In 1960, the average U.S. salary was $4,007 a year, a gallon of regular gas cost $0.31 and median rent was $71.00 a month. A dollar from 1960 buys what $11.33 buys today.
| Item | 1960 | 1960 in today’s dollars | Sep 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| SalaryAverage yearly wage | $4,007 | $45,390 | $74,400 |
| Payroll taxSocial Security and Medicare, employee share, yearly, on the average wage | $120 | $1,362 | $5,692 |
| A dozen eggsGrade A large, grocery store | $0.57 | $6.46 | $3.80 |
| A gallon of milkWhole milk, grocery store | $1.00 | $11.33 | $4.15 |
| Ham & cheese sandwich groceries1 lb white bread, 1 lb sliced ham, 1 lb American cheese | $1.55 | $17.56 | $13.60 |
| Tank of gas15 gallons of regular unleaded | $4.65 | $52.67 | $66.60 |
| Car insuranceAverage yearly premium | $90.00 | $1,019 | $1,740 |
| Monthly rentMedian rent including utilities | $71.00 | $804 | $1,560 |
| Monthly mortgage paymentMedian home, 20% down, 30-yr fixed, with taxes and insurance | $71.69 | $812 | $2,721 |
| Property taxAverage yearly bill on a single-family home | $240 | $2,719 | $4,380 |
| A movie ticketAverage admission, all showtimes | $0.69 | $7.82 | $11.55 |
| A pack of cigarettesPremium brand, including state taxes | $0.26 | $2.95 | $8.65 |
| A night in a hotelMid-range room, average nightly rate | $12.00 | $136 | $164 |
| MLB game ticketAverage non-premium seat | $2.00 | $22.66 | $39.50 |
| A year of public universityIn-state tuition and fees, four-year public | $180 | $2,039 | $11,800 |
| Having a baby in hospitalUncomplicated delivery, billed charges | $300 | $3,398 | $15,700 |
| A weddingCeremony and reception, not counting the ring | $1,100 | $12,460 | $34,700 |
| Cross-country flightRound trip coach, New York to Los Angeles | $210 | $2,379 | $435 |
| A first-class stampOne ounce, the price posted by the USPS | $0.04 | $0.45 | $0.78 |
U.S. prices at midyear 1960. ≈ marks estimates between data points; each item’s page lists its sources. Today’s dollars use the Consumer Price Index (CPI-U).