In 1970, the average U.S. salary was $6,186 a year, a gallon of regular gas cost $0.36 and median rent was $108 a month. A dollar from 1970 buys what $8.69 buys today.
| Item | 1970 | 1970 in today’s dollars | Oct 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| SalaryAverage yearly wage | $6,186 | $53,771 | $74,499 |
| Payroll taxSocial Security and Medicare, employee share, yearly, on the average wage | $297 | $2,581 | $5,699 |
| A dozen eggsGrade A large, grocery store | $0.61 | $5.30 | $3.80 |
| A gallon of milkWhole milk, grocery store | $1.15 | $10.00 | $4.03 |
| Big MacSandwich only; sold nationally since 1968 | $0.55 | $4.78 | $6.06 |
| Ham & cheese sandwich groceries1 lb white bread, 1 lb sliced ham, 1 lb American cheese | $2.14 | $18.60 | $13.67 |
| Tank of gas15 gallons of regular unleaded | $5.40 | $46.94 | $66.06 |
| Car insuranceAverage yearly premium | $150 | $1,304 | $1,736 |
| Monthly rentMedian rent including utilities | $108 | $939 | $1,565 |
| Monthly mortgage paymentMedian home, 20% down, 30-yr fixed, with taxes and insurance | $166 | $1,443 | $2,787 |
| Property taxAverage yearly bill on a single-family home | $430 | $3,738 | $4,406 |
| A movie ticketAverage admission, all showtimes | $1.55 | $13.47 | $11.60 |
| A pack of cigarettesPremium brand, including state taxes | $0.38 | $3.30 | $8.72 |
| A night in a hotelMid-range room, average nightly rate | $20.00 | $174 | $163 |
| Cable TV billMonthly expanded basic package | $5.00 | $43.46 | $108 |
| MLB game ticketAverage non-premium seat | $2.75 | $23.90 | $42.50 |
| A year of public universityIn-state tuition and fees, four-year public | $360 | $3,129 | $11,993 |
| Having a baby in hospitalUncomplicated delivery, billed charges | $650 | $5,650 | $15,800 |
| A weddingCeremony and reception, not counting the ring | $1,800 | $15,646 | $34,802 |
| Cross-country flightRound trip coach, New York to Los Angeles | $215 | $1,869 | $444 |
| A first-class stampOne ounce, the price posted by the USPS | $0.06 | $0.52 | $0.78 |
U.S. prices at midyear 1970. ≈ marks estimates between data points; each item’s page lists its sources. Today’s dollars use the Consumer Price Index (CPI-U).