In 2006, the average U.S. salary was $38,651 a year, a gallon of regular gas cost $2.59 and median rent was about $752 a month. A dollar from 2006 buys what $1.67 buys today.
| Item | 2006 | 2006 in today’s dollars | Oct 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| SalaryAverage yearly wage | $38,651 | $64,660 | $74,499 |
| Payroll taxSocial Security and Medicare, employee share, yearly, on the average wage | $2,957 | $4,947 | $5,699 |
| A dozen eggsGrade A large, grocery store | ≈$1.32 | ≈$2.21 | $3.80 |
| A gallon of milkWhole milk, grocery store | ≈$3.09 | ≈$5.17 | $4.03 |
| Thanksgiving dinner for 10The Farm Bureau’s basket: turkey, sides and pie | ≈$38.03 | ≈$63.62 | $55.94 |
| Big MacSandwich only; sold nationally since 1968 | ≈$3.22 | ≈$5.39 | $6.06 |
| Ham & cheese sandwich groceries1 lb white bread, 1 lb sliced ham, 1 lb American cheese | ≈$8.87 | ≈$14.84 | $13.67 |
| Tank of gas15 gallons of regular unleaded | $38.85 | $64.99 | $66.06 |
| Car insuranceAverage yearly premium | ≈$822 | ≈$1,376 | $1,736 |
| Monthly rentMedian rent including utilities | ≈$752 | ≈$1,258 | $1,565 |
| Monthly mortgage paymentMedian home, 20% down, 30-yr fixed, with taxes and insurance | $1,361 | $2,277 | $2,787 |
| Property taxAverage yearly bill on a single-family home | ≈$2,525 | ≈$4,225 | $4,406 |
| A movie ticketAverage admission, all showtimes | ≈$6.68 | ≈$11.18 | $11.60 |
| A pack of cigarettesPremium brand, including state taxes | ≈$4.43 | ≈$7.42 | $8.72 |
| A night in a hotelMid-range room, average nightly rate | ≈$95.98 | ≈$161 | $163 |
| Cable TV billMonthly expanded basic package | ≈$43.82 | ≈$73.31 | $108 |
| MLB game ticketAverage non-premium seat | $22.21 | $37.16 | $42.50 |
| Daycare for one toddlerFull-time, licensed center, monthly | ≈$652 | ≈$1,091 | $1,382 |
| A year of public universityIn-state tuition and fees, four-year public | ≈$5,867 | ≈$9,816 | $11,993 |
| Family health premiumEmployer plan, total monthly cost incl. employer share | ≈$934 | ≈$1,563 | $2,235 |
| Having a baby in hospitalUncomplicated delivery, billed charges | ≈$8,417 | ≈$14,081 | $15,800 |
| A weddingCeremony and reception, not counting the ring | ≈$22,386 | ≈$37,450 | $34,802 |
| Cross-country flightRound trip coach, New York to Los Angeles | ≈$408 | ≈$683 | $444 |
| A first-class stampOne ounce, the price posted by the USPS | $0.39 | $0.65 | $0.78 |
U.S. prices at midyear 2006. ≈ marks estimates between data points; each item’s page lists its sources. Today’s dollars use the Consumer Price Index (CPI-U).