Costs
This page gathers together various bits of information I have managed to acquire about the cost of living in the 18th century. Prices did vary over time and place and so should be regarded only as approximate.
The main source is Liza Picard's Dr Johnson's London (Phoenix Press, 2000).
| Food | |
|---|---|
| Half a loaf | 1/2d |
| Supper of bread, cheese and beer | 3d |
| Pound of cheese | 4d - 6d |
| Dinner of cold meat, bread and a pint of porter | 6 1/4d |
| Pound of butter | 8d - 10d |
| Pound of fat bacon | 10d - 1s |
| Dozen Seville Oranges | 10d - 1s |
| Dinner in a steakhouse beef, bread and beer (plus tip) | 1s |
| Dish of beef at Vauxhall gardens | 1s |
| Pound of Parmesan cheese | 1s |
| Whole pig | 2s 6d |
| Dinner sent in from a tavern | 2s 6d |
| Chicken at Vauxhall gardens | 2s 6d |
| Barrel of Colchester oysters | 3s 3d |
| Dozen rabbits | 7s |
| Drink | |
| Enough gin to get drunk | 1d |
| Enough gin to get completely plastered | 2d |
| Quart of beer | 4d |
| Pound of Fry's Drinking chocolate | 5s |
| Bottle of Claret at Vauxhall gardens | 5s |
| Pound of Coffee | 4s 9d - 6s |
| Pound of Tea | 7s 6d - 16s |
| Bottle of Champagne at Vauxhall gardens | 8s |
| Cloth and Clothing | |
| Pair of men's yarn stockings | 3s 2d |
| Working woman's petticoat | 4s 6d |
| Pair of women's worsted stockings | 5s 7d |
| Working woman's pair of stays | 6s |
| Working woman's gown | 6s 6d |
| Pair of men's lace ruffles | 16s |
| Pair of men's silk stockings | 17s 4d |
| Beaver hat | £1 1s |
| Pair of velvet breeches | £1 10s |
| Sack dress | £1 10s 6d |
| Pair of stout silk-knit breeches | £1 12s |
| Suit of Clothes for clerk in public office | £4 10s |
| Man's suit | £6 - £8 |
| Accessories | |
| Pound of Hair Powder | 5d |
| Wigs | 10s 6d - £1 15s |
| Silver hilted sword | £5 |
| Silver watch | £5 5s |
| Cloth | |
| 14 1/2 yards of Indian sprigged muslin | 9s |
| Yard of mechlin lace | 13s 10d |
| Yard of brocaded silk | 18s 6d |