If you’ve noticed that life seems more expensive nowadays, you’re not alone. Some everyday items and services have become unreasonably pricey, leaving people questioning why they’re shelling out so much for basic necessities. What were once affordable goods have now turned into luxury items that are out of reach for many.
From essential products to occasional indulgences, we’ve identified 23 things that are excessively expensive in today’s market.
1. Baby Formula
Parents will relate to this one. The average monthly cost of baby formula for exclusively formula-fed babies ranges from $100 to $150, totaling $1,200 to $1,500 per year. Factors such as production costs, supply chain complications, import/export fees, and inflated retail prices contribute to the high price tag.
2. Gym Memberships
Gym memberships, especially at upscale or boutique fitness centers, can set you back hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars monthly. While these facilities may offer fancy amenities, budget gyms like Planet Fitness or Crunch Fitness deliver similar results at a fraction of the cost.
3. Pre-Cut Produce
Convenience comes at a cost when it comes to pre-cut produce like diced watermelon or sliced cheese. However, paying double or triple for someone (or a machine) to chop your food may not always seem justified.
4. Bottled Water
Once a cheap convenience, bottled water has now seen a significant price hike, sometimes exceeding the cost of a soda can. Premium brands market their products as “purified” or “spring” water, capitalizing on convenience and health trends, despite tap water often being just as clean and more affordable.
5. Airport Food
Dining at the airport can feel like a luxury tax, with food prices nearly double compared to outside venues. Limited competition and a captive customer base enable vendors to charge exorbitant rates, making a simple croissant or coffee a pricey affair.
6. Movie Theater Popcorn
The price of popcorn at movie theaters has skyrocketed, sometimes equaling the cost of a movie ticket itself. Theatres rely heavily on concessions for profit due to studios taking a large share of ticket sales, leaving customers feeling overcharged for a snack that costs little to produce.
7. College Tuition
Since the 1980s, the cost of higher education has soared, leading students to take out multiple loans to cover tuition expenses. This trend has burdened many with debt and financial strain, raising questions about whether the value of a degree justifies its hefty cost.
8. Concert Tickets
Attending a live show was once an affordable pleasure, but now tickets come with steep prices and additional fees, making them a luxury only accessible to some. With VIP upgrades, dynamic pricing, and scalping, concert tickets have become unaffordable for many music lovers.
and ticket resellers are contributing to higher costs, making it difficult for many fans to afford events they once enjoyed. The average price of a to-go drip coffee is around $2.50, but can easily exceed $5 with added flavors or upgrades like lattes. Consider the savings of making coffee at home before splurging at a coffee shop. Subscription services, such as streaming platforms, have raised prices by introducing ad-free tiers, making them as expensive as cable TV. The housing market has experienced extreme price inflation since the Great Recession, leading to unattainable homeownership and skyrocketing rent prices. Used cars, once a budget-friendly option, have surged in price due to supply chain issues and high demand. Child care costs have reached new heights, posing challenges for many families in the U.S. Toilet paper and furniture prices have sharply increased due to supply chain disruptions and heightened demand, forcing consumers to reconsider their purchasing strategies. Car repairs have become more expensive as maintenance costs rise, making routine fixes costly for car owners. Traditional weddings come with hefty expenses, with vendors charging a premium for every aspect of the event.
From flowers and pictures to food and drinks, many couples are feeling the pressure to overspend in the wedding industry. The average cost of a wedding has skyrocketed to tens of thousands of dollars, leading many couples to go into debt just to cover the expenses. College textbooks have also become outrageously expensive, with prices often exceeding hundreds of dollars per book, making it difficult for cash-strapped students to afford them. Publishers frequently release new editions with minimal changes, forcing students to buy the latest version. As a result, there has been a shift towards open-access resources and textbook rentals. Skincare and beauty products have seen price increases, with luxury brands driving up costs despite more affordable options providing similar results. Rental prices for homes, Airbnbs, tools, and electronics have surged as property owners pass on their higher costs to consumers. Hotel prices have also risen significantly, even for basic accommodations, making travel more expensive for many. The cost of pet food has gone up, particularly for premium brands offering high-quality ingredients. The price of insulin, a life-saving medication for diabetics, was once exorbitant before a cap was put in place in January 2023. Despite this, some individuals still struggle to afford this essential medicine. To explore more expensive items, check out articles such as “10 Photos That Show Why Birthday Parties Are Way More Expensive Now” and “12 Stupidly Expensive Versions of Everyday Products.” Additionally, discover “12 of the Most Expensive Mistakes People Have Made” and “19 Rare and Expensive Foods From Around the World.” If you’re curious about the spending habits of the wealthy, read about “15 Hobbies That Prove the Wealthy Live on Another Planet.”
