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 $11.39 buys today.
| Item | 1960 | 1960 in today’s dollars | Oct 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| SalaryAverage yearly wage | $4,007 | $45,656 | $74,499 |
| Payroll taxSocial Security and Medicare, employee share, yearly, on the average wage | $120 | $1,370 | $5,699 |
| A dozen eggsGrade A large, grocery store | $0.57 | $6.49 | $3.80 |
| A gallon of milkWhole milk, grocery store | $1.00 | $11.39 | $4.03 |
| Ham & cheese sandwich groceries1 lb white bread, 1 lb sliced ham, 1 lb American cheese | $1.55 | $17.66 | $13.67 |
| Tank of gas15 gallons of regular unleaded | $4.65 | $52.98 | $66.06 |
| Car insuranceAverage yearly premium | $90.00 | $1,025 | $1,736 |
| Monthly rentMedian rent including utilities | $71.00 | $809 | $1,565 |
| Monthly mortgage paymentMedian home, 20% down, 30-yr fixed, with taxes and insurance | $71.69 | $817 | $2,787 |
| Property taxAverage yearly bill on a single-family home | $240 | $2,735 | $4,406 |
| A movie ticketAverage admission, all showtimes | $0.69 | $7.86 | $11.60 |
| A pack of cigarettesPremium brand, including state taxes | $0.26 | $2.96 | $8.72 |
| A night in a hotelMid-range room, average nightly rate | $12.00 | $137 | $163 |
| MLB game ticketAverage non-premium seat | $2.00 | $22.79 | $42.50 |
| A year of public universityIn-state tuition and fees, four-year public | $180 | $2,051 | $11,993 |
| Having a baby in hospitalUncomplicated delivery, billed charges | $300 | $3,418 | $15,800 |
| A weddingCeremony and reception, not counting the ring | $1,100 | $12,533 | $34,802 |
| Cross-country flightRound trip coach, New York to Los Angeles | $210 | $2,393 | $444 |
| A first-class stampOne ounce, the price posted by the USPS | $0.04 | $0.46 | $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).