In 2005, the average U.S. salary was $36,953 a year, a gallon of regular gas cost $2.30 and median rent was $728 a month. A dollar from 2005 buys what $1.73 buys today.
| Item | 2005 | 2005 in today’s dollars | Oct 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| SalaryAverage yearly wage | $36,953 | $63,814 | $74,499 |
| Payroll taxSocial Security and Medicare, employee share, yearly, on the average wage | $2,827 | $4,882 | $5,699 |
| A dozen eggsGrade A large, grocery store | ≈$1.24 | ≈$2.15 | $3.80 |
| A gallon of milkWhole milk, grocery store | ≈$3.04 | ≈$5.25 | $4.03 |
| Thanksgiving dinner for 10The Farm Bureau’s basket: turkey, sides and pie | $36.78 | $63.52 | $55.94 |
| Big MacSandwich only; sold nationally since 1968 | $3.06 | $5.28 | $6.06 |
| Ham & cheese sandwich groceries1 lb white bread, 1 lb sliced ham, 1 lb American cheese | $8.70 | $15.02 | $13.67 |
| Tank of gas15 gallons of regular unleaded | $34.50 | $59.58 | $66.06 |
| Car insuranceAverage yearly premium | $830 | $1,433 | $1,736 |
| Monthly rentMedian rent including utilities | $728 | $1,257 | $1,565 |
| Monthly mortgage paymentMedian home, 20% down, 30-yr fixed, with taxes and insurance | $1,214 | $2,096 | $2,787 |
| Property taxAverage yearly bill on a single-family home | $2,450 | $4,231 | $4,406 |
| A movie ticketAverage admission, all showtimes | $6.41 | $11.07 | $11.60 |
| A pack of cigarettesPremium brand, including state taxes | $4.20 | $7.25 | $8.72 |
| A night in a hotelMid-range room, average nightly rate | $95.00 | $164 | $163 |
| Cable TV billMonthly expanded basic package | $41.17 | $71.10 | $108 |
| MLB game ticketAverage non-premium seat | ≈$20.98 | ≈$36.23 | $42.50 |
| Daycare for one toddlerFull-time, licensed center, monthly | $620 | $1,071 | $1,382 |
| A year of public universityIn-state tuition and fees, four-year public | $5,500 | $9,498 | $11,993 |
| Family health premiumEmployer plan, total monthly cost incl. employer share | $890 | $1,537 | $2,235 |
| Having a baby in hospitalUncomplicated delivery, billed charges | ≈$8,062 | ≈$13,923 | $15,800 |
| A weddingCeremony and reception, not counting the ring | $22,000 | $37,992 | $34,802 |
| Cross-country flightRound trip coach, New York to Los Angeles | $410 | $708 | $444 |
| A first-class stampOne ounce, the price posted by the USPS | $0.37 | $0.64 | $0.78 |
U.S. prices at midyear 2005. ≈ marks estimates between data points; each item’s page lists its sources. Today’s dollars use the Consumer Price Index (CPI-U).