In 2001, the average U.S. salary was $32,922 a year, a gallon of regular gas cost $1.46 and median rent was about $625 a month. A dollar from 2001 buys what $1.89 buys today.
| Item | 2001 | 2001 in today’s dollars | Sep 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| SalaryAverage yearly wage | $32,922 | $62,331 | $74,400 |
| Payroll taxSocial Security and Medicare, employee share, yearly, on the average wage | $2,519 | $4,768 | $5,692 |
| A dozen eggsGrade A large, grocery store | ≈$0.97 | ≈$1.83 | $3.80 |
| A gallon of milkWhole milk, grocery store | ≈$2.85 | ≈$5.39 | $4.15 |
| Thanksgiving dinner for 10The Farm Bureau’s basket: turkey, sides and pie | ≈$33.21 | ≈$62.87 | $55.90 |
| Big MacSandwich only; sold nationally since 1968 | ≈$2.57 | ≈$4.88 | $6.05 |
| Ham & cheese sandwich groceries1 lb white bread, 1 lb sliced ham, 1 lb American cheese | ≈$7.99 | ≈$15.12 | $13.60 |
| Tank of gas15 gallons of regular unleaded | $21.90 | $41.46 | $66.60 |
| Car insuranceAverage yearly premium | ≈$716 | ≈$1,356 | $1,740 |
| Monthly rentMedian rent including utilities | ≈$625 | ≈$1,184 | $1,560 |
| Monthly mortgage paymentMedian home, 20% down, 30-yr fixed, with taxes and insurance | ≈$953 | ≈$1,805 | $2,721 |
| Property taxAverage yearly bill on a single-family home | ≈$1,957 | ≈$3,705 | $4,380 |
| A movie ticketAverage admission, all showtimes | ≈$5.58 | ≈$10.56 | $11.55 |
| A pack of cigarettesPremium brand, including state taxes | ≈$3.21 | ≈$6.08 | $8.65 |
| A night in a hotelMid-range room, average nightly rate | ≈$86.91 | ≈$165 | $164 |
| Cable TV billMonthly expanded basic package | ≈$32.32 | ≈$61.18 | $108 |
| MLB game ticketAverage non-premium seat | ≈$17.23 | ≈$32.62 | $39.50 |
| Daycare for one toddlerFull-time, licensed center, monthly | ≈$522 | ≈$988 | $1,370 |
| A year of public universityIn-state tuition and fees, four-year public | ≈$3,831 | ≈$7,253 | $11,800 |
| Family health premiumEmployer plan, total monthly cost incl. employer share | ≈$583 | ≈$1,105 | $2,240 |
| Having a baby in hospitalUncomplicated delivery, billed charges | ≈$6,786 | ≈$12,848 | $15,700 |
| A weddingCeremony and reception, not counting the ring | ≈$20,385 | ≈$38,594 | $34,700 |
| Cross-country flightRound trip coach, New York to Los Angeles | ≈$450 | ≈$851 | $435 |
| A first-class stampOne ounce, the price posted by the USPS | $0.34 | $0.64 | $0.78 |
U.S. prices at midyear 2001. ≈ marks estimates between data points; each item’s page lists its sources. Today’s dollars use the Consumer Price Index (CPI-U).