In 2013, the average U.S. salary was $44,888 a year, a gallon of regular gas cost $3.53 and median rent was about $916 a month. A dollar from 2013 buys what $1.45 buys today.
| Item | 2013 | 2013 in today’s dollars | Oct 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| SalaryAverage yearly wage | $44,888 | $64,974 | $74,499 |
| Payroll taxSocial Security and Medicare, employee share, yearly, on the average wage | $3,434 | $4,971 | $5,699 |
| A dozen eggsGrade A large, grocery store | ≈$1.93 | ≈$2.79 | $3.80 |
| A gallon of milkWhole milk, grocery store | ≈$3.36 | ≈$4.86 | $4.03 |
| Thanksgiving dinner for 10The Farm Bureau’s basket: turkey, sides and pie | ≈$47.34 | ≈$68.52 | $55.94 |
| Big MacSandwich only; sold nationally since 1968 | ≈$4.39 | ≈$6.35 | $6.06 |
| Ham & cheese sandwich groceries1 lb white bread, 1 lb sliced ham, 1 lb American cheese | ≈$10.07 | ≈$14.57 | $13.67 |
| Tank of gas15 gallons of regular unleaded | $52.95 | $76.64 | $66.06 |
| Car insuranceAverage yearly premium | ≈$849 | ≈$1,229 | $1,736 |
| Monthly rentMedian rent including utilities | ≈$916 | ≈$1,326 | $1,565 |
| Monthly mortgage paymentMedian home, 20% down, 30-yr fixed, with taxes and insurance | $974 | $1,410 | $2,787 |
| Property taxAverage yearly bill on a single-family home | ≈$3,065 | ≈$4,436 | $4,406 |
| A movie ticketAverage admission, all showtimes | ≈$8.21 | ≈$11.88 | $11.60 |
| A pack of cigarettesPremium brand, including state taxes | ≈$6.02 | ≈$8.72 | $8.72 |
| A night in a hotelMid-range room, average nightly rate | ≈$112 | ≈$161 | $163 |
| Cable TV billMonthly expanded basic package | $64.41 | $93.23 | $108 |
| MLB game ticketAverage non-premium seat | ≈$27.45 | ≈$39.73 | $42.50 |
| Daycare for one toddlerFull-time, licensed center, monthly | ≈$887 | ≈$1,284 | $1,382 |
| A year of public universityIn-state tuition and fees, four-year public | ≈$8,467 | ≈$12,256 | $11,993 |
| Family health premiumEmployer plan, total monthly cost incl. employer share | $1,330 | $1,925 | $2,235 |
| Having a baby in hospitalUncomplicated delivery, billed charges | ≈$10,875 | ≈$15,741 | $15,800 |
| A weddingCeremony and reception, not counting the ring | ≈$27,983 | ≈$40,505 | $34,802 |
| Cross-country flightRound trip coach, New York to Los Angeles | ≈$406 | ≈$588 | $444 |
| A first-class stampOne ounce, the price posted by the USPS | $0.46 | $0.67 | $0.78 |
U.S. prices at midyear 2013. ≈ marks estimates between data points; each item’s page lists its sources. Today’s dollars use the Consumer Price Index (CPI-U).