In 2010, the average U.S. salary was $41,674 a year, a gallon of regular gas cost $2.79 and median rent was $855 a month. A dollar from 2010 buys what $1.55 buys today.
| Item | 2010 | 2010 in today’s dollars | Oct 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| SalaryAverage yearly wage | $41,674 | $64,443 | $74,499 |
| Payroll taxSocial Security and Medicare, employee share, yearly, on the average wage | $3,188 | $4,930 | $5,699 |
| A dozen eggsGrade A large, grocery store | $1.70 | $2.63 | $3.80 |
| A gallon of milkWhole milk, grocery store | $3.30 | $5.10 | $4.03 |
| Thanksgiving dinner for 10The Farm Bureau’s basket: turkey, sides and pie | $43.47 | $67.22 | $55.94 |
| Big MacSandwich only; sold nationally since 1968 | $3.73 | $5.77 | $6.06 |
| Ham & cheese sandwich groceries1 lb white bread, 1 lb sliced ham, 1 lb American cheese | $9.59 | $14.83 | $13.67 |
| Tank of gas15 gallons of regular unleaded | $41.85 | $64.72 | $66.06 |
| Car insuranceAverage yearly premium | $792 | $1,225 | $1,736 |
| Monthly rentMedian rent including utilities | $855 | $1,322 | $1,565 |
| Monthly mortgage paymentMedian home, 20% down, 30-yr fixed, with taxes and insurance | $911 | $1,409 | $2,787 |
| Property taxAverage yearly bill on a single-family home | $2,850 | $4,407 | $4,406 |
| A movie ticketAverage admission, all showtimes | $7.89 | $12.20 | $11.60 |
| A pack of cigarettesPremium brand, including state taxes | $5.50 | $8.50 | $8.72 |
| A night in a hotelMid-range room, average nightly rate | $100 | $155 | $163 |
| Cable TV billMonthly expanded basic package | $54.44 | $84.18 | $108 |
| MLB game ticketAverage non-premium seat | $26.74 | $41.35 | $42.50 |
| Daycare for one toddlerFull-time, licensed center, monthly | $800 | $1,237 | $1,382 |
| A year of public universityIn-state tuition and fees, four-year public | $7,600 | $11,752 | $11,993 |
| Family health premiumEmployer plan, total monthly cost incl. employer share | $1,150 | $1,778 | $2,235 |
| Having a baby in hospitalUncomplicated delivery, billed charges | $10,000 | $15,464 | $15,800 |
| A weddingCeremony and reception, not counting the ring | $24,000 | $37,113 | $34,802 |
| Cross-country flightRound trip coach, New York to Los Angeles | $400 | $619 | $444 |
| A first-class stampOne ounce, the price posted by the USPS | $0.44 | $0.68 | $0.78 |
U.S. prices at midyear 2010. ≈ marks estimates between data points; each item’s page lists its sources. Today’s dollars use the Consumer Price Index (CPI-U).