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 $2.57 buys today.
| Item | 1990 | 1990 in today’s dollars | Sep 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| SalaryAverage yearly wage | $21,028 | $53,946 | $74,400 |
| Payroll taxSocial Security and Medicare, employee share, yearly, on the average wage | $1,609 | $4,127 | $5,692 |
| A dozen eggsGrade A large, grocery store | $1.00 | $2.57 | $3.80 |
| A gallon of milkWhole milk, grocery store | $2.15 | $5.52 | $4.15 |
| Thanksgiving dinner for 10The Farm Bureau’s basket: turkey, sides and pie | $28.85 | $74.01 | $55.90 |
| Big MacSandwich only; sold nationally since 1968 | $2.20 | $5.64 | $6.05 |
| Ham & cheese sandwich groceries1 lb white bread, 1 lb sliced ham, 1 lb American cheese | $6.40 | $16.42 | $13.60 |
| Tank of gas15 gallons of regular unleaded | $17.25 | $44.25 | $66.60 |
| Car insuranceAverage yearly premium | $551 | $1,414 | $1,740 |
| Monthly rentMedian rent including utilities | $447 | $1,147 | $1,560 |
| Monthly mortgage paymentMedian home, 20% down, 30-yr fixed, with taxes and insurance | $756 | $1,941 | $2,721 |
| Property taxAverage yearly bill on a single-family home | $1,250 | $3,207 | $4,380 |
| A movie ticketAverage admission, all showtimes | $4.23 | $10.85 | $11.55 |
| A pack of cigarettesPremium brand, including state taxes | $1.75 | $4.49 | $8.65 |
| A night in a hotelMid-range room, average nightly rate | $60.00 | $154 | $164 |
| Cable TV billMonthly expanded basic package | $16.78 | $43.05 | $108 |
| MLB game ticketAverage non-premium seat | ≈$8.52 | ≈$21.86 | $39.50 |
| Daycare for one toddlerFull-time, licensed center, monthly | $350 | $898 | $1,370 |
| A year of public universityIn-state tuition and fees, four-year public | $1,900 | $4,874 | $11,800 |
| Having a baby in hospitalUncomplicated delivery, billed charges | $4,000 | $10,262 | $15,700 |
| A weddingCeremony and reception, not counting the ring | $15,000 | $38,481 | $34,700 |
| Cross-country flightRound trip coach, New York to Los Angeles | $450 | $1,154 | $435 |
| A first-class stampOne ounce, the price posted by the USPS | $0.25 | $0.64 | $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).