly or daily wages, with and without food. Source: USDA Monthly Report, July 1870, p. 290.
- Ireland - Farm laborer wages, 1850 and 1870Article in the Royal Statistical Society Journal (p 153-157) reprinted Irish farm laborer wages as they were reported in the Pall Mall Gazette. Page 156 shows prices of food and other items commonly needed by laborers.
- Ireland - Wages, prices and cost of living, 1870sSee detail for Belfast, Cork and Londonderry. Source: U.S. federal document State of Labor in Europe: Reports from the United States Consuls... (1878).
- Wages by occupation and industry - Ireland, 1873This table shows the average wages of mechanists, farm hands, and others in Waterford, Cork, and Londonderry. Source: Labor in Europe and America, pg. 360
Wages in ITALY, 1870s
- Wages in Italy, 1872-1873Pages 629-630 show the wages of various occupations in Milan in 1872 and in 5 large, Italian cities in 1873. Both tables contain wages for men and women. Source: Labor in Europe and America, pp. 629-630
Wages in the NETHERLANDS, 1870s
- Wages in the Netherlands, 1872The chapter on the Netherlands details the average wages for various occupations and demographics in North Holland, Amsterdam, and Rotterdam. Source: Labor in Europe and America, pp. 709-713
Wages in SCOTLAND, 1870s
- Scotland - Wages, prices and cost of living, 1870sSource: U.S. federal document State of Labor in Europe: Reports from the United States Consuls... (1878). See additional detail for the following areas:
Wages in SWITZERLAND, 1870s
- Switzerland - Wages, prices and cost of living, 1870sSource: U.S. federal document State of Labor in Europe: Reports from the United States Consuls... (1878).
- Wages by industry and occupation - Switzerland, 1873Pages 615-618 detail the wages of laborers in various occupations in St. Gall, Valais, Geneva, Appenzell, and Berne. Source: Labor in Europe and America, pp. 615-618
Wages in SPAIN, 1870s
Wages in SWEDEN, 1870s
- Sweden - Farming wages for male and female workers, 1866-1900Shows average yearly salaries (besides room and board) for servants, the value of tenement laborers entire pay (including wages and provisions), summer and winter wages per day, and the wages earned in 300 days in Sweden for the years 1866-1900. Figures shown are in Kronor, but conversion rates for shillings and dollars are included. Source: Sweden: its people and its industry; historical and statistical handbook published by order of the government, Stockholm, 1904.
- Daily wages by occupation - Sweden, 1873Pages 676-680 show the average daily wages of various occupations throughout Sweden. Wages are shown in both contemporary Swedish and American currency. Source: Labor in Europe and America, pp. 676-680
Wages in WALES, 1870s
- Wales - Wages, prices and the cost of living, 1870sSource: U.S. federal document State of Labor in Europe: Reports from the United States Consuls... (1878).
Wages in MULTIPLE COUNTRIES, 1870s
- Daily wages by occupation for selected European cities, 1870-1898Lists average daily wages (in dollars) for common occupations in London, Manchester, Glasgow, Paris France and Liege Belgium.
- Wages by occupation and place, 1870s-1880sShows average wage for occupations beginning with the letters H, I, J, K, L, M, N and O. each year and each place, whether it be an American state or European country. Source: 28th Annual Report, U.S. Bureau of Statistics of Labor (1898).
- Wages in European countries, 1878Includes concise table showing wages (in dollars) for selected occupations in various countries, compared to the U.S. Source: State of Labor in Europe, 1878: Reports from the United States Consuls...," pp. 30-31.
- European countries - Average daily wages in Britain, France and Belgium - 1870-1898Very simple table compares average wages in the US, Great Britain, Paris France and Liege Belgium for each year from 1870-1898. Source: Bulletin of the Department of Labor, Sep 1898.
- Wages and cost of living in foreign countries, early 1870sSource: British publication titled "Further reports from Her Majesty's diplomatic and consular agents abroad respecting the condition of the industrial classes and the purchase power of money in foreign countries," published in London, 1872. Use the Table of Contents to find page numbers for each country report.
- United Kingdom - Wages, 1810-1886Extensive, 437-page government report indicates detailed wages by occupation in many locations throughout the UK. Wages are reported in British currency.
- Average daily wages by country, 1870-1896This table shows the average daily wages shown in US gold dollars of five different occupations in the US, UK, Paris, Lyon, and Liege over a 27 year period. Source: Bulletin of the US BLS no. 38, pp. 124-216
Foreign wages by occupation (A-Z), then country - 1870s
Shows average daily wages for males and females by occupation, state and country. Source: A Compilation of wages in commercial countries from official sources, Volume I and Volume II. Issued as the 15th Annual Report of the U.S. Commissioner of Labor (1900).
- Boat builders (1866-1897)
- Boatmen (1854-1898)
- Boatswains (1870-1900)
- Bobbin boys (1833-1896)
- Boiler makers (1839-1900)
- Boiler maker foremen (1844-1898)
- Boilermen (1840-1897)
- Book bindery occupations:
- Bookkeepers (1855-1899)
- Boot and shoe making occupations:
- Bottlers (1874-1900)
- Box nailers (1851-1896)
Shows average daily wages for males and females by occupation, state and country. Source: A Compilation of wages in commercial countries from official sources, Volume I and Volume II. Issued as the 15th Annual Report of the U.S. Commissioner of Labor (1900).
- Brass finishers (1839-1898)
- Brass founders (1839-1899)
- Brass molders (1839-1900)
- Brass workers (1845-1898)
- Brewers (1840-1898)
- Brewery drivers (1855-1900)
- Brewery foremen, not-specified (1857-1898)
- Brick makers (1840-1898)
- Bricklayers (1725-1900)
- Bricklayer foremen (1859-1896)
- Bridge builders (1875-1898)
- Broom makers (1872-1898)
- Brush makers (1860-1900)
- Butchers (1839-1899)
- Butlers (1873-1898)
- Buttonhole makers, clothing (1872-1899)
- Button cutters (1830-1900)
Shows average daily wages for males and females by occupation, state and country. Source: A Compilation of wages in commercial countries from official sources, Volume I and Volume II. Issued as the 15th Annual Report of the U.S. Commissioner of Labor (1900).
- Cabinet makers (1810-1900)
- Cabinet makers foremen (1873-1898)
- Cabs, carriages, etc drives (1871-1898)
- Calkers (1856-1897)
- Candle makers (1852-1897)
- Candy making
- Canned goods packers (1851-1898)
- Card grinders (1832-1900)
- Card strippers (1839-1896)
- Carpenters and joiners (1735-1900)
- Carpenter foremen (1854-1900)
- Carpeting weavers (1845-1899)
- Car Repairers (1860-1900)
- Carriage and wagon making
- Cash boys and cash girls (1871-1899)
- Cashiers (1850-1899)
Shows average daily wages for males and females by occupation, state and country. Source: A Compilation of wages in commercial countries from official sources, Volume I and Volume II. Issued as the 15th Annual Report of the U.S. Commissioner of Labor (1900).
- Clay and pottery product manufacture
- Clerks (1843-1899)
- Cloak makers (1863-1898)
- Clock makers (1872-1893)
- Clothing manufacture
- Cloth inspectors (1850-1896)
- Coat makers (1839-1898)
- Corset makers (1835-1899)
- Cutters (1840-1900)
- Dressmakers (1851-1898)
- Examiners (1855-1898)
- Finishers (1874-1898)
- Foremen, not-specified (1871-1898)
- Forewomen, not-specified (1870-1898)
- Pants makers (1839-1898)
- Pressers (1870-1900)
- Seamstresses (1836-1898)
- Sewing machine operators (1861-1900)
- Shirt makers (1860-1898)
- Tailors (1725-1898)
- Vest makers (1853-1899)
Shows average daily wages for males and females by occupation, state and country. Source: A Compilation of wages in commercial countries from official sources, Volume I and Volume II. Issued as the 15th Annual Report of the U.S. Commissioner of Labor (1900).
- Coach makers (1821-1899)
- Coachmen (1869-1898)
- Coal occupations
- Coffee and spice grinders (1861-1898)
- Coffee roasters (1869-1896)
- Coffin and casket makers (1859-1897)
- Collectors (1857-1896)
- Comb makers (1850-1898)
- Compositors (1833-1900)
- Compositors foremen (1846-1898)
- Cooks (1852-1899)
- Coopers (1725-1900)
- Coopers foremen (1870-1898)
- Copper engravers (1839-1896)
- Coppersmiths (1821-1899)
- Core makers (1840-1900)
- Cranemen (1872-1899)
- Cutlers (1840-1898)
Shows average daily wages for males and females by occupation, state and country. Source: A Compilation of wages in commercial countries from official sources, Volume I and Volume II. Issued as the 15th Annual Report of the U.S. Commissioner of Labor (1900).
- Dairy hands (1768-1898)
- Delivery wagon drivers (1841-1899)
- Dishwashers (1872-1896)
- Distillers (1840-1899)
- Dock hands (1815-1899)
- Doffers (1839-1900)
- Door, slash, and blind makers (1839-1898)
- Draftsmen (1848-1899)
- Drawing-frame tenders (1833-1899)
- Draymen (1850-1898)
- Dressmakers (1851-1898)
- Drugs and chemicals foremen (1840-1898)
- Drugs and chemicals packers (1863-1897)
- Dyeing-room hands (1845-1896)
- Dyers foremen (1839-1900)
Shows average daily wages for males and females by occupation, state and country. Source: A Compilation of wages in commercial countries from official sources, Volume I and Volume II. Issued as the 15th Annual Report of the U.S. Commissioner of Labor (1900).
- Electricians (1878-1900)
- Electrotypers (1867-1900)
- Elevator hands (1864-1897)
- Embroiderers (1853-1898)
- Engine cleaners (1870-1898)
- Engine fitters (1857-1898)
- Engine wipes (1872-1899)
- Engineers, railroad locomotive (1840-1900)
- Engineers, stationary (1824-1900)
- Engravers (1840-1898)
- Errand boys (1861-1899)
- Etchers (1879-1898)
Shows average daily wages for males and females by occupation, state and country. Source: A Compilation of wages in commercial countries from official sources, Volume I and Volume II. Issued as the 15th Annual Report of the U.S. Commissioner of Labor (1900).
- Factory sweepers (1847-1898)
- Farm laborers (1725-1899)
- File cutters (1832-1898)
- Filers (1840-1900)
- Filling carriers (1850-1897)
- Fishermen (1869-1899)
- Flax, hemp and jute manufacture
- Flour millers (1725-1899)
- Flour mill foremen, not-specified (1868-1898)
- Foundry and machine shop occupations
- Freight handlers (1876-1898)
- Fur sewers (1871-1898)
- Furniture and mill product joiners (1850-1898)
- Furniture making
- Furriers (1860-1898)
Shows average daily wages for males and females by occupation, state and country. Source: A Compilation of wages in commercial countries from official sources, Volume I and Volume II. Issued as the 15th Annual Report of the U.S. Commissioner of Labor (1900).
