Black and White Televisions:
- Small Screen (10-12 inches): $150 - $250
- Medium Screen (14-16 inches): $250 - $400
- Large Screen (17 inches and above): $400 - $600
Color Televisions:
Since color televisions were relatively new and still considered a luxury item in the 1950s, they were significantly more expensive than black and white models.
- Small Screen (10-12 inches): $500 - $700
- Medium Screen (14-16 inches): $700 - $900
- Large Screen (17 inches and above): $900 - $1,200
It's important to note that these prices are in 1950s US dollars and have not been adjusted for inflation. For comparison, a 1950's dollar was worth approximately 12.5 times more when compared to a 2023 dollar, thus making those tv's equivalent to modern-day prices of $1875-$3125 for black-and-white sets, and $6250-$15000 for color sets.
Additionally, the cost of televisions was influenced by various factors such as the geographic region, the local economy, and the availability of specific models and brands.