9 of 22 everyday prices rose faster than wages over the past year. Over the 12 months to October 22, 2026, overall consumer prices rose 4% and the average wage rose 2.3%.
Updated each time new monthly data comes in. Figures are U.S. averages; a year ago means October 22, 2025.
| Item | A year ago | Now | Change | vs. wages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tank of gas15 gallons of regular unleaded | $45.68 | $66.06 | +45% | Faster |
| Monthly mortgage paymentMedian home, 20% down, 30-yr fixed, with taxes and insurance | $2,523 | $2,787 | +10% | Faster |
| MLB game ticketAverage non-premium seat | $38.52 | $42.50 | +10% | Faster |
| Ham & cheese sandwich groceries1 lb white bread, 1 lb sliced ham, 1 lb American cheese | $13.22 | $13.67 | +3.4% | Faster |
| A year of public universityIn-state tuition and fees, four-year public | $11,612 | $11,993 | +3.3% | Faster |
| Cross-country flightRound trip coach, New York to Los Angeles | $431 | $444 | +2.9% | Faster |
| Daycare for one toddlerFull-time, licensed center, monthly | $1,347 | $1,382 | +2.6% | Faster |
| Cable TV billMonthly expanded basic package | $106 | $108 | +2.5% | Faster |
| Property taxAverage yearly bill on a single-family home | $4,297 | $4,406 | +2.5% | Faster |
| A pack of cigarettesPremium brand, including state taxes | $8.54 | $8.72 | +2.1% | Slower |
| Having a baby in hospitalUncomplicated delivery, billed charges | $15,475 | $15,800 | +2.1% | Slower |
| A movie ticketAverage admission, all showtimes | $11.37 | $11.60 | +2% | Slower |
| Car insuranceAverage yearly premium | $1,702 | $1,736 | +1.9% | Slower |
| Family health premiumEmployer plan, total monthly cost incl. employer share | $2,195 | $2,235 | +1.8% | Slower |
| Monthly rentMedian rent including utilities | $1,538 | $1,565 | +1.8% | Slower |
| Big MacSandwich only; sold nationally since 1968 | $5.96 | $6.06 | +1.7% | Slower |
| A weddingCeremony and reception, not counting the ring | $34,325 | $34,802 | +1.4% | Slower |
| Thanksgiving dinner for 10The Farm Bureau’s basket: turkey, sides and pie | $55.36 | $55.94 | +1.1% | Slower |
| A night in a hotelMid-range room, average nightly rate | $162 | $163 | +0.8% | Slower |
| A first-class stampOne ounce, the price posted by the USPS | $0.78 | $0.78 | +0% | Slower |
| A gallon of milkWhole milk, grocery store | $4.11 | $4.03 | −2% | Slower |
| A dozen eggsGrade A large, grocery store | $4.17 | $3.80 | −8.8% | Slower |
Each price is read from the same series as the charts, a year apart. Wages are the national average wage index, continued with the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ monthly average hourly earnings; overall prices are the Consumer Price Index (CPI-U). Some items have only yearly data points, so their year-ago value is estimated between two of them. Each item’s page lists its sources, and how it works covers the method.