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 $1.72 buys today.
| Item | 2005 | 2005 in today’s dollars | Sep 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| SalaryAverage yearly wage | $36,953 | $63,443 | $74,400 |
| Payroll taxSocial Security and Medicare, employee share, yearly, on the average wage | $2,827 | $4,853 | $5,692 |
| A dozen eggsGrade A large, grocery store | ≈$1.24 | ≈$2.14 | $3.80 |
| A gallon of milkWhole milk, grocery store | ≈$3.04 | ≈$5.22 | $4.15 |
| Thanksgiving dinner for 10The Farm Bureau’s basket: turkey, sides and pie | $36.78 | $63.15 | $55.90 |
| Big MacSandwich only; sold nationally since 1968 | $3.06 | $5.25 | $6.05 |
| Ham & cheese sandwich groceries1 lb white bread, 1 lb sliced ham, 1 lb American cheese | $8.70 | $14.94 | $13.60 |
| Tank of gas15 gallons of regular unleaded | $34.50 | $59.23 | $66.60 |
| Car insuranceAverage yearly premium | $830 | $1,425 | $1,740 |
| Monthly rentMedian rent including utilities | $728 | $1,250 | $1,560 |
| Monthly mortgage paymentMedian home, 20% down, 30-yr fixed, with taxes and insurance | $1,214 | $2,084 | $2,721 |
| Property taxAverage yearly bill on a single-family home | $2,450 | $4,206 | $4,380 |
| A movie ticketAverage admission, all showtimes | $6.41 | $11.00 | $11.55 |
| A pack of cigarettesPremium brand, including state taxes | $4.20 | $7.21 | $8.65 |
| A night in a hotelMid-range room, average nightly rate | $95.00 | $163 | $164 |
| Cable TV billMonthly expanded basic package | $41.17 | $70.68 | $108 |
| MLB game ticketAverage non-premium seat | ≈$20.98 | ≈$36.02 | $39.50 |
| Daycare for one toddlerFull-time, licensed center, monthly | $620 | $1,064 | $1,370 |
| A year of public universityIn-state tuition and fees, four-year public | $5,500 | $9,443 | $11,800 |
| Family health premiumEmployer plan, total monthly cost incl. employer share | $890 | $1,528 | $2,240 |
| Having a baby in hospitalUncomplicated delivery, billed charges | ≈$8,062 | ≈$13,842 | $15,700 |
| A weddingCeremony and reception, not counting the ring | $22,000 | $37,771 | $34,700 |
| Cross-country flightRound trip coach, New York to Los Angeles | $410 | $704 | $435 |
| 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).