In 2011, the average U.S. salary was $42,980 a year, a gallon of regular gas cost $3.53 and median rent was about $875 a month. A dollar from 2011 buys what $1.49 buys today.
| Item | 2011 | 2011 in today’s dollars | Sep 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| SalaryAverage yearly wage | $42,980 | $64,078 | $74,400 |
| Payroll taxSocial Security and Medicare, employee share, yearly, on the average wage | $2,428 | $3,620 | $5,692 |
| A dozen eggsGrade A large, grocery store | ≈$1.77 | ≈$2.64 | $3.80 |
| A gallon of milkWhole milk, grocery store | ≈$3.32 | ≈$4.95 | $4.15 |
| Thanksgiving dinner for 10The Farm Bureau’s basket: turkey, sides and pie | ≈$44.72 | ≈$66.68 | $55.90 |
| Big MacSandwich only; sold nationally since 1968 | ≈$3.96 | ≈$5.90 | $6.05 |
| Ham & cheese sandwich groceries1 lb white bread, 1 lb sliced ham, 1 lb American cheese | ≈$9.75 | ≈$14.53 | $13.60 |
| Tank of gas15 gallons of regular unleaded | $52.95 | $78.94 | $66.60 |
| Car insuranceAverage yearly premium | ≈$811 | ≈$1,208 | $1,740 |
| Monthly rentMedian rent including utilities | ≈$875 | ≈$1,304 | $1,560 |
| Monthly mortgage paymentMedian home, 20% down, 30-yr fixed, with taxes and insurance | $856 | $1,277 | $2,721 |
| Property taxAverage yearly bill on a single-family home | ≈$2,920 | ≈$4,353 | $4,380 |
| A movie ticketAverage admission, all showtimes | ≈$8.00 | ≈$11.92 | $11.55 |
| A pack of cigarettesPremium brand, including state taxes | ≈$5.67 | ≈$8.45 | $8.65 |
| A night in a hotelMid-range room, average nightly rate | ≈$104 | ≈$155 | $164 |
| Cable TV billMonthly expanded basic package | ≈$57.58 | ≈$85.84 | $108 |
| MLB game ticketAverage non-premium seat | ≈$26.86 | ≈$40.04 | $39.50 |
| Daycare for one toddlerFull-time, licensed center, monthly | ≈$828 | ≈$1,234 | $1,370 |
| A year of public universityIn-state tuition and fees, four-year public | ≈$7,879 | ≈$11,746 | $11,800 |
| Family health premiumEmployer plan, total monthly cost incl. employer share | ≈$1,207 | ≈$1,800 | $2,240 |
| Having a baby in hospitalUncomplicated delivery, billed charges | ≈$10,283 | ≈$15,331 | $15,700 |
| A weddingCeremony and reception, not counting the ring | ≈$25,260 | ≈$37,660 | $34,700 |
| Cross-country flightRound trip coach, New York to Los Angeles | ≈$402 | ≈$599 | $435 |
| A first-class stampOne ounce, the price posted by the USPS | $0.44 | $0.66 | $0.78 |
U.S. prices at midyear 2011. ≈ marks estimates between data points; each item’s page lists its sources. Today’s dollars use the Consumer Price Index (CPI-U).