In 1965, the average U.S. salary was $4,659 a year, a gallon of regular gas cost $0.31 and median rent was $85.00 a month. A dollar from 1965 buys what $10.64 buys today.
| Item | 1965 | 1965 in today’s dollars | Sep 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| SalaryAverage yearly wage | $4,659 | $49,592 | $74,400 |
| Payroll taxSocial Security and Medicare, employee share, yearly, on the average wage | $169 | $1,798 | $5,692 |
| A dozen eggsGrade A large, grocery store | ≈$0.59 | ≈$6.28 | $3.80 |
| A gallon of milkWhole milk, grocery store | ≈$1.07 | ≈$11.41 | $4.15 |
| Ham & cheese sandwich groceries1 lb white bread, 1 lb sliced ham, 1 lb American cheese | $1.70 | $18.10 | $13.60 |
| Tank of gas15 gallons of regular unleaded | $4.65 | $49.50 | $66.60 |
| Car insuranceAverage yearly premium | $115 | $1,224 | $1,740 |
| Monthly rentMedian rent including utilities | $85.00 | $905 | $1,560 |
| Monthly mortgage paymentMedian home, 20% down, 30-yr fixed, with taxes and insurance | $96.01 | $1,022 | $2,721 |
| Property taxAverage yearly bill on a single-family home | $300 | $3,193 | $4,380 |
| A movie ticketAverage admission, all showtimes | ≈$1.03 | ≈$11.01 | $11.55 |
| A pack of cigarettesPremium brand, including state taxes | ≈$0.31 | ≈$3.35 | $8.65 |
| A night in a hotelMid-range room, average nightly rate | ≈$15.49 | ≈$165 | $164 |
| MLB game ticketAverage non-premium seat | $2.30 | $24.48 | $39.50 |
| A year of public universityIn-state tuition and fees, four-year public | $250 | $2,661 | $11,800 |
| Having a baby in hospitalUncomplicated delivery, billed charges | ≈$442 | ≈$4,700 | $15,700 |
| A weddingCeremony and reception, not counting the ring | ≈$1,407 | ≈$14,978 | $34,700 |
| Cross-country flightRound trip coach, New York to Los Angeles | ≈$212 | ≈$2,262 | $435 |
| A first-class stampOne ounce, the price posted by the USPS | $0.05 | $0.53 | $0.78 |
U.S. prices at midyear 1965. ≈ marks estimates between data points; each item’s page lists its sources. Today’s dollars use the Consumer Price Index (CPI-U).