- Gas fitters (1840-1900)
- Gas makers (1830-1899)
- Gas purifiers (1863-1896)
- Gas works foremen, not-specified (1849-1898)
- Glass blowers, bottles (1841-1898)
- Glass blowers, not-specified (1841-1898)
- Glass blowers, window glass (1841-1898)
- Glass cutters (1860-1898)
- Glass flatteners (1860-1898)
- Glass foremen, not specified (1869-1898)
- Glass grinders (1868-1898)
- Glass packers (1860-1898)
- Glass pot makers (1871-1898)
- Glaziers (1839-1899)
- Glove makers (1841-1898)
- Gold and silver engravers (1850-1897)
- Gold and silver polishers (1840-1898)
- Goldsmiths (1846-1897)
- Granite cutters (1855-1900)
- Gunsmiths (1857-1896)
Shows average daily wages for males and females by occupation, state and country. Source: A Compilation of wages in commercial countries from official sources, Volume I and Volume II. Issued as the 15th Annual Report of the U.S. Commissioner of Labor (1900).
- Hair dressers (1853-1898)
- Hammer men (1847-1899)
- Harness and saddle makers (1840-1899)
- Harness and saddle makers foremen (1860-1898)
- Harvest hands (1725-1898)
- Hat makers (1839-1898)
- Hat and cap finishers (1810-1900)
- Hat and cap sewers (1839-1898)
- Hat and cap trimmers (1839-1900)
- Herders (1839-1897)
- Hod carriers (1789-1900)
- Horseshoers (1839-1900)
- Hosiery and knit goods finishers (1861-1899)
- Hostlers (1851-1900)
- Housekeepers (1876-1899)
- Housemaids (1850-1899)
Shows average daily wages for males and females by occupation, state and country. Source: A Compilation of wages in commercial countries from official sources, Volume I and Volume II. Issued as the 15th Annual Report of the U.S. Commissioner of Labor (1900).
- Illuminating gas firemen (1840-1898)
- Iron, pig
- Iron and steel occupations
- Bundlers (1849-1899)
- Catchers (1840-1899)
- Chippers (1860-1900)
- Cupola tenders (1850-1898)
- Door hands (1850-1892)
- Dragouts (1843-1899)
- Dressers (1841-1899)
- Finishers (1874-1899)
- Foremen, not-specified (1872-1899)
- Melters (1798-1899)
- Product cutters (1842-1898)
- Product forgers (1835-1899)
- Products riveters (1860-1899)
- Rollers (1840-1899)
- Roughers (1843-1899)
- Shear men (1866-1899)
- Stockers (1844-1899)
- Straighteners (1840-1899)
- Weighers (1825-1899)
- Iron founders (1810-1899)
- Iron mining drillers (1840-1891)
- Iron molder foremen (1853-1898)
- Iron workers (1866-1898)
- Iron miners (1840-1899)
- Iron molders (1839-1900)
Shows average daily wages for males and females by occupation, state and country. Source: A Compilation of wages in commercial countries from official sources, Volume I and Volume II. Issued as the 15th Annual Report of the U.S. Commissioner of Labor (1900).
- Labelers (1851-1898)
- Laborers (1725-1900)
- Laborers foremen (1854-1899)
- Lace makers (1853-1899)
- Lacquerers (1840-1896)
- Lamp tenders (1861-1899)
- Lamplighters (1855-1898)
- Laundry occupations
- Leather occupations
- Linemen (1875-1900)
- Lithographers (1849-1898)
- Lithographing pressmen (1863-1898)
- Locksmiths (1840-1898)
- Locomotive, mine, and factory yard engineers (1861-1899)
- Longshoremen (1859-1898)
- Loom fixers (1839-1900)
- Lumber and lumber products sawyers (1810-1900)
- Lumber foremen, not-specified (1863-1898)
- Lumbermen (1858-1895)
Shows average daily wages for males and females by occupation, state and country. Source: A Compilation of wages in commercial countries from official sources, Volume I and Volume II. Issued as the 15th Annual Report of the U.S. Commissioner of Labor (1900).
Shows average daily wages for males and females by occupation, state and country. Source: A Compilation of wages in commercial countries from official sources, Volume I and Volume II. Issued as the 15th Annual Report of the U.S. Commissioner of Labor (1900).
- Milliners (1853-1899)
- Millwrights (1834-1899)
- Mine bosses (1873-1899)
- Mines and factory yards brakemen (1841-1900)
- Mining occupations
- Mining occupations, coal
- Mining occupations, iron
Shows average daily wages for males and females by occupation, state and country. Source: A Compilation of wages in commercial countries from official sources, Volume I and Volume II. Issued as the 15th Annual Report of the U.S. Commissioner of Labor (1900).
- Painters (1810-1900)
- Painter foremen (1854-1898)
- Paper hangers (1839-1900)
- Paper product occupations
- Pattern makers (1839-1900)
- Pavers (1840-1898)
Shows average daily wages for males and females by occupation, state and country. Source: A Compilation of wages in commercial countries from official sources, Volume I and Volume II. Issued as the 15th Annual Report of the U.S. Commissioner of Labor (1900).
- Porters (1828-1899)
- Potters (1840-1898)
- Prescription clerks (1840-1897)
- Printing and publishing occupations
- Proof readers (1840-1900)
- Puddlers (1837-1899)
- Pumpmen (1871-1899)
Shows average daily wages for males and females by occupation, state and country. Source: A Compilation of wages in commercial countries from official sources, Volume I and Volume II. Issued as the 15th Annual Report of the U.S. Commissioner of Labor (1900).
- Rag sorters (1858-1899)
- Retort men (1839-1895)
- Riggers (1856-1900)
- Riveting holders-on (1857-1899)
- Rolling mill heaters (1837-1899)
- Rolling mills hookers-up (1863-1899)
- Rope and twine foremen (1868-1898)
- Roofers (1810-1900)
- Rope makers (1853-1897)
- Roving carriers (1853-1897)
- Roving frame-tenders (1850-1897)
Shows average daily wages for males and females by occupation, state and country. Source: A Compilation of wages in commercial countries from official sources, Volume I and Volume II. Issued as the 15th Annual Report of the U.S. Commissioner of Labor (1900).
- Railroad occupations
- Baggagemen (1840-1900)
- Brakemen (1840-1900)
- Conductors, not-specified (1850-1900)
- Dispatchers (1875-1898)
- Flagmen (1875-1898)
- Foremen, not-specified (1870-1899)
- Freight conductors (1840-1900)
- Locomotive engineers (1840-1900)
- Locomotive firemen (1840-1900)
- Messengers (1877-1899)
- Oilers (1870-1898)
- Passenger conductors (1840-1900)
- Section men (1850-1900)
- Section foremen (1875-1900)
- Signalmen (1850-1900)
- Station agents (1850-1899)
- Station masters (1850-1899)
- Railroad car occupations
- Railway street conductors (1871-1900)
Shows average daily wages for males and females by occupation, state and country. Source: A Compilation of wages in commercial countries from official sources, Volume I and Volume II. Issued as the 15th Annual Report of the U.S. Commissioner of Labor (1900).
- Shepherds (1843-1896)
- Ship building occupations
- Ship carpenters (1812-1900)
- Shippers (1861-1899)
- Shirt makers (1860-1898)
- Shoemakers (1810-1899)
- Silk goods weavers (1833-1900)
- Silk spinners (1839-1900)
- Silk winders (1833-1900)
- Silver platers (1833-1896)
- Silversmiths (1846-1898)
- Slubbing-frame tenders (1833-1897)
- Smelters (1841-1898)
Shows average daily wages for males and females by occupation, state and country. Source: A Compilation of wages in commercial countries from official sources, Volume I and Volume II. Issued as the 15th Annual Report of the U.S. Commissioner of Labor (1900).
- Soap makers (1860-1897)
- Soap and candle maker foremen (1852-1898)
- Solderers (1842-1897)
- Speeder tenders (1840-1900)
- Stablemen (1855-1899)
- Starchers (1850-1898)
- Stationary engineers (1824-1900)
- Stationary firemen (1839-1900)
- Steam fitters (1871-1900)
- Stereotypers (1840-1900)
- Stewards (1859-1899)
- Stitchers (1853-1900)
- Stonecutters (1789-1900)
- Stove mounters (1860-1898)
- Street car driving (1871-1898)
- Sulphur miners (1862-1897)
Shows average daily wages for males and females by occupation, state and country. Source: A Compilation of wages in commercial countries from official sources, Volume I and Volume II. Issued as the 15th Annual Report of the U.S. Commissioner of Labor (1900).
Shows average daily wages for males and females by occupation, state and country. Source: A Compilation of wages in commercial countries from official sources, Volume I and Volume II. Issued as the 15th Annual Report of the U.S. Commissioner of Labor (1900).
- Cotton textile manufacturing occupations - Wages
- Wool textile manufacturing occupations - Wages
- Other textile occupational wages, non-specified
- Balers (1845-1897)
- Band boys (1856-1896)
- Beam hands (1839-1900)
- Bleachers (1839-1900)
- Brusher tenders (1866-1896)
- Bundlers (1863-1897)
- Burlers (1833-1898)
- Calendrers (1810-1897)
- Card cleaners (1850-1897)
- Carders (1832-1898)
- Carding department overseers (1833-1900)
- Cloth department overseers (1840-1896)
- Color mixers (1839-1896)
- Creelers (1850-1896)
- Designers (1839-1896)
- Doublers (1806-1898)
- Drawers (1839-1899)
- Drawers-in (1842-1897)
- Dressers (1816-1898)
- Dressing department overseers (1840-1896)
- Driers (1833-1897)
- Dyers (1839-1900)
- Dyeing department overseers (1850-1896)
- Examiners (1862-1896)
- Finishers (1839-1900)
- Finishing department overseers (1850-1896)
- Folders (1840-1897)
- Fullers (1833-1896)
- Giggers (1850-1898)
- Handers-in (1850-1896)
- Harness hands (1843-1896)
- Inspectors (1875-1897)
- Lap carriers (1855-1877)
- Lapper tenders (1853-1896)
- Makers-up (1833-1896)
- Measurers (1850-1896)
- Menders (1836-1897)
- Openers (1833-1896)
- Overseers, not-specified (1823-1898)
- Packers (1824-1897)
- Pickers (1810-1900)
- Picking department overseers (1824-1897)
- Piecers (1804-1898)
- Pressers (1836-1898)
- Printers (1810-1897)
- Railway hands (1850-1896)
- Reelers (1806-1898)
- Repairers foremen (1842-1896)
- Scourers (1836-1896)
- Second hands (1834-1897)
- Section hands (1834-1896)
- Sewers (1863-1897)
- Shearers (1833-1897)
- Spinning department overseers (1824-1900)
- Spoolers (1845-1900)
- Spooling department overseers (1857-1896)
- Stampers (1863-1896)
- Tackers (1870-1896)
- Third hands (1840-1896)
- Trimmers (1862-1899)
- Twisters (1833-1898)
- Washers (1836-1896)
- Waste hands (1851-1897)
- Weaving department overseers (1833-1900)
- Winders (1833-1900)
Shows average daily wages for males and females by occupation, state and country. Source: A Compilation of wages in commercial countries from official sources, Volume I and Volume II. Issued as the 15th Annual Report of the U.S. Commissioner of Labor (1900).
