Born in 1972

What the world looked like the year you arrived: prices, names, music and who was in charge.

Chinese zodiac

Water Rat

from Feb 15, 1972. Born earlier? Pig.

Generation

Gen X

President

Richard Nixon

#1 baby names

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What things cost

Sample data

Gallon of gas

$0.36

US average, regular (1970 figure)

$2.77 in 2025 dollars

First-class stamp

8¢

US Postal Service

$0.62 in 2025 dollars

Minimum wage

$1.60/hr

federal

New home

$29,800

median price, estimated

$229,489 in 2025 dollars

Movie ticket

$1.75

US average, estimated

$13.48 in 2025 dollars

New car

$4,100

average price, estimated

US national figures in then-dollars, at mid-year. Some figures are estimates. Computer, game system and TV prices are launch prices of landmark models, and the game price is an approximate range for that era, so none of them is an average.

Pop culture

Sample data

Pop culture for 1972 is still being added.

Famous people born in 1972

Sample data

Famous people born in 1972 are still being added.

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