What a Car Cost in 1930: Ranges, Examples, and Today’s Equivalents

In the United States in 1930, a typical new mass‑market car cost about $500–$700 (roughly $9,000–$13,000 in 2025 dollars), mid‑priced models ran about $900–$1,500, and luxury cars ranged from $2,500 to well over $5,000. Prices varied by make, body style, and features, and were shaped by the early impacts of the Great Depression. Below, we break down representative models, price ranges, and how those figures translate today.

Typical 1930 Price Ranges (U.S.)

The following ranges reflect common list prices for new cars sold in the American market in 1930, spanning economy to luxury segments. They capture where most buyers landed during a period of rapid industry competition and economic uncertainty.

• Mass‑market cars (Ford, Chevrolet, Plymouth): about $450–$700
• Mid‑priced cars (Buick, Oldsmobile, Studebaker): about $900–$1,500
• Luxury cars (Packard, Cadillac, Lincoln): about $2,500–$5,000+, with custom coachbuilt models higher

These ranges summarize the spectrum of choices available to buyers, from basic transportation to high‑end touring cars, and provide a baseline for comparison across brands and trims.

Notable 1930 Models and Their Prices

Here are representative 1930 model-year examples and typical list prices at the time. Figures varied by body style (roadster, coupe, sedan, phaeton), trim, and equipment, and could shift during the year.

• Ford Model A Tudor Sedan: about $495–$540
• Ford Model A Roadster: about $435–$475
• Chevrolet Universal Series AD (Coach/Sedan): about $595–$675
• Plymouth Model U (coupes/sedans): about $670–$725
• Oldsmobile (Series F/Special): roughly $900–$1,100
• Buick Series 40: roughly $1,095–$1,295
• Studebaker (Commander/Dictator): roughly $1,100–$1,600
• Packard Standard Eight: roughly $2,500–$3,200
• Cadillac V‑16: commonly $5,000–$8,000+, depending on coachwork

These examples show how a buyer in 1930 could spend under $500 for a basic roadster or many times that for a bespoke luxury automobile, especially when ordering premium coachbuilt bodies.

What Those Prices Mean in 2025 Dollars

Using the long-run Consumer Price Index, $1 in 1930 equates to roughly $18–$19 in 2025. The following conversions provide practical benchmarks for comparing 1930 prices with today’s costs.

• $500 in 1930 ≈ about $9,000–$9,500 today
• $600 in 1930 ≈ about $11,000–$11,500 today
• $700 in 1930 ≈ about $12,500–$13,500 today
• $1,000 in 1930 ≈ about $18,000–$19,000 today
• $2,500 in 1930 ≈ about $45,000–$47,500 today
• $5,000 in 1930 ≈ about $90,000–$95,000 today

While inflation adjustment is useful, it doesn’t capture changes in safety, performance, durability, and equipment. Relative to income and features, the mass‑market car of 1930 occupied a different place in household budgets than a new car does today.

What Affected Car Prices in 1930

Multiple forces shaped sticker prices in 1930, from macroeconomics to manufacturing methods. The points below highlight key drivers.

• Economic climate: The onset of the Great Depression (late 1929) pressured demand; deflation and factory competition put downward pressure on prices over the next few years.
• Body style and equipment: Enclosed steel bodies, synchromesh transmissions (on many mid‑range cars), hydraulic brakes on some makes, heaters, dual side‑mounts, and bumpers could add cost.
• Scale and efficiency: High‑volume makers (Ford, Chevrolet) leveraged mass production to keep entry prices low.
• Materials and tariffs: Steel, rubber, and import duties influenced production costs and retail prices.
• Freight and regional variance: Destination charges and local dealer practices created modest geographic price differences.

Taken together, these factors meant that buyers could find substantial value in popular models, while specialized features or prestige brands commanded significant premiums.

Affordability in Context

Average U.S. household income around 1930 was roughly $1,300 per year, so a $600 car represented about 45% of annual income—a significant purchase. Installment financing (time payments) was already common by 1930, helping households spread costs during a period of falling wages and rising uncertainty.

How to Estimate a Specific Car’s 1930 Cost Today

If you’re researching a particular 1930 model, the steps below help you produce a reasonable modern-dollar comparison.

1. Identify the exact year, make, model, and body style (e.g., 1930 Ford Model A Tudor Sedan).
2. Locate the period list price from factory catalogs or period advertisements for that configuration.
3. Apply a CPI multiplier of roughly 18–19× to translate the 1930 price to 2025 dollars.
4. Compare the adjusted figure to today’s vehicle segments to gauge relative market position.

This approach yields a consistent, apples‑to‑apples estimate while acknowledging that technology and safety standards have transformed the value proposition of modern cars.

Summary

In 1930 America, most new mass‑market cars cost about $500–$700, mid‑range models $900–$1,500, and luxury cars $2,500 to $5,000 or more. In 2025 dollars, that’s roughly $9,000–$13,000 for everyday cars, mid‑teens to high‑teens for mid‑range, and around $45,000 to well over $90,000 for luxury. Prices reflected early Depression-era economics, manufacturing scale, and equipment levels, offering buyers a wide spread from basic transportation to opulent coachbuilt machines.

How much did a house cost in 1930?

In 1930, the median price for a house was around $6,106, though a new home could cost about $7,145. The exact cost varied by location, with a new home in California being worth about $3,527 and a home in New Mexico costing roughly $656 in 1940. 
Here are some key figures for the year 1930: 

• Median Home Price: Approximately $6,106.
• Average New Home: Around $7,145.
• Average Income: About $1,970 per year.

Keep in mind that these prices are national averages, and the cost of a house could differ significantly based on factors such as:

• Location: A house in California would be more expensive than a house in New Mexico. 
• Time within the year: Prices fluctuated, so a house bought later in the year would have a different price than a house bought earlier. 
• Real estate market: The market was in the early stages of the Great Depression, which impacted prices. 

How much was a new car in 1934?

1934 was the highlight of the Ford V8s; they were solid, dependable and pretty cars and most importantly at $575.00 brand new, still a bargain. Most of the styling changes on the 1934 cars were carried over from the 1933 model year upgrades.

How much did a car cost in 1930?

In 1930, the average new car cost was around $600, though prices varied significantly by model. For example, a 1930 Ford Model A could be purchased for $440 to $625 depending on the body style, while luxury brands like Cadillac and Packard would have cost significantly more.
 
Price Examples: 

• Ford Model A Phaeton: Around $440
• Ford Model A De Luxe Phaeton: Around $625
• Chevrolet Coach: Around $500
• Chevrolet 1.5 ton Cab Chassis: Around $625

Factors Influencing Price: 

• Make and Model: Luxury vehicles were much more expensive than mass-produced cars like the Ford Model A.
• Body Style: Different configurations, such as phaetons, roadsters, and coach models, had different price points.
• Accessories: Prices listed were often for the base model without accessories.

What was the price of a new car in 1935?

A new car in 1935 could cost anywhere from under $500 to over $700, with prices varying significantly by make and model, and some sources reporting the average delivered price around $850. For example, a basic 1935 Ford V-8 Coupe was about $495, while a more expensive 1935 Plymouth P2 Westchester Sedan was $765, with the typical Deluxe Sedan being $680. 
Here are some examples of 1935 car prices: 

• Ford V-8 Coupe: $495
• 1935 Plymouth P1 Business Coupe: $510 FOB Detroit
• 1935 Plymouth P2 Westchester Four Door Sedan: $765
• 1935 Plymouth P2 Deluxe Four Door Sedan: $680
• Hudson Eight: $760
• Average price for a new car: $853.17