Thanks you to all who have responded and continue to respond to my plea for help in comparing income and living costs by decade for the period 1800-1900 inclusive. Thought I might share a few tidbits with you which were received. A bookkeeper in 1890 in Elmira living in a boarding house spent 48% of their total income for food and lodging. An umbrella in 1890 cost $3.00 (equivalent to $54.00 in 1999) An 1890 band concert at .30($5.40 in 1999 dollars) was the bargain of the year. A new buggy whip in 1877 cost $1..($17.00 in 1999 dollars) Land in 1862 selling for $10.00 acre($180.00 approximate 1999 equivalent) sold for $4300 acre in 1986. Partially productive, partially unproductive land. Again thanks for your respondse. Ken Sullivan Canyon Lake, Ca