- Wagon makers (1853-1899)
- Waiters (1869-1898)
- Warehouse hands (1833-1899)
- Warpers (1810-1900)
- Watchmakers (1820-1898)
- Watchmen (1834-1900)
- Water carriers (1845-1899)
- Wheelwrights (1839-1898)
- Window glass gatherers (1841-1898)
- Wood box makers (1850-1900)
- Wood carvers (1839-1899)
- Wood choppers (1856-1898)
- Wood polishers (1839-1899)
- Wood turners (1840-1899)
- Woodworkers (1840-1900)
- Woodworkers foremen (1836-1896)
- Woolen goods sorters (1836-1897)
- Woolen goods weavers (1823-1900)
Food prices by state, 1870-1879
- Retail food prices by town in 15 states, 1851-1880Shows prices in about 65 towns for flour, meats, fish, butter, beans, eggs, milk and other foods, pp. 44-90. This 1890 U.S. Census publication includes a methodology section.
- Coffee, tea and sugar prices by town in 16 states, 1851-1880Shows a progression of changing retail prices over time in about 50 towns. Also includes price of molasses and syrup. Source: 1890 Census. Click "more..." for direct links to towns.
PRICES for FOOD in Alabama, 1870s
- Provision and grocery prices - Alabama, 1874Shows the average retail price of flour, meat, cheese, sugar, coffee, tea, etc. Row labels on p. 64. Source: Labor in America, U.S. Bureau of Statistics, p. 65.
PRICES for FOOD in Arkansas, 1870s
- Grocery and provision prices - Arkansas, 1874Source: Labor in America, U.S. Bureau of Statistics, p. 66.
PRICES for FOOD in California, 1870s
- Restaurant meals in San Francisco, 1876Shows prices for individual meals and also for weekly board at various restaurants. Source: Annual Statistician, p. 212.
- Grocery and provision prices - California, 1874Row labels on p. 70. Source: Labor in America, U.S. Bureau of Statistics, p. 71.
- Sugar prices - San Francisco, 1870-1885Source: U.S. Bureau of Statistics quarterly report, 1885-86, #2, p. 420.
PRICES for FOOD in Colorado, 1870s
- Food and commodity prices in Colorado, 1860-1891Lists average retail prices. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics of Colorado, pp. 175-179.
PRICES for FOOD in Dakota Territory, 1870s
- Grocery and provision prices - Dakota Territory, 1874Source: Labor in America, U.S. Bureau of Statistics, p. 72.
PRICES for FOOD in Deleware, 1870s
- Grocery and provision prices - Delaware, 1874Row labels on p. 62. Source: Labor in America, U.S. Bureau of Statistics, p. 63.
PRICES for FOOD in Georgia, 1870s
- Grocery and provision prices - Georgia, 1874Row labels on p. 64. Source: Labor in America, U.S. Bureau of Statistics, p. 65.
PRICES for FOOD in Idaho, 1870s
- Grocery and provision prices - Idaho, 1874Source: Labor in America, U.S. Bureau of Statistics, p. 72.
PRICES for FOOD in Massachusetts, 1870s
- Average retail prices - Massachusetts, 1871-1902Pages 241-243 shows the average price of food, fuel, dry goods, and rent within a 75 page report on prices and cost of living in Massachusetts. The report also contains information on purchasing power, expenditures and budgets, and more. Source: Massachusetts Bureau of Statistics of Labor
- Food, grocery and provision prices in Massachusetts, 1872 and 1878Shows food prices by the pound, quart or gallon. Also shows the cost of soap, fuel wood and coal. Source: Massachusetts Annual Report on the Statistics of Labor, 1884.
- Grocery and provision prices - Massachusetts, 1874Row labels on p. 60. Source: Labor in America, U.S. Bureau of Statistics, p. 61.
PRICES for FOOD in Michigan, 1870s
- Grocery and provision prices - Michigan, 1874Source: Labor in America, U.S. Bureau of Statistics, p. 68.
PRICES for FOOD in Minnesota, 1870s
- Grocery and provision prices - Minnesota, 1874Row labels on p. 68. Source: Labor in America, U.S. Bureau of Statistics, p. 69.
PRICES for FOOD in Mississippi, 1870s
- Grocery and provision prices - Mississippi, 1874Row labels on p. 64. Source: Labor in America, U.S. Bureau of Statistics, p. 65.
PRICES for FOOD in Montana, 1870s
- Grocery and provision prices - Montana, 1874Source: Labor in America, U.S. Bureau of Statistics, p. 72.
PRICES for FOOD in North Carolina, 1870s
- Grocery and provision prices - North Carolina, 1874Source: Labor in America, U.S. Bureau of Statistics, p. 64.
PRICES for FOOD in Nebraska, 1870s
- Grocery and provision prices - Nebraska, 1874Source: Labor in America, U.S. Bureau of Statistics, p. 70.
PRICES for FOOD in New Hampshire, 1870s
- Grocery and provision prices - New Hampshire, 1874Source: Labor in America, U.S. Bureau of Statistics, p. 60.
PRICES for FOOD in New Jersey, 1870s
- Food prices - New Jersey, 1858-1878Shows the average retail price for foods including butter, beef, sugar, and more. Source: New Jersey Bureau of Statistics of Labor & Industries, 1st annual rpt., pg. 278
- Grocery and provision prices - New Jersey, 1874Source: Labor in America, U.S. Bureau of Statistics, p. 62.
PRICES for FOOD in New Mexico, 1870s
- Grocery and provision prices - New Mexico, 1874Row labels on p. 72. Source: Labor in America, U.S. Bureau of Statistics, p. 73.
PRICES for FOOD in Nevada, 1870s
- Grocery and provision prices - Nevada, 1874Row labels on p. 70. Source: Labor in America, U.S. Bureau of Statistics, p. 71.
PRICES for FOOD in New York, 1870s
- Food and provision prices in New York, 1825-1882Shows the lowest and highest prices of 25 foods and provisions in NYC over 56 years between 1825-1882. Source: Bureau of Labor and Industrial Statistics of Michigan, pp. 248-250
- Grocery and provision prices - New York, 1874Source: Labor in America, U.S. Bureau of Statistics, p. 62.
- Sugar prices - New York, 1870-1885Source: U.S. Bureau of Statistics quarterly report, 1885-86, #2, p. 420.
PRICES for FOOD in Ohio, 1870s
- Ohio food prices by city, 1870sPrices in Cincinnati start on p. 809; prices in Columbus start on p. 823; prices in Cleveland start on p. 836. All are part of a longer table that shows annual price data from 1825-1892. Source: Ohio Bureau of Labor Statistics, 17th Annual Report.
- Grocery and provision prices - Ohio, 1874Source: Labor in America, U.S. Bureau of Statistics, p. 68.
- Prices of fish - Ohio, 1877Shows the average price per barrel for 15 species of Ohio fish sorted into 3 different qualities ( hard, medium, and soft). Source: 1877 AR of the Ohio Secretary of State
PRICES for FOOD in Oregon, 1870s
- Grocery and provision prices - Oregon, 1874Row labels on p. 70. Source: Labor in America, U.S. Bureau of Statistics, p. 71.
PRICES for FOOD in Pennsylvania, 1870s
- Grocery and provision prices - Pennsylvania, 1874Source: Labor in America, U.S. Bureau of Statistics, p. 62.
- Boarding house rates - Philadelphia, 1875Boarding house rates were $5 to $15 per week according to this source, pp. 68-69. Note: Philadelphia hosted a Centennial Exhibition (World's Fair) around this time, and it may have inflated some rates.
- Price of butter - Pennsylvania, 1878This table shows the price of butter by pound in each county in Pennsylvania. This table also contains information on farm goods and cattle. Source: Pennsylvania Board of Agriculture 2nd ann. rpt., p. 278.
PRICES for FOOD in Rhode Island, 1870s
- Grocery and provision prices - Rhode Island, 1874Row labels on p. 60. Source: Labor in America, U.S. Bureau of Statistics, p. 61.
PRICES for FOOD in South Carolina, 1870s
- Grocery and provision prices - South Carolina, 1874Source: Labor in America, U.S. Bureau of Statistics, p. 64.
PRICES for FOOD in Texas, 1870s
- Grocery and provision prices - Texas, 1874Source: Labor in America, U.S. Bureau of Statistics, p. 66.
PRICES for FOOD in Virginia, 1870s
- Grocery and provision prices - Virginia, 1874Source: Labor in America, U.S. Bureau of Statistics, p. 64.
PRICES for FOOD in Vermont, 1870s
- Grocery and provision prices - Vermont, 1874Source: Labor in America, U.S. Bureau of Statistics, p. 60.
PRICES for FOOD in Washington, 1870s
- Grocery and provision prices - Washington state, 1874Row labels on p. 72. Source: Labor in America, U.S. Bureau of Statistics, p. 73.
PRICES for FOOD in Wisconsin, 1870s
- Grocery and provision prices - Wisconsin, 1874Row labels on p. 68. Source: Labor in America, U.S. Bureau of Statistics, p. 69
PRICES for FOOD in West Virginia, 1870s
- Grocery and provision prices - West Virginia, 1874Row labels on p. 62. Source: Labor in America, U.S. Bureau of Statistics, p. 63.
PRICES for FOOD in Wyoming, 1870s
- Grocery and provision prices - Wyoming, 1874Row labels on p. 72. Source: Labor in America, U.S. Bureau of Statistics, p. 73.
- Provisions - Prices in Wyoming, 1876Shows price of flour, bacon, bean, syrup, corn, oats, coffee, tea, sugar and baking powder. Source: Hand-book of Wyoming..., published 1877, p. 159.
Home, farm and land prices by state, 1870-1879
- Home plans with estimated costs to build, 1876See floor plans, images and estimated costs to build in Hobbs's architecture: containing designs...adapted to the United States.
