In 1990, the average U.S. salary was $21,028 a year, a gallon of regular gas cost $1.15 and median rent was $447 a month. A dollar from 1990 buys what $2.58 buys today.
| Item | 1990 | 1990 in today’s dollars | Oct 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| SalaryAverage yearly wage | $21,028 | $54,261 | $74,499 |
| Payroll taxSocial Security and Medicare, employee share, yearly, on the average wage | $1,609 | $4,151 | $5,699 |
| A dozen eggsGrade A large, grocery store | $1.00 | $2.58 | $3.80 |
| A gallon of milkWhole milk, grocery store | $2.15 | $5.55 | $4.03 |
| Thanksgiving dinner for 10The Farm Bureau’s basket: turkey, sides and pie | $28.85 | $74.45 | $55.94 |
| Big MacSandwich only; sold nationally since 1968 | $2.20 | $5.68 | $6.06 |
| Ham & cheese sandwich groceries1 lb white bread, 1 lb sliced ham, 1 lb American cheese | $6.40 | $16.51 | $13.67 |
| Tank of gas15 gallons of regular unleaded | $17.25 | $44.51 | $66.06 |
| Car insuranceAverage yearly premium | $551 | $1,422 | $1,736 |
| Monthly rentMedian rent including utilities | $447 | $1,153 | $1,565 |
| Monthly mortgage paymentMedian home, 20% down, 30-yr fixed, with taxes and insurance | $756 | $1,952 | $2,787 |
| Property taxAverage yearly bill on a single-family home | $1,250 | $3,226 | $4,406 |
| A movie ticketAverage admission, all showtimes | $4.23 | $10.92 | $11.60 |
| A pack of cigarettesPremium brand, including state taxes | $1.75 | $4.52 | $8.72 |
| A night in a hotelMid-range room, average nightly rate | $60.00 | $155 | $163 |
| Cable TV billMonthly expanded basic package | $16.78 | $43.30 | $108 |
| MLB game ticketAverage non-premium seat | ≈$8.52 | ≈$21.99 | $42.50 |
| Daycare for one toddlerFull-time, licensed center, monthly | $350 | $903 | $1,382 |
| A year of public universityIn-state tuition and fees, four-year public | $1,900 | $4,903 | $11,993 |
| Having a baby in hospitalUncomplicated delivery, billed charges | $4,000 | $10,322 | $15,800 |
| A weddingCeremony and reception, not counting the ring | $15,000 | $38,706 | $34,802 |
| Cross-country flightRound trip coach, New York to Los Angeles | $450 | $1,161 | $444 |
| A first-class stampOne ounce, the price posted by the USPS | $0.25 | $0.65 | $0.78 |
U.S. prices at midyear 1990. ≈ marks estimates between data points; each item’s page lists its sources. Today’s dollars use the Consumer Price Index (CPI-U).