In 1991, the average U.S. salary was $21,812 a year, a gallon of regular gas cost $1.14 and median rent was about $461 a month. A dollar from 1991 buys what $2.48 buys today.
| Item | 1991 | 1991 in today’s dollars | Oct 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| SalaryAverage yearly wage | $21,812 | $54,011 | $74,499 |
| Payroll taxSocial Security and Medicare, employee share, yearly, on the average wage | $1,669 | $4,132 | $5,699 |
| A dozen eggsGrade A large, grocery store | ≈$0.99 | ≈$2.45 | $3.80 |
| A gallon of milkWhole milk, grocery store | ≈$2.21 | ≈$5.47 | $4.03 |
| Thanksgiving dinner for 10The Farm Bureau’s basket: turkey, sides and pie | ≈$29.01 | ≈$71.83 | $55.94 |
| Big MacSandwich only; sold nationally since 1968 | ≈$2.22 | ≈$5.51 | $6.06 |
| Ham & cheese sandwich groceries1 lb white bread, 1 lb sliced ham, 1 lb American cheese | ≈$6.50 | ≈$16.09 | $13.67 |
| Tank of gas15 gallons of regular unleaded | $17.10 | $42.34 | $66.06 |
| Car insuranceAverage yearly premium | ≈$573 | ≈$1,418 | $1,736 |
| Monthly rentMedian rent including utilities | ≈$461 | ≈$1,141 | $1,565 |
| Monthly mortgage paymentMedian home, 20% down, 30-yr fixed, with taxes and insurance | ≈$742 | ≈$1,839 | $2,787 |
| Property taxAverage yearly bill on a single-family home | ≈$1,296 | ≈$3,210 | $4,406 |
| A movie ticketAverage admission, all showtimes | ≈$4.25 | ≈$10.53 | $11.60 |
| A pack of cigarettesPremium brand, including state taxes | ≈$1.79 | ≈$4.43 | $8.72 |
| A night in a hotelMid-range room, average nightly rate | ≈$61.88 | ≈$153 | $163 |
| Cable TV billMonthly expanded basic package | ≈$17.77 | ≈$44.00 | $108 |
| MLB game ticketAverage non-premium seat | $9.14 | $22.63 | $42.50 |
| Daycare for one toddlerFull-time, licensed center, monthly | ≈$363 | ≈$899 | $1,382 |
| A year of public universityIn-state tuition and fees, four-year public | ≈$2,053 | ≈$5,084 | $11,993 |
| Having a baby in hospitalUncomplicated delivery, billed charges | ≈$4,199 | ≈$10,398 | $15,800 |
| A weddingCeremony and reception, not counting the ring | ≈$15,487 | ≈$38,350 | $34,802 |
| Cross-country flightRound trip coach, New York to Los Angeles | ≈$448 | ≈$1,109 | $444 |
| A first-class stampOne ounce, the price posted by the USPS | $0.29 | $0.72 | $0.78 |
U.S. prices at midyear 1991. ≈ marks estimates between data points; each item’s page lists its sources. Today’s dollars use the Consumer Price Index (CPI-U).