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 $1.41 buys today.
| Item | 2015 | 2015 in today’s dollars | Sep 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| SalaryAverage yearly wage | $48,099 | $68,049 | $74,400 |
| Payroll taxSocial Security and Medicare, employee share, yearly, on the average wage | $3,680 | $5,206 | $5,692 |
| A dozen eggsGrade A large, grocery store | $2.10 | $2.97 | $3.80 |
| A gallon of milkWhole milk, grocery store | $3.40 | $4.81 | $4.15 |
| Thanksgiving dinner for 10The Farm Bureau’s basket: turkey, sides and pie | $50.11 | $70.89 | $55.90 |
| Big MacSandwich only; sold nationally since 1968 | $4.79 | $6.78 | $6.05 |
| Ham & cheese sandwich groceries1 lb white bread, 1 lb sliced ham, 1 lb American cheese | $10.40 | $14.71 | $13.60 |
| Tank of gas15 gallons of regular unleaded | $36.75 | $51.99 | $66.60 |
| Car insuranceAverage yearly premium | $889 | $1,258 | $1,740 |
| Monthly rentMedian rent including utilities | $959 | $1,357 | $1,560 |
| Monthly mortgage paymentMedian home, 20% down, 30-yr fixed, with taxes and insurance | $1,084 | $1,534 | $2,721 |
| Property taxAverage yearly bill on a single-family home | ≈$3,217 | ≈$4,551 | $4,380 |
| A movie ticketAverage admission, all showtimes | $8.43 | $11.93 | $11.55 |
| A pack of cigarettesPremium brand, including state taxes | $6.40 | $9.05 | $8.65 |
| A night in a hotelMid-range room, average nightly rate | $120 | $170 | $164 |
| Cable TV billMonthly expanded basic package | $69.03 | $97.66 | $108 |
| MLB game ticketAverage non-premium seat | $28.94 | $40.94 | $39.50 |
| Daycare for one toddlerFull-time, licensed center, monthly | $950 | $1,344 | $1,370 |
| A year of public universityIn-state tuition and fees, four-year public | $9,100 | $12,874 | $11,800 |
| Family health premiumEmployer plan, total monthly cost incl. employer share | $1,430 | $2,023 | $2,240 |
| Having a baby in hospitalUncomplicated delivery, billed charges | $11,500 | $16,270 | $15,700 |
| A weddingCeremony and reception, not counting the ring | $31,000 | $43,858 | $34,700 |
| Cross-country flightRound trip coach, New York to Los Angeles | $410 | $580 | $435 |
| A first-class stampOne ounce, the price posted by the USPS | $0.49 | $0.69 | $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).