What's It Worth? | Volunteer Resources

A comparison of costs throughout Margaret Brown's lifetime and today's equivalent

Then Now

Margaret Brown’s monthly wages in Leadville circa 1886 $25 / month $639 / month

J.J. Brown’s estimated annual income circa 1895 $1.25 million $35.8 million

Leadville builds the Ice Palace in 1895 $20,000 $352,000

J.J. Brown donates money to the Ice Palace $500 $14,300

The Browns purchase the Pennsylvania Ave. home $30,000 $801,000

Average wage for a domestic servant in Denver in 1900 $6 - $7 / week $172 / week

Margaret’s monthly allowance after their 1909 separation $700 $18,300

To build the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception $500,000 $12,400,000

To build the R.M.S. Titanic $7.5 million $400 million

To sail first class on the Titanic $150 $2,975

Money raised by Margaret on the Carpathia $10,000 $248,000

J.J. Brown’s estate at his death in 1922 $238,000 $3,354,000

Margaret’s settlement $20,000 $496,000

Margaret Brown’s estate upon her death in 1932 $6,000 $109,300