Nothing quite says “1970s sitcom” like the show, “All in the Family.” Whether you’re old enough to remember its original run or you’ve spent a few dozen hours (roughly 72 in all) watching reruns, the show’s probably stuck with you.
But like many shows set in decades past, looking back through a modern lens might have you asking a few questions. One of the big ones (which you’ve probably also asked about shows like “Friends”) is, “Hey, how did they afford that sweet home?”
Just how much was Archie Bunker’s house worth during the show’s run, and how long would it take you to buy it today?
Archie Bunker’s Real-World House
“All in the Family” was filmed in California, but Archie Bunker’s house was located at 704 Hauser Street in Astoria, Queens. Unfortunately, neither the street nor the interior of that house is real.
That said, some of the exterior shots were done using an actual (and still standing) house in Queens. That house is located to the southeast at 89-70 Cooper Avenue in the Glendale neighborhood. It’s currently a 1,312-square-foot tourist attraction. As for what it’s worth today, ballpark estimates put it at $820,000.
While we couldn’t find sales documents for this address in the period that the Bunkers “lived” there, NYC’s ACRIS property records documents a mortgage on a house three doors down document for $12,500 in 1968. Given the similarity of these row-homes, it’s reasonable to assume a similar value in a stable post-war real estate period. With a monthly payment of just $90.38 on a 30-year mortgage, Archie’s middle age and golden years looked like smooth sailing until the house was paid off.
Archie’s ill-informed working man rants sprayed a broad target, so we’d love to hear his outrage when informed that The Inflation Calculator shows that purchase price as a mere $112,156 today. More specific to housing, the website In 2013 Dollars puts the home at $136,566 in 2026.
Even if we mark his home’s 1970 value at the typical $27,000 average recorded by Norada Real Estate, the more typical $226,335 home price today is a mere 28% of the $820,000 figure. But how did it compare to his typical annual income vs. the 10-15 years’ salary that a normal NYC income would take to buy it in 2026?
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Buying Archie Bunker’s House Today (As a Millennial)
When the show first started, Archie himself (primarily played by Carroll O’Connor) was in his mid- to late-40s. That’s not far off from today’s oldest millennials, who are between 30 and 45 years old.
Imagine “All in the Family” as a work of nonfiction with a very Archie Bunker and an equally real house. If you’re a millennial wanting to buy the same (or a similar) home at that price point, how long would it take you to do so?
To make things simple, assume you followed Archie’s same general career path. Job titles and wages have been updated to reflect today’s standards.
Longshoreman/Dock Foreman
Archie Bunker was a loading dock foreman for a good part of the series. As per ZipRecruiter, the average national pay for this profession is $50,690 annually. In New York, it’s around $46,587.
As a longshoreman in 1971, Archie would have benefitted from the recent strike for higher wages and benefits, sending his salary up to a hard-won $5 an hour, according to the International Longshore & Warehouse Union. While it sounds like unbelievably low compensation for a demanding job, Archie could have handily paid his mortgage in under a week of work, even at the $27,000 home valuation. We can also assume that as a foreman, he would have made even more per hour.
Part-Time Cabbie/Uber Driver
In Queens, your typical cab driver gets paid an average of $15.53 an hour. Working full-time, this equates to roughly $32,309 annually. A part-time driver would make less, though the exact amount depends on the number of hours worked (and other factors like tips).
A similar job today is rideshare driver for companies like Uber or Lyft. According to Indeed, the typical Uber driver earns $20.57 an hour. That’s about $42,786 a year.
Bar Owner
BinWise, a BlueCart Company, estimates bar owners have an average net profit margin of around 10% to 15%. Running a bar costs around $24,200 monthly and brings in about $27,500. Once you’ve accounted for expenses, you’re bringing in about $39,600 net each year.
How Long It’d Take To Save up for Archie’s Home Today
The short answer: It might not be feasible unless you get a no-money-down mortgage loan (or outside help). Unless you benefit from a VA Home Purchase Loan or similar deal, you’re going to trigger private mortgage insurance and ultimately end up paying much more in the long run — a whopping 2% per year!
These are income estimates and figures can vary wildly, so assume typical earnings. When you average them out, your annual income is $42,991.
Now, take a look at the cost of Archie Bunker’s home. It’s valued at about $820,000. Here’s what a down payment might look like on that home today:
- 3.5% — $28,700
- 5% — $41,000
- 10% — $82,000
- 20% — $164,000
In the northern mid-Atlantic region, the average household annual expenditure is $91,520, according to the BLS. That’s more than double what you’d be making with Archie Bunker’s rough salary estimates. This means you’d likely need to get a couple of roommates to afford living in Queens at all. Saving up for a down payment on any house, especially one that’s just in view of $1 million, would have to wait until your income increases.
Archie was also a World War II veteran. It’s possible that a millennial in a similar position would qualify for a 0% down home loan through Veteran’s Affairs. This means you wouldn’t need to take any time at all to save up.
But consider the trade-off. A lower down payment (or no down payment) usually means higher monthly payments and overall interest charges.
The current average rate on a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage is 6.10%. Assuming no money down, the monthly payment for a $820,000 house would be around $4,969. That’s excluding taxes and other fees.
Bottom Line: It’s Probably Not Very Feasible
Ultimately, it’s unlikely a millennial today (following Archie Bunker’s career path) would be able to afford his home in Queens, NY. Even if your earnings are relatively higher than his, the gulf between wage increases and soaring home values has grown disparately more and more over the decades.
Forbes estimates the average person ages 25 to 34 earns $58,500 annually. For those ages 35 to 44, that figure increases to $69,264. With that kind of income, buying a house is a little more in reach. But it’d still take months or years to do it without help.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: How Long Would It Take a Millennial To Buy Archie Bunker’s House Today?
