EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Seventy years ago, the first news programs were broadcast on WPRI-TV. But what was life like in our area 70 years ago? 12 News dug through archives to compile the average prices of some everyday items in 1955. In 1955In 2025💵 Federal minimum wage$0.75/hr (no state established its own minimum wage until the '60s)$7.25/hr(state minimum wage in both R.I. and Mass. is $15/hr)🏦 Median household income (Northeast)$4,714$86,250🏘️ Approx. median home valueR.I.: $11,000Mass.: $11,400R.I.: $518,000Mass.: $646,000🏢 Median rentR.I.: $51/monthMass.: $61/monthProvidence: $2,145/month🔌Electric bill100 kWh: $4.70200 kWh: $7.83100 kWh: $24.88200 kWh: $38.94⛽ GasolineRegular: $0.25/galPremium: $0.28/galRegular: $2.93/galPremium: $3.99/gal🛒 GroceriesSugar, 5 lb.: $0.52Eggs, 1 dozen: $0.65Milk, 1 gallon: $0.86Bread, 16 oz.: $0.15Sugar, 5 lb.: $6.40Eggs, 1 dozen: $5.99Milk, 1 gallon: $3.99Bread, 16 oz.: $1.49 All this week, we'll be taking you back in time and looking at the past 70 years of broadcasting at WPRI 12. 70 years of WPRI 12: A look back at some of the biggest moments in RI politics Sources: Bulletin of the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics / U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, no.1189-1200 1956. Historical Census of Housing Tables: Gross Rents Historical Census of Housing Tables: Home Values History of Federal Minimum Wage Rates Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, 1938 - 2009 Income of Persons in the United States: 1955 Retail food prices by cities / U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Retail Price Division, 1950 AAA Fuel Prices Federal and State Minimum Wage Rates, Annual (Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis) Median home prices in every state (Bankrate.com) Rental market trends in Providence, RI (Rent.com) stopandshop.com, accessed March 24, 2025 The median asking rent in Providence shot up 12.6% in a year (Boston.com) U.S. Census Bureau Current Population Survey, 2023 and 2024 Annual Social and Economic Supplements (CPS ASEC) Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the new 12+ smart TV app. Follow us on social media:                     Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Special Coverage & Notices SIGN UP NOW ...read more read less