Everywhere you turn, someone is sighing about how “things used to be better.” College is too expensive. Cars cost too much. Housing is out of reach. Social media is ruining everything. It’s a chorus of complaints that could soundtrack any coffee shop in America.
But here’s the truth no one wants to admit: by almost every meaningful measure, we’ve never been better off than we are today. The “good old days” weren’t nearly as good as people imagine. Let’s do a quick reality check.
Education: More People Learning, More People Earning
In 1950, only about half of Americans even graduated from high school. College was reserved for the elite few—just 6% of adults had a bachelor’s degree. Fast forward to today: over 90% of adults finish high school and more than one in three have a college degree. That’s not a minor leap—it’s a complete shift in opportunity.
Yes, tuition prices have gone up. But so have financial aid, scholarships, and income levels for degree holders. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that in 2023, the median weekly earnings for college grads were 67% higher than those without a degree. That’s not just a number; it’s a lifetime of better jobs, more financial stability, and broader career choices.
Housing: Bigger, Better, Safer
Critics love to complain that their parents bought a house in 1970 for the price of a used Toyota. True, housing is more expensive—but houses are also radically different. In 1950, the average new home was 983 square feet. Today, it’s over 2,300 square feet—with central heating, air conditioning, multiple bathrooms, insulation that actually works, and kitchens that don’t resemble camping gear.
Homes today are safer (smoke detectors weren’t standard until the 1970s), more energy efficient, and come with conveniences that our grandparents couldn’t dream of. A “starter home” now is often larger than the dream home of 1965.
Cars: From Clunkers to Computers on Wheels
In the so-called good old days, cars were stylish—but they were also gas-guzzling death traps. In 1970, highway fatalities in the U.S. were nearly 55,000 per year, despite having half as many drivers as today. Thanks to airbags, seatbelts, crumple zones, and driver-assist technology, that number is now closer to 40,000, even with far more cars on the road.
Oh, and fuel efficiency? The average car in 1975 got about 13 miles per gallon. Today’s average is closer to 26 mpg, with hybrids and EVs pushing 50–100+. Complaining about the price of cars while ignoring the fact that your vehicle is safer, lasts longer, and costs less to run is missing the forest for the trees.
Health & Longevity: The Real Game Changer
In 1960, the average American could expect to live to about 70 years old. Today, it’s nearly 79. Infant mortality has dropped by over 80% in the same period. Diseases that once crippled or killed millions—polio, measles, smallpox—are either eradicated or manageable. Even cancer survival rates have risen dramatically thanks to medical advances.
And here’s a small perk: dental care. In 1950, dentures were practically a rite of passage by middle age. Today, most people keep their own teeth for life. Not glamorous, but ask anyone who remembers life without Novocain.
Technology: A Supercomputer in Your Pocket
Let’s not forget: the smartphone in your hand has more computing power than NASA had to land Apollo 11 on the moon. For free—or nearly free—you can stream music, navigate anywhere on Earth, video chat across continents, or take an online course from Harvard. It’s fashionable to complain about screen time, but the fact that anyone can access the sum of human knowledge while waiting in line at Culver’s is nothing short of miraculous.
The “Good Old Days” Weren’t That Good
Nostalgia is tricky. It filters out the hard parts and leaves a golden haze. Yes, things cost less on paper—but incomes were lower, life was harder, and options were fewer. The average person worked longer hours, had fewer educational opportunities, and faced far greater risks in daily life.
So the next time someone pines for the past, ask them: would you trade today’s comforts, health, and opportunity for a 1,000-square-foot ranch house, a carburetor you had to fix every other month, and a life expectancy of 68?
We don’t live in a perfect world, but compared to what came before, there’s never been a better time to be alive.