Purchasing power is the real stat to pay attention to. Wages have not kept up with inflation unfortunately. It is actually why you see cheaper consumer goods like you pointed out. Since consumer goods aren't a necessity to live, the prices can't be pushed the same way that necessities like healthcare, housing, and education have been. In the case of consumer goods, the supply has had to meet the demands' purchasing power because no one needs a lawnmower to live so they can afford to be picky on the prices and the suppliers have to compete. Due to an automatic demand, the cost of healthcare, housing, and education have not had the same competitive nature and are much higher than they were back then resulting in a big decline in purchasing power.