In 2008, the average U.S. salary was $41,335 a year, a gallon of regular gas cost $4.03 and median rent was about $802 a month. A dollar from 2008 buys what $1.57 buys today.
| Item | 2008 | 2008 in today’s dollars | Oct 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| SalaryAverage yearly wage | $41,335 | $64,750 | $74,499 |
| Payroll taxSocial Security and Medicare, employee share, yearly, on the average wage | $3,162 | $4,953 | $5,699 |
| A dozen eggsGrade A large, grocery store | ≈$1.50 | ≈$2.35 | $3.80 |
| A gallon of milkWhole milk, grocery store | ≈$3.19 | ≈$5.00 | $4.03 |
| Thanksgiving dinner for 10The Farm Bureau’s basket: turkey, sides and pie | ≈$40.66 | ≈$63.69 | $55.94 |
| Big MacSandwich only; sold nationally since 1968 | $3.57 | $5.59 | $6.06 |
| Ham & cheese sandwich groceries1 lb white bread, 1 lb sliced ham, 1 lb American cheese | ≈$9.22 | ≈$14.45 | $13.67 |
| Tank of gas15 gallons of regular unleaded | $60.42 | $94.65 | $66.06 |
| Car insuranceAverage yearly premium | ≈$807 | ≈$1,264 | $1,736 |
| Monthly rentMedian rent including utilities | ≈$802 | ≈$1,256 | $1,565 |
| Monthly mortgage paymentMedian home, 20% down, 30-yr fixed, with taxes and insurance | $1,167 | $1,828 | $2,787 |
| Property taxAverage yearly bill on a single-family home | ≈$2,683 | ≈$4,202 | $4,406 |
| A movie ticketAverage admission, all showtimes | ≈$7.26 | ≈$11.37 | $11.60 |
| A pack of cigarettesPremium brand, including state taxes | ≈$4.94 | ≈$7.73 | $8.72 |
| A night in a hotelMid-range room, average nightly rate | ≈$97.97 | ≈$153 | $163 |
| Cable TV billMonthly expanded basic package | $49.65 | $77.78 | $108 |
| MLB game ticketAverage non-premium seat | $25.40 | $39.79 | $42.50 |
| Daycare for one toddlerFull-time, licensed center, monthly | ≈$722 | ≈$1,132 | $1,382 |
| A year of public universityIn-state tuition and fees, four-year public | ≈$6,678 | ≈$10,461 | $11,993 |
| Family health premiumEmployer plan, total monthly cost incl. employer share | $1,030 | $1,613 | $2,235 |
| Having a baby in hospitalUncomplicated delivery, billed charges | ≈$9,175 | ≈$14,372 | $15,800 |
| A weddingCeremony and reception, not counting the ring | ≈$23,179 | ≈$36,309 | $34,802 |
| Cross-country flightRound trip coach, New York to Los Angeles | ≈$404 | ≈$633 | $444 |
| A first-class stampOne ounce, the price posted by the USPS | $0.42 | $0.66 | $0.78 |
U.S. prices at midyear 2008. ≈ marks estimates between data points; each item’s page lists its sources. Today’s dollars use the Consumer Price Index (CPI-U).