- Average value of farmland & buildings per acre by region, 1870See region map here. Shows the national average value as well. Source: 1930 Census of Agriculture.
- Cost to build by city - Materials and labor, 1876Source: Home building. A reliable book of facts..., pp. 197-203.
- Land prices and farm rent - Alabama, 1869-1870Prices by county for both improved and unimproved land, and also for farm animals. Source: U.S. Bureau of Statistics.
- Farm real estate value - Alabama counties, 1870Shows average value for farm land and buildings from 1850-1982. See data considerations for explanation. Source: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture report.
- Tenement rent - Alabama, 1867-1874Shows monthly rent for 4-room and 6-room tenements. These dwellings would generally be occupied by working class families in the manufacturing industry. Source: Labor in America, U.S. Bureau of Statistics, p. 65.
- Land prices and farm rent - Arkansas, 1869-1870Prices by county for both improved and unimproved land, and also for farm animals. Source: U.S. Bureau of Statistics.
- Farm real estate value - Arkansas, 1870Shows average value for farm land and buildings from 1850-1982. See data considerations for explanation. Source: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture report.
- Tenement rent - Arkansas, 1867-1874Shows monthly rent for 4-room and 6-room tenements. These dwellings would generally be occupied by working class families in the manufacturing industry. Source: Labor in America, U.S. Bureau of Statistics, p. 66.
- Land value - Arizona, 1870Arizona's farmland had an average value of $6 per acre in 1870. See data considerations for explanation. Source: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture report.
- Land in Arizona Territory, 1869-1870Does not give exact prices but does indicate that "millions of acres" were unsurveyed and open to settlement. Source: Special report on immigration: accompanying information for immigrants relative to the prices and rentals of land... cost of farm stock, kind of labor in demand in the western and southern states, etc., U.S. Bureau of Statistics, pp. 175-176.
- Land prices and farm rent - California, 1869-1870Prices by county for both improved and unimproved land, and also for farm animals. Source: U.S. Bureau of Statistics.
- Farm real estate value - California, 1870Shows average value for farm land and buildings from 1850-1982. See data considerations for explanation. Source: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture report.
- Tenement rent - California, 1867-1874Shows monthly rent for 4-room and 6-room tenements. These dwellings would generally be occupied by working class families in the manufacturing industry. Source: Labor in America, U.S. Bureau of Statistics, p. 71.
- 1869-1870
- Colorado farm prices, to buy or rent, by county.
Source: Information for immigrants, U.S. Bureau of Statistics.
- Colorado farm prices, to buy or rent, by county.
- 1870
- Colorado's farmland was valued at an average $8 per acre. Source: USDA report. See data considerations for explanation.
- 1872
- Colorado house rent (p. 32) price of land under the Homestead Act (p. 28) and building material prices (p. 33). Source: Colorado Territorial Board of Immigration.
- 1879
- Denver house rent was $25-$35 per month, p. 68.
- Leadville real estate values before and after 1878 gold rush, p. 216
Source: To the Rockies and beyond... by Strahorn.
- House rent by city or town - Connecticut, 1870sAverage monthly rents by number of rooms in selected towns. Source: 1880 Census.
- Boarding house rates by city - Connecticut, 1870sRates for meals and lodging at boarding houses in selected towns. Source: 1880 Census.
- Farm real estate value - Connecticut, 1870Shows average value for farm land and buildings by county from 1850-1982. See data considerations for explanation. Source: USDA report.
- Tenement rent - Connecticut, 1867-1874Shows monthly rent for 4-room and 6-room tenements. These dwellings would generally be occupied by working class families in the manufacturing industry. Source: Labor in America, U.S. Bureau of Statistics, p. 61.
- House rents, prices, wages and more - Dakota Territory, 1870sBlack Hills house rent, $25-$40 per month. Source: To the Rockies and beyond, p. 27.
- Land prices - Dakota Territory, 1869-1870Land was available through homesteading and pre-emption laws. Source also tells the price of farm animals. Source: Information for immigrants, U.S. Bureau of Statistics report, pp. 110-111.
- Tenement rent - Dakota, 1867-1874Shows monthly rent for 4-room and 6-room tenements. These dwellings would generally be occupied by working class families in the manufacturing industry. Source: Labor in America, U.S. Bureau of Statistics, p. 72.
- House prices and rents - Washington DC, 1870s
See classified ad sections of the Washington DC newspapers. Use the Advanced Search in Chronicling America, select District of Columbia, restrict to desired dates, and try entering the words home and rooms into the box specifying that they must fall within 5 words of each other. Here are some examples:
- Tenement rent - Delaware, 1867-1874Shows monthly rent for 4-room and 6-room tenements. These dwellings would generally be occupied by working class families in the manufacturing industry. Source: Labor in America, U.S. Bureau of Statistics, p. 63.
- Land prices and farm rent - Florida, 1869-1870Prices by county for land, farm animals and more. Source: U.S. Bureau of Statistics.
- Farm real estate value - Florida, 1870Shows average value for farm land and buildings by county from 1850-1982. See data considerations for explanation. Source: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture report.
- Tenement rent - Florida, 1867-1874Shows monthly rent for 4-room and 6-room tenements. These dwellings would generally be occupied by working class families in the manufacturing industry. Source: Labor in America, U.S. Bureau of Statistics, p. 65.
- Land prices and farm rent - Georgia, 1869-1870Prices by county for land, farm animals and more. Source: U.S. Bureau of Statistics.
- Farm real estate value - Georgia, 1870Shows average value for farm land and buildings from 1850-1982. See data considerations for explanation. Source: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture report.
- Tenement rent - Georgia, 1867-1874Shows monthly rent for 4-room and 6-room tenements. These dwellings would generally be occupied by working class families in the manufacturing industry. Source: Labor in America, U.S. Bureau of Statistics, p. 65.
- House rent - Cedar Rapids IA, 1870sAverage monthly rent by number of rooms. Source: 1880 Census.
- Farm real estate value - Iowa, 1870Shows average value for farm land and buildings by county from 1850-1982. See data considerations for explanation. Source: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture report.
- Tenement rent - Iowa, 1867-1874Shows monthly rent for 4- and 6-room tenements. These dwellings would generally be occupied by working class families employed in manufacturing. Source: Labor in America, U.S. Bureau of Statistics, p. 69.
- Boarding house rates - Cedar Rapids IA, 1870sRates for meals and lodging. Source: 1880 Census.
- Land prices and farm rent - Iowa, 1869-1870Prices by county for both improved and unimproved land, and also for farm animals. Source: U.S. Bureau of Statistics.
- Land prices and farm rent - Idaho, 1869-1870Prices by county for land, farm animals and more. Source: U.S. Bureau of Statistics.
- Farm real estate value - Idaho, 1870Idaho's farmland had an average value of $5 per acre in 1870. See data considerations for explanation. Source: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture report.
- Tenement rent - Idaho, 1867-1874Shows monthly rent for 4-room and 6-room tenements. These dwellings would generally be occupied by working class families in the manufacturing industry. Source: Labor in America, U.S. Bureau of Statistics, p. 72.
- House rent by town - Illinois, 1870sAverage monthly rents by number of rooms in four Illinois towns. Source: 1880 Census.
- Boarding house rates by city - Illinois, 1870sRates for meals and lodging at boarding houses in selected cities.
- Land prices and farm rent - Illinois, 1869-1870Prices by county for both improved and unimproved land, and also for farm animals. Source: U.S. Bureau of Statistics.
- Farm real estate value - Illinois, 1870Shows average value for farm land and buildings by county from 1850-1982. See data considerations for explanation. Source: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture report.
- Tenement rent - Illinois, 1867-1874Shows monthly rent for 4-room and 6-room tenements. These dwellings would generally be occupied by working class families in the manufacturing industry. Source: Labor in America, U.S. Bureau of Statistics, p. 69.
- House rent by city or town - Indiana, 1870sAverage monthly rents by number of rooms in selected towns. Source: 1880 Census.
- Boarding house rates by city - Indiana, 1870sRates for meals and lodging at boarding houses in selected cities.
- Land prices and farm rent - Indiana, 1869-1870Prices by county for both improved and unimproved land, and also for farm animals. Source: U.S. Bureau of Statistics.
- Farm real estate value - Indiana, 1870Shows average value for farm land and buildings by county from 1850-1982. See data considerations for explanation. Source: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture report.
- Tenement rent - Indiana, 1867-1874Shows monthly rent for 4-room and 6-room tenements. These dwellings would generally be occupied by working class families in the manufacturing industry. Source: Labor in America, U.S. Bureau of Statistics, p. 68.
- House rent - Leavenworth KS, 1870sAverage monthly rent by number of rooms. Source: 1880 Census.
- Boarding house rates - Leavenworth KS, 1870sRates for meals and lodging. Source: 1880 Census.
- Farm real estate value - Kansas, 1870Shows average value for farm land and buildings by county from 1850-1982. See data considerations for explanation. Source: USDA report.
- Tenement rent - Kansas, 1867-1874Shows monthly rent for 4-room and 6-room tenements. These dwellings would generally be occupied by working class families in the manufacturing industry. Source: Labor in America, U.S. Bureau of Statistics, p. 70.
- House rent - Louisville KY, 1870sAverage monthly rents by number of rooms. Source: 1880 Census.
- Boarding house rates - Louisville KY, 1870sRates for meals and lodging. Source: 1880 Census.
- Land prices and farm rent - Kentucky, 1869-1870Prices by county for both improved and unimproved land, and also for farm animals. Source: U.S. Bureau of Statistics.
- Farm real estate value - Kentucky, 1870Shows average value for farm land and buildings by county from 1850-1982. See data considerations for explanation. Source: USDA report.
- Tenement rent - Kentucky, 1867-1874Shows monthly rent for 4-room and 6-room tenements. These dwellings would generally be occupied by working class families in the manufacturing industry. Source: Labor in America, U.S. Bureau of Statistics, p. 67.
- Farm real estate value - Louisiana, 1870Shows average value for farm land and buildings by county from 1850-1982. See data considerations for explanation. Source: USDA report.
- Land prices and farm rent - Louisiana, 1869-1870Prices by county for both improved and unimproved land, and also for farm animals. Source: U.S. Bureau of Statistics.
- Tenement rent - Louisiana, 1867-1874Shows monthly rent for 4-room and 6-room tenements. These dwellings would generally be occupied by working class families in the manufacturing industry. Source: Labor in America, U.S. Bureau of Statistics, p. 66.
- House rent - Boston MA, 1870sAverage monthly rents by number of rooms. Source: 1880 Census.
- Farm real estate value - Massachusetts, 1870Shows average value for farm land and buildings by county from 1850-1982. See data considerations for explanation. Source: USDA.
