In 2003, the average U.S. salary was $34,065 a year, a gallon of regular gas cost $1.59 and median rent was about $675 a month. A dollar from 2003 buys what $1.83 buys today.
| Item | 2003 | 2003 in today’s dollars | Oct 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| SalaryAverage yearly wage | $34,065 | $62,439 | $74,499 |
| Payroll taxSocial Security and Medicare, employee share, yearly, on the average wage | $2,606 | $4,777 | $5,699 |
| A dozen eggsGrade A large, grocery store | ≈$1.10 | ≈$2.01 | $3.80 |
| A gallon of milkWhole milk, grocery store | ≈$2.94 | ≈$5.39 | $4.03 |
| Thanksgiving dinner for 10The Farm Bureau’s basket: turkey, sides and pie | ≈$34.95 | ≈$64.06 | $55.94 |
| Big MacSandwich only; sold nationally since 1968 | $2.71 | $4.97 | $6.06 |
| Ham & cheese sandwich groceries1 lb white bread, 1 lb sliced ham, 1 lb American cheese | ≈$8.34 | ≈$15.28 | $13.67 |
| Tank of gas15 gallons of regular unleaded | $23.85 | $43.72 | $66.06 |
| Car insuranceAverage yearly premium | ≈$771 | ≈$1,413 | $1,736 |
| Monthly rentMedian rent including utilities | ≈$675 | ≈$1,237 | $1,565 |
| Monthly mortgage paymentMedian home, 20% down, 30-yr fixed, with taxes and insurance | ≈$998 | ≈$1,830 | $2,787 |
| Property taxAverage yearly bill on a single-family home | ≈$2,190 | ≈$4,013 | $4,406 |
| A movie ticketAverage admission, all showtimes | ≈$5.98 | ≈$10.96 | $11.60 |
| A pack of cigarettesPremium brand, including state taxes | ≈$3.67 | ≈$6.73 | $8.72 |
| A night in a hotelMid-range room, average nightly rate | ≈$90.87 | ≈$167 | $163 |
| Cable TV billMonthly expanded basic package | $36.59 | $67.07 | $108 |
| MLB game ticketAverage non-premium seat | ≈$19.04 | ≈$34.91 | $42.50 |
| Daycare for one toddlerFull-time, licensed center, monthly | ≈$569 | ≈$1,043 | $1,382 |
| A year of public universityIn-state tuition and fees, four-year public | ≈$4,590 | ≈$8,414 | $11,993 |
| Family health premiumEmployer plan, total monthly cost incl. employer share | ≈$722 | ≈$1,323 | $2,235 |
| Having a baby in hospitalUncomplicated delivery, billed charges | ≈$7,397 | ≈$13,558 | $15,800 |
| A weddingCeremony and reception, not counting the ring | ≈$21,177 | ≈$38,816 | $34,802 |
| Cross-country flightRound trip coach, New York to Los Angeles | ≈$429 | ≈$787 | $444 |
| A first-class stampOne ounce, the price posted by the USPS | $0.37 | $0.68 | $0.78 |
U.S. prices at midyear 2003. ≈ marks estimates between data points; each item’s page lists its sources. Today’s dollars use the Consumer Price Index (CPI-U).