In 1987, the average U.S. salary was $18,427 a year, a gallon of regular gas cost $0.90 and median rent was about $386 a month. A dollar from 1987 buys what $2.97 buys today.
| Item | 1987 | 1987 in today’s dollars | Oct 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| SalaryAverage yearly wage | $18,427 | $54,707 | $74,499 |
| Payroll taxSocial Security and Medicare, employee share, yearly, on the average wage | $1,318 | $3,912 | $5,699 |
| A dozen eggsGrade A large, grocery store | ≈$0.95 | ≈$2.82 | $3.80 |
| A gallon of milkWhole milk, grocery store | ≈$1.97 | ≈$5.84 | $4.03 |
| Thanksgiving dinner for 10The Farm Bureau’s basket: turkey, sides and pie | ≈$28.77 | ≈$85.41 | $55.94 |
| Big MacSandwich only; sold nationally since 1968 | ≈$1.73 | ≈$5.14 | $6.06 |
| Ham & cheese sandwich groceries1 lb white bread, 1 lb sliced ham, 1 lb American cheese | ≈$5.78 | ≈$17.16 | $13.67 |
| Tank of gas15 gallons of regular unleaded | $13.50 | $40.08 | $66.06 |
| Car insuranceAverage yearly premium | ≈$455 | ≈$1,350 | $1,736 |
| Monthly rentMedian rent including utilities | ≈$386 | ≈$1,146 | $1,565 |
| Monthly mortgage paymentMedian home, 20% down, 30-yr fixed, with taxes and insurance | ≈$700 | ≈$2,079 | $2,787 |
| Property taxAverage yearly bill on a single-family home | ≈$1,060 | ≈$3,148 | $4,406 |
| A movie ticketAverage admission, all showtimes | ≈$3.69 | ≈$10.96 | $11.60 |
| A pack of cigarettesPremium brand, including state taxes | ≈$1.27 | ≈$3.77 | $8.72 |
| A night in a hotelMid-range room, average nightly rate | ≈$55.04 | ≈$163 | $163 |
| Cable TV billMonthly expanded basic package | ≈$12.10 | ≈$35.92 | $108 |
| MLB game ticketAverage non-premium seat | ≈$6.90 | ≈$20.50 | $42.50 |
| Daycare for one toddlerFull-time, licensed center, monthly | ≈$293 | ≈$869 | $1,382 |
| A year of public universityIn-state tuition and fees, four-year public | ≈$1,513 | ≈$4,492 | $11,993 |
| Having a baby in hospitalUncomplicated delivery, billed charges | ≈$2,980 | ≈$8,848 | $15,800 |
| A weddingCeremony and reception, not counting the ring | ≈$9,975 | ≈$29,615 | $34,802 |
| Cross-country flightRound trip coach, New York to Los Angeles | ≈$432 | ≈$1,282 | $444 |
| A first-class stampOne ounce, the price posted by the USPS | $0.22 | $0.65 | $0.78 |
U.S. prices at midyear 1987. ≈ marks estimates between data points; each item’s page lists its sources. Today’s dollars use the Consumer Price Index (CPI-U).