1938 Cost of Living. LIVING: New House $3,900.00, Average Income $1,731.00 per year, New Car $860.00, Average Rent $27.00 per month, Tuition to Harvard University $420.00 per year, Movie Ticket 25¢ each, Gasoline 10¢ per gallon, United States Postage Stamp 3¢ each. FOOD: Granulated Sugar 59¢ for 10 pounds, Vitamin D Milk 50¢ per gallon, Ground Coff