RomanceEverAfter

Romantic Tales - U.S. Civil War

The Cost of Home & Housing

It is always interesting to look back and see what goods and services cost in the past.  Even going back only thirty years, the cost of cars, houses, and clothes are vastly different than today.  Such is the case when viewing the cost of homes and housing during the Civil War. How far did a citizen go with $40, $100, or $1,000?

Owning Your Own Home

In the 1840s, you could purchase a prairie-style farmhouse for as little as $800 to as much as $1,000.  Within ten years, you could buy a modest farmhouse for $2,000-$3,000.  A larger farmhouse would cost you up to $6,000.  For the U.S. citizen with money to spend, you could purchase a large, upscale country house for $14,000.

Rental Property & Housing

For those fortunate enough to be able to rent a home, you could do so for approximately $500 per year.  However, if you lived in a wartime affected area, the cost could be twice as high. 

Rental housing also consisted of a boarding house ($30-$40 a month in 1862) or a furnished home, which would cost about $80 per month. A rooming house was another option for rental.  An individual could receive both room and board for $50 a month in 1863.  For those with little or no funds, a stable could be rented for $15 per year. 

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