In 1977, the average U.S. salary was $9,779 a year, a gallon of regular gas cost $0.62 and median rent was about $193 a month. A dollar from 1977 buys what $5.57 buys today.
| Item | 1977 | 1977 in today’s dollars | Oct 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| SalaryAverage yearly wage | $9,779 | $54,424 | $74,499 |
| Payroll taxSocial Security and Medicare, employee share, yearly, on the average wage | $572 | $3,184 | $5,699 |
| A dozen eggsGrade A large, grocery store | ≈$0.76 | ≈$4.25 | $3.80 |
| A gallon of milkWhole milk, grocery store | ≈$1.45 | ≈$8.06 | $4.03 |
| Big MacSandwich only; sold nationally since 1968 | ≈$0.80 | ≈$4.46 | $6.06 |
| Ham & cheese sandwich groceries1 lb white bread, 1 lb sliced ham, 1 lb American cheese | ≈$3.70 | ≈$20.61 | $13.67 |
| Tank of gas15 gallons of regular unleaded | $9.30 | $51.76 | $66.06 |
| Car insuranceAverage yearly premium | ≈$232 | ≈$1,291 | $1,736 |
| Monthly rentMedian rent including utilities | ≈$193 | ≈$1,072 | $1,565 |
| Monthly mortgage paymentMedian home, 20% down, 30-yr fixed, with taxes and insurance | ≈$322 | ≈$1,792 | $2,787 |
| Property taxAverage yearly bill on a single-family home | ≈$652 | ≈$3,628 | $4,406 |
| A movie ticketAverage admission, all showtimes | ≈$2.28 | ≈$12.69 | $11.60 |
| A pack of cigarettesPremium brand, including state taxes | ≈$0.52 | ≈$2.91 | $8.72 |
| A night in a hotelMid-range room, average nightly rate | ≈$35.28 | ≈$196 | $163 |
| Cable TV billMonthly expanded basic package | ≈$6.95 | ≈$38.69 | $108 |
| MLB game ticketAverage non-premium seat | ≈$3.74 | ≈$20.79 | $42.50 |
| A year of public universityIn-state tuition and fees, four-year public | ≈$603 | ≈$3,358 | $11,993 |
| Having a baby in hospitalUncomplicated delivery, billed charges | ≈$1,167 | ≈$6,496 | $15,800 |
| A weddingCeremony and reception, not counting the ring | ≈$3,148 | ≈$17,519 | $34,802 |
| Cross-country flightRound trip coach, New York to Los Angeles | ≈$323 | ≈$1,797 | $444 |
| A first-class stampOne ounce, the price posted by the USPS | $0.13 | $0.72 | $0.78 |
U.S. prices at midyear 1977. ≈ marks estimates between data points; each item’s page lists its sources. Today’s dollars use the Consumer Price Index (CPI-U).