- Tenement rent - Massachusetts, 1867-1874Shows monthly rent for 4-room and 6-room tenements. These dwellings would generally be occupied by working class families in the manufacturing industry. Source: Labor in America, U.S. Bureau of Statistics, p. 61.
- House rent - Baltimore MD, 1870sAverage monthly rent by number of rooms. Source: 1880 Census.
- Land prices and farm rent - Maryland, 1869-1870Prices by county for both improved and unimproved land, and also for farm animals. Source: U.S. Bureau of Statistics.
- Farm real estate value - Maryland, 1870Shows average value for farm land and buildings by county from 1850-1982. See data considerations for explanation. Source: USDA.
- Tenement rent - Maryland, 1867-1874Shows monthly rent for 4-room and 6-room tenements. These dwellings would generally be occupied by working class families in the manufacturing industry. Source: Labor in America, U.S. Bureau of Statistics, p. 63.
- Farm real estate value - Maine, 1870Shows average value for farm land and buildings by county from 1850-1982. See data considerations for explanation. Source: USDA report.
- Land prices and farm rent - Michigan, 1869-1870Prices by county for both improved and unimproved land, and also for farm animals. Source: U.S. Bureau of Statistics.
- Farm real estate value - Michigan, 1870Shows average value for farm land and buildings by county from 1850-1982. See data considerations for explanation. Source: USDA report.
- Tenement rent - Michigan, 1867-1874Shows monthly rent for 4-room and 6-room tenements. These dwellings would generally be occupied by working class families in the manufacturing industry. Source: Labor in America, U.S. Bureau of Statistics, p. 68.
- Minnesota - Cost to build a modest home in rural area,1879A home sized 16x18 feet, built of single boards, covered with shingles, un-plastered and having only two doors and windows, would have cost $45 in 1879. It could be constructed without hired labor. A cooking stove, crockery ware, six chairs, one table and two bedsteads, would require about $40. The claim to acquire government land would cost $17. Source: Minnesota State Board of Immigration report.
- Land prices and farm rent by county - Minnesota, 1869-1870Prices for improved and unimproved land, and also for farm animals. Source: U.S. Bureau of Statistics.
- Farm real estate value - Minnesota, 1870Shows average value for farm land and buildings by county from 1850-1982. See data considerations for explanation. Source: USDA report.
- Tenement rent - Minnesota, 1867-1874Shows monthly rent for 4-room and 6-room tenements. These dwellings would generally be occupied by working class families in the manufacturing industry. Source: Labor in America, U.S. Bureau of Statistics, p. 69.
- House rent - Missouri, 1870sAverage monthly rent by number of rooms, in St. Louis and Pilot Knob. Source: 1880 Census.
- Boarding house rates by city - Missouri, 1870sRates for meals and lodging at boarding houses in St. Louis and Pilot Knob, MO. Source: 1880 Census.
- Land prices and farm rent - Missouri, 1869-1870Prices by county for both improved and unimproved land, and also for farm animals. Source: U.S. Bureau of Statistics.
- Farm real estate value - Missouri, 1870Shows average value for farm land and buildings by county from 1850-1982. See data considerations for explanation. Source: USDA report.
- Land prices by county - Missouri, late 1870sIn this 1880 publication "Handbook of Missouri" from the Missouri Immigration Society (not a government agency), a detailed section for counties begins on page 75. Most of the county entries include a section titled "Price of Land," such as these: Andrew County, Atchison County, Audrain County, Barry County, Barton County, etc.
- Tenement rent - Missouri, 1867-1874Shows monthly rent for 4-room and 6-room tenements. These dwellings would generally be occupied by working class families in the manufacturing industry. Source: Labor in America, U.S. Bureau of Statistics, p. 67.
- Land prices and farm rent - Mississippi, 1869-1870Prices by county for both improved and unimproved land, and also for farm animals. Source: U.S. Bureau of Statistics.
- Farm real estate value - Mississippi, 1870Shows average value for farm land and buildings by county from 1850-1982. See data considerations for explanation. Source: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture report.
- Tenement rent - Mississippi, 1867-1874Shows monthly rent for 4-room and 6-room tenements. These dwellings would generally be occupied by working class families in the manufacturing industry. Source: Labor in America, U.S. Bureau of Statistics, p. 65.
- Montana - House rents, land prices and more, 1870sMontana house rent $25-$35 per month in Helena and Butte. Also shows retail prices of building materials, p. 196. Source: To the Rockies and beyond... by Strahorn (1879)
- Land prices and farm rent - Montana Territory, 1869-1870Prices by county for both improved and unimproved land, and also for farm animals. Source: U.S. Bureau of Statistics.
- Farm real estate value - Montana, 1870Montana's farmland was valued at an average $4 per acre in 1870. See data considerations for explanation. Source: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture report.
- Tenement rent - Montana, 1867-1874Shows monthly rent for 4-room and 6-room tenements. These dwellings would generally be occupied by working class families in the manufacturing industry. Source: Labor in America, U.S. Bureau of Statistics, p. 72.
- Land prices and farm rent - North Carolina, 1869-1870Prices by county for both improved and unimproved land, and also for farm animals. Source: U.S. Bureau of Statistics.
- Farm real estate value - North Carolina, 1870Shows average value for farm land and buildings by county from 1850-1982. See data considerations for explanation. Source: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture report.
- Tenement rent - North Carolina, 1867-1874Shows monthly rent for 4-room and 6-room tenements. These dwellings would generally be occupied by working class families in the manufacturing industry. Source: Labor in America, U.S. Bureau of Statistics, p. 64.
- Land prices and farm rent - Nebraska, 1869-1870Prices by county for both improved and unimproved land, and also for farm animals. Source: U.S. Bureau of Statistics.
- Tenement rent - Nebraska, 1867-1874Shows monthly rent for 4-room and 6-room tenements. These dwellings would generally be occupied by working class families in the manufacturing industry. Source: Labor in America, U.S. Bureau of Statistics, p. 70.
- Farm real estate value - New Hampshire, 1870Shows average value for farm land and buildings by county from 1850-1982. See data considerations for explanation. Source: USDA report.
- Tenement rent - New Hampshire, 1867-1874Shows monthly rent for 4-room and 6-room tenements. These dwellings would generally be occupied by working class families in the manufacturing industry. Source: Labor in America, U.S. Bureau of Statistics, p. 60.
- House rent - Camden NJ, 1870sAverage monthly rent by number of rooms in Camden, New Jersey. Source: 1880 Census.
- Farm real estate value - New Jersey, 1870Shows average value for farm land and buildings by county from 1850-1982. See data considerations for explanation. Source: USDA report.
- Tenement rent - New Jersey, 1867-1874Shows monthly rent for 4-room and 6-room tenements. These dwellings would generally be occupied by working class families in the manufacturing industry. Source: Labor in America, U.S. Bureau of Statistics, p. 62.
- Farm real estate value - New Mexico, 1870New Mexico's farmland had an average value of $2 per acre in 1870. See data considerations for explanation. Source: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture report.
- Land prices and farm rent - Dona Ana County, New Mexico Territory, 1869-1870Land prices along with a general description of economic opportunities in Dona Ana County. Source: Special report on immigration: accompanying information for immigrants relative to the prices and rentals of land... cost of farm stock, kind of labor in demand in the western and southern states, etc., U.S. Bureau of Statistics, pp. 174-175.
- Tenement rent - New Mexico, 1867-1874Shows monthly rent for 4-room and 6-room tenements. These dwellings would generally be occupied by working class families in the manufacturing industry. Source: Labor in America, U.S. Bureau of Statistics, p. 73.
- Land prices and rent - Nevada, 1869-1870Prices by county for both improved and unimproved land, and also for animals: ox, horses, mules, cows, sheep and hogs. Source: U.S. Bureau of Statistics.
- Farm real estate value - Nevada, 1870Shows average value for farm land and buildings by county from 1850-1982. See data considerations for explanation. Source: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture report.
- Tenement rent - Nevada, 1867-1874Shows monthly rent for 4-room and 6-room tenements. These dwellings would generally be occupied by working class families in the manufacturing industry. Source: Labor in America, U.S. Bureau of Statistics, p. 71.
- Home plans with estimated cost to build, 1874Contains many drawings of homes in Newburgh, NY, with floor plans and building costs. Source: Villas and cottages by Calvert Vaux (1874). Home plans appear on pp. 120-347.
6-room plumber's house in Newburgh, NY cost about $1500 to build ca. 1874 - House rent - Oswego NY, 1870sAverage monthly rent by number of rooms. Source: 1880 Census.
- Boarding house rates by city - New York, 1870sRates for meals and lodging at boarding houses in Gloversville and Oswego, NY. Source: 1880 Census.
- Farm real estate values by county - New York, 1870Shows average value for farm land and buildings by county from 1850-1982. See data considerations for explanation. Source: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture report.
- New York - Land prices by county, 1874Lists average price for farm land by the acre in selected New York counties.
- Tenement rent - New York, 1867-1874Shows monthly rent for 4-room and 6-room tenements. These dwellings would generally be occupied by working class families in the manufacturing industry. Source: Labor in America, U.S. Bureau of Statistics, p. 62.
- House rent by town - Ohio, 1870sAverage monthly rents by number of rooms in selected towns. Source: 1880 Census.
- Boarding house rates by town - Ohio, 1870sRates for meals and lodging in selected towns.
- Land prices and farm rent - Ohio, 1869-1870Prices by county for both improved and unimproved land, and also for farm animals. Source: U.S. Bureau of Statistics.
- Farm real estate value - Ohio, 1870Shows average value for farm land and buildings by county from 1850-1982. See data considerations for explanation. Source: USDA report.
- Tenement rent - Ohio, 1867-1874Shows monthly rent for 4-room and 6-room tenements. These dwellings would generally be occupied by working class families in the manufacturing industry. Source: Labor in America, U.S. Bureau of Statistics, p. 68.
- Land prices and farm rent - Oregon, 1869-1870Prices by county for both improved and unimproved land, and also for farm animals. Source: U.S. Bureau of Statistics.
- Farm real estate value - Oregon, 1870Shows average value for farm land and buildings by county from 1850-1982. See data considerations for explanation. Source: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture report.
- Tenement rent - Oregon, 1867-1874Shows monthly rent for 4-room and 6-room tenements. These dwellings would generally be occupied by working class families in the manufacturing industry. Source: Labor in America, U.S. Bureau of Statistics, p. 71.
- House rent by town - Pennsylvania, 1870sAverage monthly rents by number of rooms in selected towns. Source: 1880 Census.
- Boarding house rates by city - Pennsylvania, 1870sRates for meals and lodging at boarding houses in selected cities.
