In 2015, the average U.S. salary was $48,099 a year, a gallon of regular gas cost $2.45 and median rent was $959 a month. A dollar from 2015 buys what $1.42 buys today.
| Item | 2015 | 2015 in today’s dollars | Oct 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| SalaryAverage yearly wage | $48,099 | $68,447 | $74,499 |
| Payroll taxSocial Security and Medicare, employee share, yearly, on the average wage | $3,680 | $5,236 | $5,699 |
| A dozen eggsGrade A large, grocery store | $2.10 | $2.99 | $3.80 |
| A gallon of milkWhole milk, grocery store | $3.40 | $4.84 | $4.03 |
| Thanksgiving dinner for 10The Farm Bureau’s basket: turkey, sides and pie | $50.11 | $71.31 | $55.94 |
| Big MacSandwich only; sold nationally since 1968 | $4.79 | $6.82 | $6.06 |
| Ham & cheese sandwich groceries1 lb white bread, 1 lb sliced ham, 1 lb American cheese | $10.40 | $14.80 | $13.67 |
| Tank of gas15 gallons of regular unleaded | $36.75 | $52.30 | $66.06 |
| Car insuranceAverage yearly premium | $889 | $1,265 | $1,736 |
| Monthly rentMedian rent including utilities | $959 | $1,365 | $1,565 |
| Monthly mortgage paymentMedian home, 20% down, 30-yr fixed, with taxes and insurance | $1,084 | $1,543 | $2,787 |
| Property taxAverage yearly bill on a single-family home | ≈$3,217 | ≈$4,578 | $4,406 |
| A movie ticketAverage admission, all showtimes | $8.43 | $12.00 | $11.60 |
| A pack of cigarettesPremium brand, including state taxes | $6.40 | $9.11 | $8.72 |
| A night in a hotelMid-range room, average nightly rate | $120 | $171 | $163 |
| Cable TV billMonthly expanded basic package | $69.03 | $98.23 | $108 |
| MLB game ticketAverage non-premium seat | $28.94 | $41.18 | $42.50 |
| Daycare for one toddlerFull-time, licensed center, monthly | $950 | $1,352 | $1,382 |
| A year of public universityIn-state tuition and fees, four-year public | $9,100 | $12,950 | $11,993 |
| Family health premiumEmployer plan, total monthly cost incl. employer share | $1,430 | $2,035 | $2,235 |
| Having a baby in hospitalUncomplicated delivery, billed charges | $11,500 | $16,365 | $15,800 |
| A weddingCeremony and reception, not counting the ring | $31,000 | $44,114 | $34,802 |
| Cross-country flightRound trip coach, New York to Los Angeles | $410 | $583 | $444 |
| A first-class stampOne ounce, the price posted by the USPS | $0.49 | $0.70 | $0.78 |
U.S. prices at midyear 2015. ≈ marks estimates between data points; each item’s page lists its sources. Today’s dollars use the Consumer Price Index (CPI-U).