In 1975, the average U.S. salary was $8,631 a year, a gallon of regular gas cost $0.57 and median rent was $165 a month. A dollar from 1975 buys what $6.27 buys today.
| Item | 1975 | 1975 in today’s dollars | Oct 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| SalaryAverage yearly wage | $8,631 | $54,106 | $74,499 |
| Payroll taxSocial Security and Medicare, employee share, yearly, on the average wage | $505 | $3,165 | $5,699 |
| A dozen eggsGrade A large, grocery store | ≈$0.72 | ≈$4.49 | $3.80 |
| A gallon of milkWhole milk, grocery store | ≈$1.36 | ≈$8.50 | $4.03 |
| Big MacSandwich only; sold nationally since 1968 | $0.65 | $4.07 | $6.06 |
| Ham & cheese sandwich groceries1 lb white bread, 1 lb sliced ham, 1 lb American cheese | $3.20 | $20.06 | $13.67 |
| Tank of gas15 gallons of regular unleaded | $8.55 | $53.60 | $66.06 |
| Car insuranceAverage yearly premium | $200 | $1,254 | $1,736 |
| Monthly rentMedian rent including utilities | $165 | $1,034 | $1,565 |
| Monthly mortgage paymentMedian home, 20% down, 30-yr fixed, with taxes and insurance | ≈$265 | ≈$1,662 | $2,787 |
| Property taxAverage yearly bill on a single-family home | $610 | $3,824 | $4,406 |
| A movie ticketAverage admission, all showtimes | ≈$2.04 | ≈$12.80 | $11.60 |
| A pack of cigarettesPremium brand, including state taxes | ≈$0.48 | ≈$2.99 | $8.72 |
| A night in a hotelMid-range room, average nightly rate | ≈$30.00 | ≈$188 | $163 |
| Cable TV billMonthly expanded basic package | $6.50 | $40.75 | $108 |
| MLB game ticketAverage non-premium seat | $3.30 | $20.69 | $42.50 |
| A year of public universityIn-state tuition and fees, four-year public | $500 | $3,134 | $11,993 |
| Having a baby in hospitalUncomplicated delivery, billed charges | ≈$987 | ≈$6,190 | $15,800 |
| A weddingCeremony and reception, not counting the ring | ≈$2,683 | ≈$16,821 | $34,802 |
| Cross-country flightRound trip coach, New York to Los Angeles | $280 | $1,755 | $444 |
| A first-class stampOne ounce, the price posted by the USPS | $0.13 | $0.81 | $0.78 |
U.S. prices at midyear 1975. ≈ marks estimates between data points; each item’s page lists its sources. Today’s dollars use the Consumer Price Index (CPI-U).