- Land prices and farm rent - Pennsylvania, 1869-1870Prices by county for both improved and unimproved land, and also for farm animals. Source: U.S. Bureau of Statistics.
- Farm real estate value - Pennsylvania, 1870Shows average value for farm land and buildings by county from 1850-1982. See data considerations for explanation. Source: USDA report.
- Tenement rent - Pennsylvania, 1867-1874Shows monthly rent for 4-room and 6-room tenements. These dwellings would generally be occupied by working class families in the manufacturing industry. Source: Labor in America, U.S. Bureau of Statistics, p. 62.
- Farm real estate value - Rhode Island, 1870Shows average value for farm land and buildings by county from 1850-1982. See data considerations for explanation. Source: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture report.
- Tenement rent - Rhode Island, 1867-1874Shows monthly rent for 4-room and 6-room tenements. These dwellings would generally be occupied by working class families in the manufacturing industry. Source: Labor in America, U.S. Bureau of Statistics, p. 61.
- Land prices and farm rent - South Carolina, 1869-1870Prices by county for both improved and unimproved land, and also for farm animals. Source: U.S. Bureau of Statistics.
- Farm real estate value - South Carolina, 1870Shows average value for farm land and buildings by county from 1850-1982. See data considerations for explanation. Source: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture report.
- Tenement rent - South Carolina, 1867-1874Shows monthly rent for 4-room and 6-room tenements. These dwellings would generally be occupied by working class families in the manufacturing industry. Source: Labor in America, U.S. Bureau of Statistics, p. 64.
- House rent - Nashville TN, 1870sAverage monthly rent by number of rooms. Source: 1880 Census.
- Boarding house rates - Nashville TN, 1870sRates for meals and lodging. Source: 1880 Census.
- Land prices and farm rent - Tennessee, 1869-1870Prices by county for both improved and unimproved land, and also for farm animals. Source: U.S. Bureau of Statistics.
- Farm real estate value - Tennessee, 1870Shows average value for farm land and buildings by county from 1850-1982. See data considerations for explanation. Source: USDA report.
- Tenement rent - Tennessee, 1867-1874Shows monthly rent for 4-room and 6-room tenements. These dwellings would generally be occupied by working class families in the manufacturing industry. Source: Labor in America, U.S. Bureau of Statistics, p. 67.
- Land prices and farm rent - Texas, 1869-1870Prices by county for both improved and unimproved land, and also for farm animals. Source: U.S. Bureau of Statistics.
- Farm real estate value - Texas, 1870Shows average value for farm land and buildings by county from 1850-1982. See data considerations for explanation. Source: USDA report.
- Tenement rent - Texas, 1867-1874Shows monthly rent for 4-room and 6-room tenements. These dwellings would generally be occupied by working class families in the manufacturing industry. Source: Labor in America, U.S. Bureau of Statistics, p. 66.
- Farm real estate value - Utah, 1870Utah's farmland had an average value of $12 per acre in 1870. Source: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture report. See data considerations for explanation.
- Land prices and farm rent - Virginia, 1869-1870Prices by county for both improved and unimproved land, and also for farm animals. Source: U.S. Bureau of Statistics.
- Farm real estate value - Virginia, 1870Virginia's farmland had an average value of $9 per acre in 1870. See county breakouts on p. 102 and p. 104. See data considerations for explanation. Source: USDA report.
- Tenement rent - Virginia, 1867-1874Shows monthly rent for 4-room and 6-room tenements. These dwellings would generally be occupied by working class families in the manufacturing industry. Source: Labor in America, U.S. Bureau of Statistics, p. 64.
- Farm real estate value - Vermont, 1870Shows average value for farm land and buildings by county from 1850-1982. See data considerations for explanation. Source: USDA report.
1875 house in Burlington, VT - Tenement rent - Vermont, 1867-1874Shows monthly rent for 4-room and 6-room tenements. These dwellings would generally be occupied by working class families in the manufacturing industry. Source: Labor in America, U.S. Bureau of Statistics, p. 60.
- Land prices and farm rent - Washington Territory, 1869-1870Prices for land and farm animals in: Special report on immigration, U.S. Bureau of Statistics, pp. 197-198.
- Farm real estate value - Washington Territory, 1870Land in Washington Territory had an average value of $6 per acre in 1870. See data considerations for explanation. Source: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture report.
- Tenement rent - Washington, 1874Shows monthly rent for 4-room and 6-room tenements. These dwellings would generally be occupied by working class families in the manufacturing industry. Source: Labor in America, U.S. Bureau of Statistics, p. 73.
- Farm real estate value - Wisconsin, 1870Shows average value for farm land and buildings by county from 1850-1982. See data considerations for explanation. Source: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture report.
- Tenement rent - Wisconsin, 1867-1874Shows monthly rent for 4-room and 6-room tenements. These dwellings would generally be occupied by working class families in the manufacturing industry. Source: Labor in America, U.S. Bureau of Statistics, p. 69.
- House rent - New Cumberland WV, 1870sAverage monthly rents by number of rooms. Source: 1880 Census.
- Boarding house rates - New Cumberland WV, 1870sRates for meals and lodging. Source: 1880 Census.
- Land prices and farm rent - West Virginia, 1869-1870Prices by county for both improved and unimproved land, and also for farm animals. Source: U.S. Bureau of Statistics.
- Farm real estate value - West Virginia, 1870Shows average value for farm land and buildings by county from 1850-1982. See data considerations for explanation. Source: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture report.
- Tenement rent - West Virginia, 1867-1874Shows monthly rent for 4-room and 6-room tenements. These dwellings would generally be occupied by working class families in the manufacturing industry. Source: Labor in America, U.S. Bureau of Statistics, p. 63.
- House rent in Cheyenne WY, 1879Cheyenne house rent $30-$35 per month. Source: To the Rockies and beyond..., p. 16.
- Farm real estate value - Wyoming Territory, 1870Wyoming's farmland had an average value of $3 per acre in 1870. See data considerations for explanation. Source: USDA report.
- Tenement rent - Wyoming, 1874Shows monthly rent for 4-room and 6-room tenements. These dwellings would generally be occupied by working class families in the manufacturing industry. Source: Labor in America, U.S. Bureau of Statistics, p. 73.
Travel & transportation prices, 1870-1879
- Railroad passenger fares by RR company, 1850-1897Average passenger fares in cents per mile. There is no differentiation between classes of travel. Source: USDS Misc. Bulletin #15, pp. 65-77.
- Passenger train fare in the U.S., 1871-1933Average railroad passenger fare (ticket price) expressed in cents per mile.
- New York to Pacific Northwest - Travel costs, 1872Emigrant guidebook tells the options for travelers and costs associated. Source: All over Oregon and Washington (1872), pp. 363-364.
- Railroad fares from Philadelphia, 1876Shows fares to all the major cities. Source: Visitors' guide to the centennial exhibition.
- Railroad fares from New York City, 1877In Appleton's illustrated hand book, pp. 135-136.
- Transportation to Montana, ca. 1878Lists fares to Montana from NYC, Chicago, Omaha and St. Louis. Source: To the Rockies and beyond... by Strahorn, p. 198.
- Excursion tickets from New York, ca. 1870sSource: Cook's American tourist tickets over 1,000 routes, at reduced rates
- Stage coach fare - California, 1878Stagecoaches leaving from Truckee, California to various destinations had the following fares:
Stages were a dusty, rough ride
compared to trains and boats
28 miles, 4 hours -- $4
45 miles, 7.5 hours -- $5
60 miles, 10 hours -- $8
72 miles, 12 hours -- $10 - Stage-coach fare in the Pacific Northwest, 1874Passenger fare to Boise City, ID from Utah, Nevada and Oregon via stage coaches.
- Horse car, carriage, ferry, etc. fares by city, 1879See sections titled "Modes of Conveyance" under city descriptions throughout the text of this travel guide. It includes but is not limited to the cities of Chicago, St. Louis, San Francisco, New Orleans, Cincinnati, Louisville KY, Richmond VA and more. Source: Appleton's general guide to the United States and Canada... Part II: western and southern states (1879)
- Cab and hack fares in cities, 1875-1876San Francisco fares in Annual Statistician (1876), p. 212. Philadelphia fares in Official guide book to Philadelphia (1875), pp. 84-86.
- Carriage and buggy repair - Milwaukee, 1875Shows price list for various sorts of repairs, refinishing, etc. for carriages and buggies in Milwaukee. Source: The Hub, April 1875 issue.
- Horse-drawn vehicle prices in NYC, 1871"New York Carriage Market of 1871" article shows the average price of various models, from no-top wagons to broughams, clarences, all the way up to luxury landaus for $3,000. Source: The Hub and New York coachmakers' magazine, March 15, 1872 issue, page 252.
No-top trade wagons cost $325 in New York in 1871 - Wagon and team prices - Wyoming, 1876A two-horse wagon cost between $100-$125. Source also shows the cost of 4-horse wagons as well as the prices of horse and mule teams on p. 159. Source: Hand-Book of Wyoming..., published 1877.
- England or Ireland to New York, 1871Gives cabin and steerage passenger rates for several steamship lines. Source: London and its environs, pp. 2-4.
- England or Ireland to New York or Boston, 1877Steerage and cabin fares on the Cunard line.
- Europe to California and other western states, 1872Tells the cost to travel to America's west coast through the Panama Canal or over the continent by rail. Source: All over Oregon and Washington (1872), pp. 364-366.
- From America to Europe, 1870s
- 1874 steamship fares in ads printed in The United States register, or blue book.
- 1875 steamship fares in the traveler's guide, Europe on $2 a Day, pp. 40-42.
- 1878 tour expenses listed in Practical suggestions to the American tourist visiting Europe for the first time on p. 15.
- Fares from San Francisco, 1876Shows total passenger cost to reach any of hundreds of destinations, taking into account portions of the journey traveled by ship, train and stagecoach. See fares to reach: AL, AZ, CA, CO, ID, MO, MT, NE, NV, NM, NY, OR, UT, WA, WY.
- Transportation to Wyoming, 1876Railway fare to Cheyenne WY from Chicago was $47; from Omaha NE, $31; from Denver CO, $7; from St. Louis MO, $47; and from New York City, $70. Stage coach fare between Cheyenne and Deadwood, South Dakota was $50. Source: Hand-book of Wyoming..., published 1877.
- Roe's hotel guide for commercial travelers, 1876Use the Index to states to find page numbers quickly. The Key to abbreviations is essential to using this book; see pp. 118-119.
- Hotel rates in selected U.S. cities, 1879See prices throughout the text of this travel guide. It includes but is not limited to the cities of Chicago, St. Louis, San Francisco, New Orleans, Denver, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Louisville KY, Richmond VA, Jacksonville FL, and more. Source: Appleton's general guide to the United States and Canada... Part II: western and southern states (1879)
This Chicago hotel charged $3-5 in 1878 - Hotel rates - San Francisco, 1876Source: Annual Statistician, p. 212.
