In 1986 I could buy a Radio Shack 19” color TV (the biggest they sold) for $499.95.
Currently, on the Walmart web site, I can get the VIZIO 75” Mini LED Quantum 4K QLED HDR Smart TV (NEW 2026) VQM75C-10 for $498.00.
I have in my pocket a computer/telephone that is many time more powerful than a desktop computer of 20 years ago and costs half as much.
In 2002 a gallon of milk was $2.78. I just bought a gallon of milk for $2.95.
I could go on, but you get the point.
Some things are more expensive, some things are less.
The problem is that housing, medicine, and education are way up.
“yesthatjallen
In 1986 I could buy a Radio Shack 19” color TV (the biggest they sold) for $499.95.”
I bought a Sony Trinitron for that in 1980.