Born in 1974

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

Chinese zodiac

Wood Tiger

from Jan 23, 1974. Born earlier? Ox.

Generation

Gen X

President

Richard Nixon, then Gerald Ford

#1 baby names

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What things cost

Sample data

Gallon of gas

$0.36

US average, regular (1970 figure)

$2.35 in 2025 dollars

First-class stamp

10¢

US Postal Service

$0.65 in 2025 dollars

Minimum wage

$2.00/hr

federal

New home

$36,100

median price, estimated

$235,712 in 2025 dollars

Movie ticket

$1.95

US average, estimated

$12.73 in 2025 dollars

New car

$4,700

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 1974 is still being added.

Famous people born in 1974

Sample data

Famous people born in 1974 are still being added.

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