- Philadelphia hotel rates, 1876Source: centennial exhibition visitor's guide. Find hotel descriptions in an 1875 Philadelphia guidebook, pp. 63-66.
- Hotel rates - Baltimore, 1871Source: State gazette and merchants and farmers' directory for Maryland and District of Columbia.
- Western states hotel rates, ca. 1878Shows hotel rates in Denver (p. 68) Black Hills, Dakota Territory (p. 27), Cheyenne (p. 16) and Montana (p. 196). Source: To the Rockies and beyond... by Strahorn (1879).
- Hotel rates in Minnesota and Iowa, 1878In Stranger's guide and reference book to the city of St. Paul, pp. 127-128.
Clothing prices, 1870-1879
- Wanamaker's mail order catalog, 1879Prices for clothing, hats and shoes. Contains no illustrations.
- Women's clothing and hat catalog, 1870Lord & Taylor catalog shows styles available for mail order. Customers were instructed to provide 14 different measurements.
- Montgomery Ward catalogue, 1875Catalog shows prices for fabrics and sewing supplies, clothing, hats, boots and shoes, jewelry and other items besides clothing.
- Macy's catalog, 1877-1878Mail order prices for women's and children's clothing, also parasols, toiletries, jewelry, makeup, household linens, china, furnishings, books, stationery and more.
- Clothing pattern prices (mail order catalog) - 1876Well-illustrated mail order catalog shows paper pattern prices for men's, women's, boy's and girl's clothing, coats, underwear, pajamas, caps and bonnets.
- Men's clothing and accessory prices - New Haven CT, 1878Shirts, collars, cuffs, gloves, hosiery, etc. prices. Marketed to college students. Source: Yale literary magazine, June 1878, p. 6.
Ready-made gent's shirts for $1.25 in 1875 - Boy's clothing prices - New York, 1874Ad lists prices of boy's suits, pantaloons, overcoats, and more.
- Clothing prices paid by U.S. War Dept., 1840-1891Source: Serial Set #3074 pt. 4, pp. 1596-1599.
- Fabric prices by city/town, 1850s-1870sShows prices for shirtings, sheetings, tickings, cotton flannel, prints, satinets and more.
- Price of cotton and cotton goods - New York, 1847-1886Shows the price per pound or per yard of middling cotton, sheetings, drillings, prints, and cloths in New York City. Source: 1887 AR of the Ohio Secretary of State
- Sewing machine prices, 1870s
1873 sewing machine- 1872
- 1874
- Home Shuttle sewing machine, $25 and $37
- Blake's Shuttle sewing machine, $20
- Men's clothing made to order - New York City, 1875Newspaper ad shows price for pants: $5 to $7. Price for suits: $20 to $30.
- Men's tailored clothing prices - Boston, 1870Ad shows prices for coats, pantaloons and vests made from various quality fabrics.
- Men's clothing and accessory prices - New Haven CT, 1878Shirts, collars, cuffs, gloves, hosiery, etc. prices. Marketed to college students. Source: Yale literary magazine, June 1878, p. 6.
- Men's boot prices by city/town, 1850s-1870sRetail price of men's heavy boots in U.S. Census publication dated 1886, pp. 92-93.
- Boot and shoe prices paid by U.S. War Dept., 1840-1891Specifications provided on p. 1583. Source: Serial Set #3074 pt. 4, pp. 1596-1599.
Health and medicine prices, 1870-1879
- California
- Illinois
- Massachusetts
- Boston, Cambridge, Charlestown and Chelsea. Source published 1873.
- Boston and surrounding areas. Source published 1880.
- Rhode Island
- Providence. Source published 1880.
- New York hospital rates - 1869-1871
St. Luke's Hospital,
Saint Vincent's Hospital,
Women's Hospital of the State of New York,
House of Rest for Consumptives (Tremont, NY),
New York Ophthalmic and Aural Institute
Source: New York and its institutions, 1609-1873. - Maternity hospital - Boston, 1873Rates described in "Admission of patients" at bottom of p. 1042 in the 1873 Boston Directory.
- Ague, fever, malaria, etc. medicines - Prices (retail and wholesale), 1876Shows consumer prices for bottled medicines, including remedies for fever, ague and malaria. Source: American Journal of Pharmacy Sep 1876 issue.
- Opium price to druggists, 1878The monthly Druggists' Circular included a regular section titled "Prices Current," showing the wholesale (jobbers) price of ingredients used to compound medicines. See the price of opium in this list. Check other issues in different years to track price changes.
- Female pills (to induce miscarriage)Often found through newspaper ads and sold by mail order. Description reads: "should not be taken by pregnant females during the first three months, as miscarriage is certain to be brought on" (source). Note: abortion was illegal at this time.
- Dentures and filling prices - New York, 1879Advertisement for Dr. Sweeney Dental Rooms shows prices: "Dentures $2.50 to $10.00 and upwards. Decayed teeth filled with pure gold, genuine platina, amalgam, bone, etc., $1.00 upwards. Teeth cleaning $1.00." Source: ad section in Puck, March 12, 1879, p. 110, col. 2.
Communication rates, 1870-1879
- Telegraph rates from New York City - 1873Table shows the price to send a 10-word message from New York City to 70 major cities in the U.S. and Canada. Source, pp. 24-25.
- Telegraph rates from San Francisco, 1876Detailed table shows the price to send a 10-word message to towns in AL, AZ, CA, CO, ID, MO, MT, NE, NV, NM, NY, OR, UT, WA, WY. Source: Annual statistician, 1876.
- Telegraph rates from Wyoming, 1876Cost to send 10-word message from Cheyenne to Chicago, $1.00; to Deadwood CO, $2.50; and to Custer City SD, $2.00. Source: Hand-Book of Wyoming..., pub. 1877.
- Telegraph rates from Montana, ca. 1878A 10-word telegram from Helena to points east of the Missouri River would cost $2.50. Source: To the Rockies and beyond... by Strahorn (1879), p. 198.
- Telephone terms from Bell Telephone Company, 1877A circular issued by Bell telephone in 1877 offered their new means of communication to the public; it listed terms and rates for residential and commercial service.
- Telephone service in Connecticut, 1877-1879Bell telephones leased for $35 a year in 1877 in New Haven and Middlesex counties. In 1878, the District Telephone Co. charged $18 per year; by 1879, their rates increased to $22. From 1878-1882, a public telephone, or pay station, was available at Bridgeport - the rate was 15 cents a call. Source: Connecticut pioneers in telephony (1950).
- Price of a newspaper subscription, 1869-1920Look up by year, then state, then city, then title to find the cost of a newspaper subscription. Source: Rowell's & Ayer's American newspaper directories.
- Cost to mail a letter, 1863-presentShows postal rates for domestic letters. Source: Historian of the U.S. Postal Service.
More prices in the United States, 1870-1879
- Horses, mules and farm animals - Average prices, 1867-1920Shows average values expressed as price per head. Source: 1919 USDA Yearbook.
- Horses and mules (p. 653)
- Milk cows and other cattle (p. 658)
- Sheep (p. 668)
- Swine (p. 675)
- Work animals - Wyoming, 1876Shows the price of oxen, horse teams, saddle horses and pack horses as well as mule teams, pack mules and saddle mules. Source: Hand-Book of Wyoming... (1877)
- Price of cattle - Pennsylvania, 1878This table shows the average sale price of horses, mules, and cows in each county in Pennsylvania. This table also contains information on farm goods and butter. Source: 2nd AR of Pennsylvania Board of Agriculture, pg. 278
- Rifles, firearms and cartridge prices, ca. 1870Source: Sons of Veterans military goods catalog, p. 31.
- Gun and rifle catalog, 1877Illustrated catalog and price list for a gun retailer located in Pittsburgh.
- Colt pistol price list, 1877Source: advertisement in the Army Navy Journal, Sep 15, 1877, p. 1
- Farm implement prices, 1873 and 1889This source shows how many bushels of grain a farmer would have to sell in order to buy a plow, cultivator, reaper, shovel, spade, rake and other common farm tools and implements. Source: Congressional Record, vol. 25 part 3, appendix pp. 20-21 (1893).
- Agricultural implement prices - Pennsylvania, 1870-1890This two-page table shows the prices of tools and implements in Pennsylvania. Source: 18th AR of the Secretary of Internal Affairs of Pennsylvania, pp. A5-A6
- Household items and furnishings prices, early 1870sThe book The Home: Where it Should Be and What to Put in it (published 1873) includes a price list for typical items that early 1870s homes might have. Prices were likely gathered from retailers the New York City area that are credited in the preface.
- Mail order catalogs
- 1875 -- Montgomery Ward catalog
Fabrics, linens, dishes, silverware, curtains, carpet, beds, feather ticking, mosquito nets and more. - 1877-1878 -- Macy's catalog
Household linens, china, furnishings, books, toiletries, jewelry and more. - 1879 -- Wanamaker's catalog
Dishes, bedding, toys, sporting goods, scissors, and other household items. Contains no illustrations.
- Furniture prices, 1870 and 1871 - BostonThis 1871 catalog from one Boston furniture maker shows images and prices for what appears to be upscale furniture. It is unclear whether the prices listed in this catalog are consumer prices, or wholesale prices. See an 1870 edition of this catalog in the Internet Archive.
Reclining chair, 1873 - Dry goods prices - New Jersey, 1858-1878Shows average retail prices for denim, flannel, cotton, and more. Source: New Jersey Bureau of Statistics of Labor and Industries, 1st annual report, p. 278.
- Coal and firewood prices - Washington DC, 1871Price of wood by the cord and coal by the ton for furnaces, wood burning stoves, etc. Source: Washington DC newspaper.
Barbershop prices
- 1870
- North Carolina - Wilmington
- 1871
- Arizona Territory - Tucson
- 1875
- Illinois - Chicago
- 1876
- Iowa - Tipton
- 1877
- Missouri - Mexico
- 1878
- Illinois - Chicago
- Kansas - Emporia (prices at four shops)
- Kansas - Leavenworth
- 1879
- College expenses - Missouri, 1879Shows cost of housing, furniture, laundry, meals, fuel for lighting and more. Also includes estimated cost of attendance for women students and for law and medical programs. Source: University of MO catalog for 1881-1882, p. 139.
- College tuition/expenses in Illinois colleges, ca. 1875Lists every college and academy in Illinois and shows "average annual expense per student" at each. Does not separate cost of room and board. Source: 11th Biennial report, Illinois Superintendent of Public Instruction.
- Baltimore Female College - Student expenses, 1877This school had both college and prep departments.
