in the 50's here are a listo of what it cost to run a home.

Married couple setting up house on £500 per annum.(After income tax and national insurance have been deducted)
Rent, rates and insurance. £150
Food and laundry for two. £156
Fuel, including coal, gas and electricity. £50

Clothes and personal expenses. £70
Holidays and amusements.. £40
Margin for special expenses. £20
Savings. £14
Total £500

Licenses.
Radio: (sound only) £1; Television and sound £3. Renewable annually on the date first taken out.
Dogs: 7/6; (puppies under six months of age, dogs kept by blind people and sheep dogs are exempt). Renewable annually.

Married couple with two young children; income £780 per annum.(After income tax and national insurance have been paid).This couple are buying their own house.
Mortgage and interest. £120
Rates and Schedule "A" Tax. £33
Maintenance and repairs. £21
Food. £236
Household expenses. £76
Clothes for wife and two children. £52
Clothes for husband. £26
Fuel £52
Life assurance. £24
Telephone. £15
Holiday and household replacement fund. £30
Husbands lunches and fares. £52
Miscellaneous. £43
Total £780