In 1979, the average U.S. salary was $11,479 a year, a gallon of regular gas cost $0.86 and median rent was about $225 a month. A dollar from 1979 buys what $4.65 buys today.
| Item | 1979 | 1979 in today’s dollars | Oct 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| SalaryAverage yearly wage | $11,479 | $53,325 | $74,499 |
| Payroll taxSocial Security and Medicare, employee share, yearly, on the average wage | $704 | $3,269 | $5,699 |
| A dozen eggsGrade A large, grocery store | ≈$0.81 | ≈$3.78 | $3.80 |
| A gallon of milkWhole milk, grocery store | ≈$1.55 | ≈$7.19 | $4.03 |
| Big MacSandwich only; sold nationally since 1968 | ≈$0.99 | ≈$4.60 | $6.06 |
| Ham & cheese sandwich groceries1 lb white bread, 1 lb sliced ham, 1 lb American cheese | ≈$4.29 | ≈$19.91 | $13.67 |
| Tank of gas15 gallons of regular unleaded | $12.90 | $59.93 | $66.06 |
| Car insuranceAverage yearly premium | ≈$269 | ≈$1,251 | $1,736 |
| Monthly rentMedian rent including utilities | ≈$225 | ≈$1,045 | $1,565 |
| Monthly mortgage paymentMedian home, 20% down, 30-yr fixed, with taxes and insurance | ≈$488 | ≈$2,267 | $2,787 |
| Property taxAverage yearly bill on a single-family home | ≈$697 | ≈$3,236 | $4,406 |
| A movie ticketAverage admission, all showtimes | ≈$2.55 | ≈$11.83 | $11.60 |
| A pack of cigarettesPremium brand, including state taxes | ≈$0.57 | ≈$2.66 | $8.72 |
| A night in a hotelMid-range room, average nightly rate | ≈$41.49 | ≈$193 | $163 |
| Cable TV billMonthly expanded basic package | ≈$7.44 | ≈$34.54 | $108 |
| MLB game ticketAverage non-premium seat | ≈$4.23 | ≈$19.65 | $42.50 |
| A year of public universityIn-state tuition and fees, four-year public | ≈$728 | ≈$3,383 | $11,993 |
| Having a baby in hospitalUncomplicated delivery, billed charges | ≈$1,380 | ≈$6,409 | $15,800 |
| A weddingCeremony and reception, not counting the ring | ≈$3,693 | ≈$17,156 | $34,802 |
| Cross-country flightRound trip coach, New York to Los Angeles | ≈$372 | ≈$1,730 | $444 |
| A first-class stampOne ounce, the price posted by the USPS | $0.15 | $0.70 | $0.78 |
U.S. prices at midyear 1979. ≈ marks estimates between data points; each item’s page lists its sources. Today’s dollars use the Consumer Price Index (CPI-U).