In 1966, the average U.S. salary was $4,938 a year, a gallon of regular gas cost about $0.32 and median rent was about $89.17 a month. A dollar from 1966 buys what $10.32 buys today.
| Item | 1966 | 1966 in today’s dollars | Sep 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| SalaryAverage yearly wage | $4,938 | $50,945 | $74,400 |
| Payroll taxSocial Security and Medicare, employee share, yearly, on the average wage | $207 | $2,140 | $5,692 |
| A dozen eggsGrade A large, grocery store | ≈$0.59 | ≈$6.12 | $3.80 |
| A gallon of milkWhole milk, grocery store | ≈$1.09 | ≈$11.22 | $4.15 |
| Ham & cheese sandwich groceries1 lb white bread, 1 lb sliced ham, 1 lb American cheese | ≈$1.78 | ≈$18.37 | $13.60 |
| Tank of gas15 gallons of regular unleaded | ≈$4.79 | ≈$49.43 | $66.60 |
| Car insuranceAverage yearly premium | ≈$121 | ≈$1,251 | $1,740 |
| Monthly rentMedian rent including utilities | ≈$89.17 | ≈$920 | $1,560 |
| Monthly mortgage paymentMedian home, 20% down, 30-yr fixed, with taxes and insurance | ≈$106 | ≈$1,090 | $2,721 |
| Property taxAverage yearly bill on a single-family home | ≈$322 | ≈$3,326 | $4,380 |
| A movie ticketAverage admission, all showtimes | ≈$1.12 | ≈$11.57 | $11.55 |
| A pack of cigarettesPremium brand, including state taxes | ≈$0.33 | ≈$3.37 | $8.65 |
| A night in a hotelMid-range room, average nightly rate | ≈$16.30 | ≈$168 | $164 |
| MLB game ticketAverage non-premium seat | ≈$2.38 | ≈$24.59 | $39.50 |
| A year of public universityIn-state tuition and fees, four-year public | ≈$269 | ≈$2,774 | $11,800 |
| Having a baby in hospitalUncomplicated delivery, billed charges | ≈$477 | ≈$4,922 | $15,700 |
| A weddingCeremony and reception, not counting the ring | ≈$1,478 | ≈$15,250 | $34,700 |
| Cross-country flightRound trip coach, New York to Los Angeles | ≈$213 | ≈$2,197 | $435 |
| A first-class stampOne ounce, the price posted by the USPS | $0.05 | $0.52 | $0.78 |
U.S. prices at midyear 1966. ≈ marks estimates between data points; each item’s page lists its sources. Today’s dollars use the Consumer Price Index (CPI-U).