If you were born in 1995, brace yourself—you’re turning 30 this year! While that might make you feel nostalgic (or old), it also highlights just how much the world has changed over three decades.
From the price of milk to buying a home, life in 2025 is staggeringly more expensive than it was in 1995. But how much more? Let’s take a side-by-side look at prices then vs. now and see just how far our wallets have stretched (or shrunk) over the years.
Table of Contents
🏠 Housing: The Ultimate Price Shock
📌 1995 Average House Price: £55,762
📌 2025 Average House Price: £267,500
Getting on the property ladder in 1995 was no easy feat, but it was a dream within reach compared to today’s sky-high housing market.
✔ In 1995, the average salary was around £389.70 per week, making a house about 3x the average annual income.
✔ In 2025, with an average salary of £728 per week, a home now costs more than 7x the average yearly wage.
For Londoners, the difference is even more painful—property prices have jumped from £89,000 in 1995 to a staggering £537,500 in 2025.
🏡 Verdict: If you own a home today, you’re sitting on a goldmine. If not, you’re probably wondering how anyone can afford one.
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🥛 Everyday Essentials: Milk, Eggs & Bread
🛒 Grocery Prices Then vs. Now
| Item | 1995 Price | 2025 Price | % Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🥛 Pint of Milk | 36p | 85p | 136% |
| 🍞 Loaf of Bread | 53p | 74p-£1+ | 40%+ |
| 🥚 Dozen Eggs | 63p | £2.65-£3.15 | 400%+ |
📝 Takeaway: Your morning toast and tea cost a whole lot less in the 90s. Today, even basic groceries have seen a huge surge in prices.
🍻 Drinks: The Cost of a Night Out
🥂 1995 vs. 2025 Alcohol & Beverage Prices
| Item | 1995 Price | 2025 Price | % Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🍺 Pint of Beer | £1.68 | £4.81+ | 186%+ |
| ☕ Pint of Milk | 36p | 85p-95p | 136% |
| 🥤 Mars Bar | 25p | 85p-£1 | 300%+ |
A night out in 1995 meant you could get a round of beers for under £10. Today? That might not even buy you two pints in London.
🍺 Verdict: Drinking is a luxury in 2025 compared to the affordable pub culture of the 90s.
🎬 Entertainment: From Cinema to Gaming
🎥 Going to the Movies
✔ 1995 Ticket Price: £3.48
✔ 2025 Ticket Price: £7.92 – £20 (London)
💻 Gaming & Technology
✔ 1995 PlayStation Cost: £200
✔ 2025 PS5 Cost: £390 – £500
In 1995, you could buy a brand-new PlayStation for about the cost of two cinema trips today. While gaming consoles have only doubled in price, the cost of a trip to the movies has soared—especially in London.
🚗 Fuel Prices: Driving Costs Have Skyrocketed
🚙 Fuel Prices Comparison
✔ 1995 Petrol Price (per litre): 53p
✔ 2025 Petrol Price (per litre): £1.36
Even though today’s cars are more fuel-efficient, the cost of filling your tank has more than doubled since 1995.
🚗 Verdict: Driving is no longer a cheap convenience—it’s a financial commitment.
⚽ Football: The Cost of Being a Fan
🏟️ Manchester United Season Ticket
✔ 1995: £228
✔ 2025: £579 (minimum) – £1,073 (Arsenal fans, we’re sorry)
For football lovers, loyalty costs a lot more today—and that’s just the price of a seat. Add in match-day expenses, travel, and jerseys, and the difference is even more dramatic.
🍽️ The Cost of Dining Out: Fish & Chips & Fast Food
🐟 Fish & Chips
✔ 1995 Price: £1.68
✔ 2025 Price: £9.88+ (up to £22.95 in London!)
🍜 Pot Noodle (Budget Meal)
✔ 1995 Price: 67p
✔ 2025 Price: £1.10 (on sale)
🍔 Fast Food
✔ 1995 McDonald’s Big Mac Meal: £2.29
✔ 2025 McDonald’s Big Mac Meal: £7.89+
In 1995, you could feed a family of four for under £10 at McDonald’s. In 2025? That barely covers two meals.
💰 Wages vs. Cost of Living: Are We Actually Better Off?
📊 1995 vs. 2025 Average Salary
✔ 1995: £389.70 per week (male), £306.50 (female)
✔ 2025: £728 per week (average UK salary)
While wages have almost doubled, the cost of essentials has risen at a much faster rate—especially housing, fuel, and food.
💡 Conclusion:
✔ Daily essentials, entertainment, and housing have skyrocketed in price.
✔ Wages have increased, but not enough to match the cost-of-living surge.
✔ Owning a home in 1995 was 3x your annual salary—now it’s over 7x!
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🔮 Final Thoughts: Are Things Really Better in 2025?
Looking back at 1995 vs. 2025, it’s clear that while we have more technology, higher wages, and access to more products, the cost of living has soared beyond income growth.
✔ Housing is now out of reach for many.
✔ Food, fuel, and entertainment cost significantly more.
✔ What was once a casual night out is now a financial decision.
So, were the “good old days” really that good? When it comes to affordability, 1995 wins hands down.
💬 What do you think? Is life better in 2025, or do you miss the affordability of the 90s? Let us know in the comments!
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