In 1995, the average U.S. salary was $24,706 a year, a gallon of regular gas cost $1.15 and median rent was $520 a month. A dollar from 1995 buys what $2.21 buys today.
| Item | 1995 | 1995 in today’s dollars | Oct 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| SalaryAverage yearly wage | $24,706 | $54,674 | $74,499 |
| Payroll taxSocial Security and Medicare, employee share, yearly, on the average wage | $1,890 | $4,183 | $5,699 |
| A dozen eggsGrade A large, grocery store | ≈$0.95 | ≈$2.11 | $3.80 |
| A gallon of milkWhole milk, grocery store | ≈$2.45 | ≈$5.43 | $4.03 |
| Thanksgiving dinner for 10The Farm Bureau’s basket: turkey, sides and pie | $29.64 | $65.59 | $55.94 |
| Big MacSandwich only; sold nationally since 1968 | $2.32 | $5.13 | $6.06 |
| Ham & cheese sandwich groceries1 lb white bread, 1 lb sliced ham, 1 lb American cheese | $6.90 | $15.27 | $13.67 |
| Tank of gas15 gallons of regular unleaded | $17.25 | $38.17 | $66.06 |
| Car insuranceAverage yearly premium | $668 | $1,478 | $1,736 |
| Monthly rentMedian rent including utilities | $520 | $1,151 | $1,565 |
| Monthly mortgage paymentMedian home, 20% down, 30-yr fixed, with taxes and insurance | ≈$775 | ≈$1,715 | $2,787 |
| Property taxAverage yearly bill on a single-family home | $1,500 | $3,320 | $4,406 |
| A movie ticketAverage admission, all showtimes | $4.35 | $9.63 | $11.60 |
| A pack of cigarettesPremium brand, including state taxes | $1.95 | $4.32 | $8.72 |
| A night in a hotelMid-range room, average nightly rate | $70.00 | $155 | $163 |
| Cable TV billMonthly expanded basic package | $22.35 | $49.46 | $108 |
| MLB game ticketAverage non-premium seat | ≈$10.88 | ≈$24.07 | $42.50 |
| Daycare for one toddlerFull-time, licensed center, monthly | $420 | $929 | $1,382 |
| A year of public universityIn-state tuition and fees, four-year public | $2,800 | $6,196 | $11,993 |
| Having a baby in hospitalUncomplicated delivery, billed charges | ≈$5,099 | ≈$11,284 | $15,800 |
| A weddingCeremony and reception, not counting the ring | $17,600 | $38,949 | $34,802 |
| Cross-country flightRound trip coach, New York to Los Angeles | $440 | $974 | $444 |
| A first-class stampOne ounce, the price posted by the USPS | $0.32 | $0.71 | $0.78 |
U.S. prices at midyear 1995. ≈ marks estimates between data points; each item’s page lists its sources. Today’s dollars use the Consumer Price Index (CPI-U).