In 2009, the average U.S. salary was $40,712 a year, a gallon of regular gas cost $2.48 and median rent was about $828 a month. A dollar from 2009 buys what $1.57 buys today.
| Item | 2009 | 2009 in today’s dollars | Oct 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| SalaryAverage yearly wage | $40,712 | $64,012 | $74,499 |
| Payroll taxSocial Security and Medicare, employee share, yearly, on the average wage | $3,114 | $4,897 | $5,699 |
| A dozen eggsGrade A large, grocery store | ≈$1.60 | ≈$2.51 | $3.80 |
| A gallon of milkWhole milk, grocery store | ≈$3.25 | ≈$5.10 | $4.03 |
| Thanksgiving dinner for 10The Farm Bureau’s basket: turkey, sides and pie | ≈$42.04 | ≈$66.10 | $55.94 |
| Big MacSandwich only; sold nationally since 1968 | ≈$3.65 | ≈$5.74 | $6.06 |
| Ham & cheese sandwich groceries1 lb white bread, 1 lb sliced ham, 1 lb American cheese | ≈$9.40 | ≈$14.79 | $13.67 |
| Tank of gas15 gallons of regular unleaded | $37.20 | $58.48 | $66.06 |
| Car insuranceAverage yearly premium | ≈$799 | ≈$1,257 | $1,736 |
| Monthly rentMedian rent including utilities | ≈$828 | ≈$1,302 | $1,565 |
| Monthly mortgage paymentMedian home, 20% down, 30-yr fixed, with taxes and insurance | $936 | $1,472 | $2,787 |
| Property taxAverage yearly bill on a single-family home | ≈$2,765 | ≈$4,348 | $4,406 |
| A movie ticketAverage admission, all showtimes | ≈$7.57 | ≈$11.90 | $11.60 |
| A pack of cigarettesPremium brand, including state taxes | ≈$5.21 | ≈$8.19 | $8.72 |
| A night in a hotelMid-range room, average nightly rate | ≈$98.98 | ≈$156 | $163 |
| Cable TV billMonthly expanded basic package | ≈$51.99 | ≈$81.74 | $108 |
| MLB game ticketAverage non-premium seat | ≈$26.06 | ≈$40.98 | $42.50 |
| Daycare for one toddlerFull-time, licensed center, monthly | ≈$760 | ≈$1,195 | $1,382 |
| A year of public universityIn-state tuition and fees, four-year public | ≈$7,124 | ≈$11,201 | $11,993 |
| Family health premiumEmployer plan, total monthly cost incl. employer share | ≈$1,088 | ≈$1,711 | $2,235 |
| Having a baby in hospitalUncomplicated delivery, billed charges | ≈$9,578 | ≈$15,060 | $15,800 |
| A weddingCeremony and reception, not counting the ring | ≈$23,586 | ≈$37,085 | $34,802 |
| Cross-country flightRound trip coach, New York to Los Angeles | ≈$402 | ≈$632 | $444 |
| A first-class stampOne ounce, the price posted by the USPS | $0.44 | $0.69 | $0.78 |
U.S. prices at midyear 2009. ≈ marks estimates between data points; each item’s page lists its sources. Today’s dollars use the Consumer Price Index (CPI-U).