1930-1940

In terms of median home prices, we found that in 1940, numbers sat at around $2,938. The annual inflation rate rose from -2.7% in 1930 to 0.7% 10 years later.

Due to the stock market crash of 1929, it was the 1930s that felt the full impact. The worst depression in American history would not rebound until the outbreak of World War II in 1939.

By far the worst time period was between 1930 and 1933 when the stock market continued its downward spiral. From September 1929 to June 1932, the S&P 500 dropped a total of 86.1%, while the Dow also hit its lowest point. It bottomed out in the summer of 1932 before things finally started taking a turn for the better.