In 1972, the average U.S. salary was $7,134 a year, a gallon of regular gas cost $0.36 and median rent was about $128 a month. A dollar from 1972 buys what $8.07 buys today.
| Item | 1972 | 1972 in today’s dollars | Oct 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| SalaryAverage yearly wage | $7,134 | $57,560 | $74,499 |
| Payroll taxSocial Security and Medicare, employee share, yearly, on the average wage | $371 | $2,993 | $5,699 |
| A dozen eggsGrade A large, grocery store | ≈$0.65 | ≈$5.25 | $3.80 |
| A gallon of milkWhole milk, grocery store | ≈$1.23 | ≈$9.91 | $4.03 |
| Big MacSandwich only; sold nationally since 1968 | ≈$0.59 | ≈$4.74 | $6.06 |
| Ham & cheese sandwich groceries1 lb white bread, 1 lb sliced ham, 1 lb American cheese | ≈$2.51 | ≈$20.28 | $13.67 |
| Tank of gas15 gallons of regular unleaded | $5.40 | $43.57 | $66.06 |
| Car insuranceAverage yearly premium | ≈$168 | ≈$1,358 | $1,736 |
| Monthly rentMedian rent including utilities | ≈$128 | ≈$1,032 | $1,565 |
| Monthly mortgage paymentMedian home, 20% down, 30-yr fixed, with taxes and insurance | $178 | $1,433 | $2,787 |
| Property taxAverage yearly bill on a single-family home | ≈$495 | ≈$3,990 | $4,406 |
| A movie ticketAverage admission, all showtimes | ≈$1.73 | ≈$13.96 | $11.60 |
| A pack of cigarettesPremium brand, including state taxes | ≈$0.42 | ≈$3.36 | $8.72 |
| A night in a hotelMid-range room, average nightly rate | ≈$23.52 | ≈$190 | $163 |
| Cable TV billMonthly expanded basic package | ≈$5.55 | ≈$44.81 | $108 |
| MLB game ticketAverage non-premium seat | ≈$2.96 | ≈$23.87 | $42.50 |
| A year of public universityIn-state tuition and fees, four-year public | ≈$411 | ≈$3,313 | $11,993 |
| Having a baby in hospitalUncomplicated delivery, billed charges | ≈$768 | ≈$6,199 | $15,800 |
| A weddingCeremony and reception, not counting the ring | ≈$2,112 | ≈$17,038 | $34,802 |
| Cross-country flightRound trip coach, New York to Los Angeles | ≈$239 | ≈$1,928 | $444 |
| A first-class stampOne ounce, the price posted by the USPS | $0.08 | $0.65 | $0.78 |
U.S. prices at midyear 1972. ≈ marks estimates between data points; each item’s page lists its sources. Today’s dollars use the Consumer Price Index (CPI-U).