In 1973, the average U.S. salary was $7,580 a year, a gallon of regular gas cost $0.39 and median rent was about $139 a month. A dollar from 1973 buys what $7.60 buys today.
| Item | 1973 | 1973 in today’s dollars | Oct 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| SalaryAverage yearly wage | $7,580 | $57,578 | $74,499 |
| Payroll taxSocial Security and Medicare, employee share, yearly, on the average wage | $443 | $3,368 | $5,699 |
| A dozen eggsGrade A large, grocery store | ≈$0.67 | ≈$5.10 | $3.80 |
| A gallon of milkWhole milk, grocery store | ≈$1.27 | ≈$9.65 | $4.03 |
| Big MacSandwich only; sold nationally since 1968 | ≈$0.61 | ≈$4.62 | $6.06 |
| Ham & cheese sandwich groceries1 lb white bread, 1 lb sliced ham, 1 lb American cheese | ≈$2.72 | ≈$20.69 | $13.67 |
| Tank of gas15 gallons of regular unleaded | $5.85 | $44.44 | $66.06 |
| Car insuranceAverage yearly premium | ≈$178 | ≈$1,354 | $1,736 |
| Monthly rentMedian rent including utilities | ≈$139 | ≈$1,058 | $1,565 |
| Monthly mortgage paymentMedian home, 20% down, 30-yr fixed, with taxes and insurance | ≈$205 | ≈$1,558 | $2,787 |
| Property taxAverage yearly bill on a single-family home | ≈$530 | ≈$4,029 | $4,406 |
| A movie ticketAverage admission, all showtimes | ≈$1.83 | ≈$13.89 | $11.60 |
| A pack of cigarettesPremium brand, including state taxes | ≈$0.44 | ≈$3.31 | $8.72 |
| A night in a hotelMid-range room, average nightly rate | ≈$25.51 | ≈$194 | $163 |
| Cable TV billMonthly expanded basic package | ≈$5.85 | ≈$44.45 | $108 |
| MLB game ticketAverage non-premium seat | ≈$3.07 | ≈$23.30 | $42.50 |
| A year of public universityIn-state tuition and fees, four-year public | ≈$438 | ≈$3,330 | $11,993 |
| Having a baby in hospitalUncomplicated delivery, billed charges | ≈$835 | ≈$6,345 | $15,800 |
| A weddingCeremony and reception, not counting the ring | ≈$2,287 | ≈$17,374 | $34,802 |
| Cross-country flightRound trip coach, New York to Los Angeles | ≈$252 | ≈$1,914 | $444 |
| A first-class stampOne ounce, the price posted by the USPS | $0.08 | $0.61 | $0.78 |
U.S. prices at midyear 1973. ≈ marks estimates between data points; each item’s page lists its sources. Today’s dollars use the Consumer Price Index (CPI-U).