In 2000, the average U.S. salary was $32,155 a year, a gallon of regular gas cost $1.51 and median rent was $602 a month. A dollar from 2000 buys what $1.96 buys today.
| Item | 2000 | 2000 in today’s dollars | Oct 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| SalaryAverage yearly wage | $32,155 | $62,977 | $74,499 |
| Payroll taxSocial Security and Medicare, employee share, yearly, on the average wage | $2,460 | $4,818 | $5,699 |
| A dozen eggsGrade A large, grocery store | $0.91 | $1.78 | $3.80 |
| A gallon of milkWhole milk, grocery store | $2.80 | $5.48 | $4.03 |
| Thanksgiving dinner for 10The Farm Bureau’s basket: turkey, sides and pie | $32.37 | $63.40 | $55.94 |
| Big MacSandwich only; sold nationally since 1968 | $2.51 | $4.92 | $6.06 |
| Ham & cheese sandwich groceries1 lb white bread, 1 lb sliced ham, 1 lb American cheese | $7.82 | $15.32 | $13.67 |
| Tank of gas15 gallons of regular unleaded | $22.65 | $44.36 | $66.06 |
| Car insuranceAverage yearly premium | $690 | $1,351 | $1,736 |
| Monthly rentMedian rent including utilities | $602 | $1,179 | $1,565 |
| Monthly mortgage paymentMedian home, 20% down, 30-yr fixed, with taxes and insurance | $976 | $1,912 | $2,787 |
| Property taxAverage yearly bill on a single-family home | $1,850 | $3,623 | $4,406 |
| A movie ticketAverage admission, all showtimes | $5.39 | $10.56 | $11.60 |
| A pack of cigarettesPremium brand, including state taxes | $3.00 | $5.88 | $8.72 |
| A night in a hotelMid-range room, average nightly rate | $85.00 | $166 | $163 |
| Cable TV billMonthly expanded basic package | $30.37 | $59.48 | $108 |
| MLB game ticketAverage non-premium seat | $16.22 | $31.77 | $42.50 |
| Daycare for one toddlerFull-time, licensed center, monthly | $500 | $979 | $1,382 |
| A year of public universityIn-state tuition and fees, four-year public | $3,500 | $6,855 | $11,993 |
| Family health premiumEmployer plan, total monthly cost incl. employer share | ≈$524 | ≈$1,026 | $2,235 |
| Having a baby in hospitalUncomplicated delivery, billed charges | $6,500 | $12,731 | $15,800 |
| A weddingCeremony and reception, not counting the ring | $20,000 | $39,171 | $34,802 |
| Cross-country flightRound trip coach, New York to Los Angeles | $460 | $901 | $444 |
| A first-class stampOne ounce, the price posted by the USPS | $0.33 | $0.65 | $0.78 |
U.S. prices at midyear 2000. ≈ marks estimates between data points; each item’s page lists its sources. Today’s dollars use the Consumer Price Index (CPI-U).