In 1992, the average U.S. salary was $22,935 a year, a gallon of regular gas cost $1.13 and median rent was about $475 a month. A dollar from 1992 buys what $2.39 buys today.
| Item | 1992 | 1992 in today’s dollars | Sep 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| SalaryAverage yearly wage | $22,935 | $54,812 | $74,400 |
| Payroll taxSocial Security and Medicare, employee share, yearly, on the average wage | $1,755 | $4,193 | $5,692 |
| A dozen eggsGrade A large, grocery store | ≈$0.98 | ≈$2.35 | $3.80 |
| A gallon of milkWhole milk, grocery store | ≈$2.27 | ≈$5.42 | $4.15 |
| Thanksgiving dinner for 10The Farm Bureau’s basket: turkey, sides and pie | ≈$29.16 | ≈$69.70 | $55.90 |
| Big MacSandwich only; sold nationally since 1968 | ≈$2.25 | ≈$5.37 | $6.05 |
| Ham & cheese sandwich groceries1 lb white bread, 1 lb sliced ham, 1 lb American cheese | ≈$6.60 | ≈$15.76 | $13.60 |
| Tank of gas15 gallons of regular unleaded | $16.95 | $40.51 | $66.60 |
| Car insuranceAverage yearly premium | ≈$595 | ≈$1,422 | $1,740 |
| Monthly rentMedian rent including utilities | ≈$475 | ≈$1,135 | $1,560 |
| Monthly mortgage paymentMedian home, 20% down, 30-yr fixed, with taxes and insurance | $728 | $1,740 | $2,721 |
| Property taxAverage yearly bill on a single-family home | ≈$1,345 | ≈$3,213 | $4,380 |
| A movie ticketAverage admission, all showtimes | ≈$4.28 | ≈$10.22 | $11.55 |
| A pack of cigarettesPremium brand, including state taxes | ≈$1.83 | ≈$4.37 | $8.65 |
| A night in a hotelMid-range room, average nightly rate | ≈$63.82 | ≈$153 | $164 |
| Cable TV billMonthly expanded basic package | ≈$18.82 | ≈$44.97 | $108 |
| MLB game ticketAverage non-premium seat | ≈$9.56 | ≈$22.84 | $39.50 |
| Daycare for one toddlerFull-time, licensed center, monthly | ≈$376 | ≈$900 | $1,370 |
| A year of public universityIn-state tuition and fees, four-year public | ≈$2,219 | ≈$5,303 | $11,800 |
| Having a baby in hospitalUncomplicated delivery, billed charges | ≈$4,408 | ≈$10,534 | $15,700 |
| A weddingCeremony and reception, not counting the ring | ≈$15,990 | ≈$38,215 | $34,700 |
| Cross-country flightRound trip coach, New York to Los Angeles | ≈$446 | ≈$1,066 | $435 |
| A first-class stampOne ounce, the price posted by the USPS | $0.29 | $0.69 | $0.78 |
U.S. prices at midyear 1992. ≈ marks estimates between data points; each item’s page lists its sources. Today’s dollars use the Consumer Price Index (CPI-U).