- Medical school tuition and fees, 1870sCost to attend...
- Haverford College in Philadelphia - Tuition and board was $425/year in 1876
- University of Louisiana medical school, 1879
- University of Vermont medical school, 1876.
Image from Medical Department Annual Circular 1878-1879
BOOK PRICES, 1870s
- Book prices, 1869-1877Each issue of the monthly trade magazine The American bibliopolist includes lists of new publications and sales announcements that show prices of books.
Click 'more...' below for items from 1870-1877. - New book prices, 1872-1922Each issue of the serial publication Publishers' Weekly shows prices of newly published books, music, and periodicals in both the United States and abroad.
Click 'more...' below for issues from 1872-1879.
- Prices for amusements in San Francisco, 1876Shows admission prices for boxes and seats at theaters, opera and concert halls. Hotel rates and cab fares are also listed. Source: Annual Statistician, p. 212.
- Musical instrument prices (military), ca. 1870This military catalog lists prices for fifes, cymbals, drums, sticks, bugles and more. Source: Sons of Veterans military supply catalog.
- Books and music, 1872-1922Each issue of Publishers' Weekly shows prices of newly published books, music, and periodicals in both the United States and abroad.
- Portrait prices - Boston, 1873Boston photographer advertised $4 per dozen for "cartes des visite" photographs. Life size portraits in oil were priced at $50 to $125. Source: 1873 Boston Directory, advertising section, pp. 1189.
Foreign prices by country, 1870-1879
- Retail food prices compared across countries, 1878Two-page table compares retail prices (in U.S. dollars) of common food items in Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, England, Ireland, Scotland and the cities of Chicago and New York in the United States. Source: U.S. consular report, State of Labor in Europe, 1878.
- Prices in Ottoman Africa, 1873This table shows the prices of provisions, groceries, dry goods, rent, and board in Tunis, Tunisia and Tripoli, Libya (both of which were under Ottoman control). Source: Labor in Europe and America, pg. 736
- Australia (Melbourne only) - Prices, 1873Prices of food products (meat, vegetables, dairy), tobacco, soap, candles, salt, wine, rum, whiskey, brandy, and more. Prices expressed in pounds, shillings and pence. Source: 1873 Victorian year-book, an Australian government publication.
- Prices in Melbourne, Australia - 1878Source: 1888-1889 Victoria year-book, an Australian government publication.
- Prices throughout Austria - 1872This two-page table shows the prices of foodstuffs and fuel in Austria. Observations are classified by district and city. Average daily wages for ordinary labor by district and city is also included at the end. Source: Labor in Europe and America, pp. 599-600
- Prices throughout Belgium, 1872-1874This two-page table shows the prices of provisions, groceries, dry goods, rent, and board in Antwerp and Charleroi as well as a general average. Source: Labor in Europe and America, pp. 670-671
- Wholesale prices in Victoria, Vancouver Island, 1873This is a price list issued by a business that sold foods, alcohol and provisions in bulk. Wholesale prices for flour by the barrel and whisky by the gallon, 50-pound boxes of soap, and much more.
- Retail prices throughout Canada, 1872-1874This table shows the price of provisions, dry goods, rent, and board in Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward's Island, Newfoundland, and Jamaica. Source: Labor in Europe and America, pp. 834-839
- Prices throughout Denmark, 1872This two-page table shows the prices of provisions, groceries, dry goods, rent, and board in Copenhagen and Elsinore. Source: Labor in Europe and America, pp. 704-705
- Price of provisions - Paris, 1871This table shows the price of various essential foodstuffs in Parisian markets. Prices are shown in both contemporary French and US currency. Source: Labor in Europe and America, pg. 454
- Effects of the Franco-Prussian War on Prices, ParisPages 463-465 shows the prices of provisions, groceries, clothing, and other goods in Paris both before (1870) and after (1872) the Franco-Prussia War. Source: Labor in Europe and America, pp. 463-465
- Retail prices throughout France, 1874This table shows the price of provisions, dry goods, rent, and board in Lyons, Nice, Marseilles, Nantes. Source: Labor in Europe and America, pg. 485
- Food prices in Berlin, 1874Pages 559-564 show the highest, lowest, and average price of various foodstuffs and provisions in Berlin markets from January to October of 1874. Source: Labor in Europe and America, pp. 559-564
- Cost of living - Germany, 1872-1873Pages 569-571 show the average weekly expenses for goods and housing as well the cumulative weekly expenses and earnings of typical four and six person households in 7 different German cities. Source: Labor in Europe and America, pp. 569-571
- Retail prices throughout Great Britain, 1872-1874This table shows the price of provisions, dry goods, rent, and board in various British towns and counties as well as in Wales, Scotland, and Ireland. Source: Labor in Europe and America, pp. 371-375
- Retail prices in Great BritainShows retail prices of bread throughout the UK as well as other foodstuffs in London from the colonial period up to the 1880s. Source: Wholesale and retail prices in the United Kingdom.
- England - Food prices and rent for cottages and land - 1770, 1850 and 1878Table at bottom of page 531 compares the price of bread, meat and butter, as well as the rent for a laborer's cottage and rent of cultivated land per acre. Includes farm labor wages as well. All amounts expressed in shillings.
- Average house rent in Great Britain, 1821-1881Amounts shown in British currency. Source: Mulhill's Dictionary of Statistics, p. 236.
- Home furnishings catalog - England, 1875Illustrated catalog shows furniture prices. Includes a section that estimates the total cost to furnish homes of various sizes on pp. 158-169. Source: Laverton & Co.
- England - Bread prices, 1847-1880Shows average prices of bread in England for each year from 1660-1899 on pages 27-35. Source: Three Centuries of Prices of Wheat, Flour and Bread (not a government document). The introduction to this table explains that these prices are for the type of bread consumed by lower middle classes, not the "fancy bread." Price sources are provided on page 21-22.
- Medicine prices, 1875 - BirminghamRetail prices shown in W. R. Hedges' price current of genuine drugs, chemicals, patent medicines, &c. &c. published 1875 in Birmingham. See also the Pocket Price List for 1876.
- Day care for children, 1875The typical charge was 3.5 to 4 pence per child, per day. When schooling became compulsory, need for day care increased because older children could no longer care for younger siblings while their mother worked. Source: Bazaar, exchange and mart, Mar 27, 1875,. p. 235.
- Cotton goods prices - United Kingdom, 1867-1884Shows average annual prices (in cents) of cotton, cotton yarn, and cotton cloth. Source: Quarterly reports of the chief of the Bureau of statistics 1884-85, no. 3.
- Prices throughout Greece - 1872This two-page table shows the prices of provisions, groceries, dry goods, rent, and board in Piraeus and Syra, Greece. Source: Labor in Europe and America, pp. 638-639
- India - Salt retail price, annual averages for 1861-1890Tells how much salt one rupee could buy in the various districts and provinces in India in each year from 1861-1890. The quantity of salt is given in seers. 80 tolahs = 1 seer.
- Italy - Food prices in Milan, 1801-1908Lists prices of wheat, bread, wine, beef, pork, butter and rice. Source: Bulletin of the U.S. Bureau of Labor, Vol. 20 #87, pp. 599-607.
- Prices throughout Italy, 1873This two-page table shows the prices of provisions, groceries, dry goods, rent, and board in 6 Italian cities including Venice, Genoa, and Milan. Source: Labor in Europe and America, pp. 630-631
- Prices of food and essentials - Odessa, 1872This table shows the prices of provisions, groceries, dry goods, rent, and board in Odessa, Russia located in modern-day Ukraine. Source: Labor in Europe and America, pg. 733
- Grain prices - Sweden, 1836-1900This table shows average prices for wheat, rye, barley, and oats in Sweden for 1836 to 1900. Annual consumption per inhabitant for wheat and rye, potatoes, coffee, tea, sugar and alcoholic beverages, p. 156.
- Prices throughout Switzerland - 1872-1873This two-page table shows the prices of provisions, groceries, dry goods, rent, and board in various Swiss cities. Cities include Basle, Zurich, Chaux de Fond. Source: Labor in Europe and America, pp. 612-613
Analysis and calculators, 1870s
- Nineteenth century wage trendsBrief booklet reviews wage trends from 1800-1899. Source: U.S. BLS Staff Paper #2.
- Online calculator: Present-day purchasing power of historic monetary amountsThe MeasuringWorth.com website provides online calculators, guides and tutorials to help researchers understand historic monetary purchases and payments in present-day terms, for the United States, Australia, Spain and the United Kingdom.
- Currency converter, 1270–2017This calculator can be used to determine the historical purchasing power of currency in the United Kingdom from 1270 to 2017. Purchasing power is represented in its equivalence in horses, wheat, the yearly wages of a skilled tradesperson, and others.
- "How much is that in real money? A historical price index..."Provides explanations and charts to help users calculate the current value of historic dollar amounts. Source: Proceedings of the American Antiquarian Assn., Vol. 101 #2. Source
Timeline - Economic events of the 1870s
"75 Years of American Finance: A Graphic Presentation 1861-1935"
Source: Federal Reserve Bank of Saint Louis.
(Click image for detail)
"75 Years of American Finance: A Graphic Presentation 1861-1935"
Source: Federal Reserve Bank of Saint Louis.
(Click image for detail)
"75 Years of American Finance: A Graphic Presentation 1861-1935"
Source: Federal Reserve Bank of Saint Louis.
(Click image for detail)
"75 Years of American Finance: A Graphic Presentation 1861-1935"
Source: Federal Reserve Bank of Saint Louis.
(Click image for detail)
"75 Years of American Finance: A Graphic Presentation 1861-1935"
Source: Federal Reserve Bank of Saint Louis.
(Click image for detail)
"75 Years of American Finance: A Graphic Presentation 1861-1935"
Source: Federal Reserve Bank of Saint Louis.
(Click image for detail)
"75 Years of American Finance: A Graphic Presentation 1861-1935"
Source: Federal Reserve Bank of Saint Louis.
(Click image for detail)
"75 Years of American Finance: A Graphic Presentation 1861-1935"
Source: Federal Reserve Bank of Saint Louis.
(Click image for detail)
"75 Years of American Finance: A Graphic Presentation 1861-1935"
Source: Federal Reserve Bank of Saint Louis.
(Click image for detail)
"75 Years of American Finance: A Graphic Presentation 1861-1935"
Source: Federal Reserve Bank of Saint Louis.
(Click image for detail)
"75 Years of American Finance: A Graphic Presentation 1861-1935"
Source: Federal Reserve Bank of Saint Louis
Ask a Question
Marie Concannon, Government Information Librarian
Government Documents Department, Ellis Library
University of Missouri, Columbia
Email: concannonm@missouri.edu
Phone (573) 882-0748
