In 2012, the average U.S. salary was $44,322 a year, a gallon of regular gas cost $3.64 and median rent was about $895 a month. A dollar from 2012 buys what $1.47 buys today.
| Item | 2012 | 2012 in today’s dollars | Oct 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| SalaryAverage yearly wage | $44,322 | $65,105 | $74,499 |
| Payroll taxSocial Security and Medicare, employee share, yearly, on the average wage | $2,504 | $3,678 | $5,699 |
| A dozen eggsGrade A large, grocery store | ≈$1.85 | ≈$2.72 | $3.80 |
| A gallon of milkWhole milk, grocery store | ≈$3.34 | ≈$4.91 | $4.03 |
| Thanksgiving dinner for 10The Farm Bureau’s basket: turkey, sides and pie | ≈$46.01 | ≈$67.59 | $55.94 |
| Big MacSandwich only; sold nationally since 1968 | $4.20 | $6.17 | $6.06 |
| Ham & cheese sandwich groceries1 lb white bread, 1 lb sliced ham, 1 lb American cheese | ≈$9.91 | ≈$14.55 | $13.67 |
| Tank of gas15 gallons of regular unleaded | $54.60 | $80.20 | $66.06 |
| Car insuranceAverage yearly premium | ≈$829 | ≈$1,218 | $1,736 |
| Monthly rentMedian rent including utilities | ≈$895 | ≈$1,315 | $1,565 |
| Monthly mortgage paymentMedian home, 20% down, 30-yr fixed, with taxes and insurance | $847 | $1,244 | $2,787 |
| Property taxAverage yearly bill on a single-family home | ≈$2,992 | ≈$4,394 | $4,406 |
| A movie ticketAverage admission, all showtimes | ≈$8.10 | ≈$11.90 | $11.60 |
| A pack of cigarettesPremium brand, including state taxes | ≈$5.84 | ≈$8.58 | $8.72 |
| A night in a hotelMid-range room, average nightly rate | ≈$108 | ≈$158 | $163 |
| Cable TV billMonthly expanded basic package | ≈$60.90 | ≈$89.45 | $108 |
| MLB game ticketAverage non-premium seat | $26.98 | $39.63 | $42.50 |
| Daycare for one toddlerFull-time, licensed center, monthly | ≈$857 | ≈$1,259 | $1,382 |
| A year of public universityIn-state tuition and fees, four-year public | ≈$8,168 | ≈$11,998 | $11,993 |
| Family health premiumEmployer plan, total monthly cost incl. employer share | ≈$1,267 | ≈$1,861 | $2,235 |
| Having a baby in hospitalUncomplicated delivery, billed charges | ≈$10,575 | ≈$15,534 | $15,800 |
| A weddingCeremony and reception, not counting the ring | ≈$26,587 | ≈$39,054 | $34,802 |
| Cross-country flightRound trip coach, New York to Los Angeles | ≈$404 | ≈$593 | $444 |
| A first-class stampOne ounce, the price posted by the USPS | $0.45 | $0.66 | $0.78 |
U.S. prices at midyear 2012. ≈ marks estimates between data points; each item’s page lists its sources. Today’s dollars use the Consumer Price Index (CPI-U).