In 1996, the average U.S. salary was $25,914 a year, a gallon of regular gas cost $1.23 and median rent was about $535 a month. A dollar from 1996 buys what $2.15 buys today.
| Item | 1996 | 1996 in today’s dollars | Oct 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| SalaryAverage yearly wage | $25,914 | $55,739 | $74,499 |
| Payroll taxSocial Security and Medicare, employee share, yearly, on the average wage | $1,982 | $4,264 | $5,699 |
| A dozen eggsGrade A large, grocery store | ≈$0.94 | ≈$2.03 | $3.80 |
| A gallon of milkWhole milk, grocery store | ≈$2.52 | ≈$5.42 | $4.03 |
| Thanksgiving dinner for 10The Farm Bureau’s basket: turkey, sides and pie | ≈$30.17 | ≈$64.89 | $55.94 |
| Big MacSandwich only; sold nationally since 1968 | ≈$2.36 | ≈$5.07 | $6.06 |
| Ham & cheese sandwich groceries1 lb white bread, 1 lb sliced ham, 1 lb American cheese | ≈$7.07 | ≈$15.22 | $13.67 |
| Tank of gas15 gallons of regular unleaded | $18.45 | $39.68 | $66.06 |
| Car insuranceAverage yearly premium | ≈$672 | ≈$1,446 | $1,736 |
| Monthly rentMedian rent including utilities | ≈$535 | ≈$1,152 | $1,565 |
| Monthly mortgage paymentMedian home, 20% down, 30-yr fixed, with taxes and insurance | $798 | $1,716 | $2,787 |
| Property taxAverage yearly bill on a single-family home | ≈$1,564 | ≈$3,365 | $4,406 |
| A movie ticketAverage admission, all showtimes | ≈$4.54 | ≈$9.77 | $11.60 |
| A pack of cigarettesPremium brand, including state taxes | ≈$2.13 | ≈$4.57 | $8.72 |
| A night in a hotelMid-range room, average nightly rate | ≈$72.77 | ≈$157 | $163 |
| Cable TV billMonthly expanded basic package | ≈$23.76 | ≈$51.11 | $108 |
| MLB game ticketAverage non-premium seat | $11.32 | $24.35 | $42.50 |
| Daycare for one toddlerFull-time, licensed center, monthly | ≈$435 | ≈$935 | $1,382 |
| A year of public universityIn-state tuition and fees, four-year public | ≈$2,928 | ≈$6,297 | $11,993 |
| Having a baby in hospitalUncomplicated delivery, billed charges | ≈$5,353 | ≈$11,513 | $15,800 |
| A weddingCeremony and reception, not counting the ring | ≈$18,056 | ≈$38,836 | $34,802 |
| Cross-country flightRound trip coach, New York to Los Angeles | ≈$444 | ≈$955 | $444 |
| A first-class stampOne ounce, the price posted by the USPS | $0.32 | $0.69 | $0.78 |
U.S. prices at midyear 1996. ≈ marks estimates between data points; each item’s page lists its sources. Today’s dollars use the Consumer Price Index (CPI-U).