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 $1.66 buys today.
| Item | 2006 | 2006 in today’s dollars | Sep 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| SalaryAverage yearly wage | $38,651 | $64,284 | $74,400 |
| Payroll taxSocial Security and Medicare, employee share, yearly, on the average wage | $2,957 | $4,918 | $5,692 |
| A dozen eggsGrade A large, grocery store | ≈$1.32 | ≈$2.20 | $3.80 |
| A gallon of milkWhole milk, grocery store | ≈$3.09 | ≈$5.14 | $4.15 |
| Thanksgiving dinner for 10The Farm Bureau’s basket: turkey, sides and pie | ≈$38.03 | ≈$63.25 | $55.90 |
| Big MacSandwich only; sold nationally since 1968 | ≈$3.22 | ≈$5.36 | $6.05 |
| Ham & cheese sandwich groceries1 lb white bread, 1 lb sliced ham, 1 lb American cheese | ≈$8.87 | ≈$14.75 | $13.60 |
| Tank of gas15 gallons of regular unleaded | $38.85 | $64.62 | $66.60 |
| Car insuranceAverage yearly premium | ≈$822 | ≈$1,368 | $1,740 |
| Monthly rentMedian rent including utilities | ≈$752 | ≈$1,250 | $1,560 |
| Monthly mortgage paymentMedian home, 20% down, 30-yr fixed, with taxes and insurance | $1,361 | $2,264 | $2,721 |
| Property taxAverage yearly bill on a single-family home | ≈$2,525 | ≈$4,200 | $4,380 |
| A movie ticketAverage admission, all showtimes | ≈$6.68 | ≈$11.11 | $11.55 |
| A pack of cigarettesPremium brand, including state taxes | ≈$4.43 | ≈$7.37 | $8.65 |
| A night in a hotelMid-range room, average nightly rate | ≈$95.98 | ≈$160 | $164 |
| Cable TV billMonthly expanded basic package | ≈$43.82 | ≈$72.88 | $108 |
| MLB game ticketAverage non-premium seat | $22.21 | $36.94 | $39.50 |
| Daycare for one toddlerFull-time, licensed center, monthly | ≈$652 | ≈$1,085 | $1,370 |
| A year of public universityIn-state tuition and fees, four-year public | ≈$5,867 | ≈$9,759 | $11,800 |
| Family health premiumEmployer plan, total monthly cost incl. employer share | ≈$934 | ≈$1,554 | $2,240 |
| Having a baby in hospitalUncomplicated delivery, billed charges | ≈$8,417 | ≈$13,999 | $15,700 |
| A weddingCeremony and reception, not counting the ring | ≈$22,386 | ≈$37,233 | $34,700 |
| Cross-country flightRound trip coach, New York to Los Angeles | ≈$408 | ≈$679 | $435 |
| 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).