In 2004, the average U.S. salary was $35,649 a year, a gallon of regular gas cost $1.88 and median rent was about $701 a month. A dollar from 2004 buys what $1.79 buys today.
| Item | 2004 | 2004 in today’s dollars | Oct 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| SalaryAverage yearly wage | $35,649 | $63,648 | $74,499 |
| Payroll taxSocial Security and Medicare, employee share, yearly, on the average wage | $2,727 | $4,869 | $5,699 |
| A dozen eggsGrade A large, grocery store | ≈$1.17 | ≈$2.09 | $3.80 |
| A gallon of milkWhole milk, grocery store | ≈$2.99 | ≈$5.34 | $4.03 |
| Thanksgiving dinner for 10The Farm Bureau’s basket: turkey, sides and pie | ≈$35.85 | ≈$64.01 | $55.94 |
| Big MacSandwich only; sold nationally since 1968 | ≈$2.88 | ≈$5.14 | $6.06 |
| Ham & cheese sandwich groceries1 lb white bread, 1 lb sliced ham, 1 lb American cheese | ≈$8.52 | ≈$15.21 | $13.67 |
| Tank of gas15 gallons of regular unleaded | $28.20 | $50.35 | $66.06 |
| Car insuranceAverage yearly premium | ≈$800 | ≈$1,428 | $1,736 |
| Monthly rentMedian rent including utilities | ≈$701 | ≈$1,251 | $1,565 |
| Monthly mortgage paymentMedian home, 20% down, 30-yr fixed, with taxes and insurance | $1,081 | $1,931 | $2,787 |
| Property taxAverage yearly bill on a single-family home | ≈$2,316 | ≈$4,135 | $4,406 |
| A movie ticketAverage admission, all showtimes | ≈$6.19 | ≈$11.05 | $11.60 |
| A pack of cigarettesPremium brand, including state taxes | ≈$3.93 | ≈$7.01 | $8.72 |
| A night in a hotelMid-range room, average nightly rate | ≈$92.91 | ≈$166 | $163 |
| Cable TV billMonthly expanded basic package | ≈$38.81 | ≈$69.30 | $108 |
| MLB game ticketAverage non-premium seat | $19.82 | $35.39 | $42.50 |
| Daycare for one toddlerFull-time, licensed center, monthly | ≈$594 | ≈$1,060 | $1,382 |
| A year of public universityIn-state tuition and fees, four-year public | ≈$5,025 | ≈$8,971 | $11,993 |
| Family health premiumEmployer plan, total monthly cost incl. employer share | ≈$801 | ≈$1,431 | $2,235 |
| Having a baby in hospitalUncomplicated delivery, billed charges | ≈$7,722 | ≈$13,787 | $15,800 |
| A weddingCeremony and reception, not counting the ring | ≈$21,585 | ≈$38,537 | $34,802 |
| Cross-country flightRound trip coach, New York to Los Angeles | ≈$420 | ≈$749 | $444 |
| A first-class stampOne ounce, the price posted by the USPS | $0.37 | $0.66 | $0.78 |
U.S. prices at midyear 2004. ≈ marks estimates between data points; each item’s page lists its sources. Today’s dollars use the Consumer Price Index (CPI-U).