In 2016, the average U.S. salary was $48,642 a year, a gallon of regular gas cost $2.14 and median rent was about $985 a month. A dollar from 2016 buys what $1.41 buys today.
| Item | 2016 | 2016 in today’s dollars | Oct 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| SalaryAverage yearly wage | $48,642 | $68,355 | $74,499 |
| Payroll taxSocial Security and Medicare, employee share, yearly, on the average wage | $3,721 | $5,229 | $5,699 |
| A dozen eggsGrade A large, grocery store | ≈$1.90 | ≈$2.67 | $3.80 |
| A gallon of milkWhole milk, grocery store | ≈$3.32 | ≈$4.67 | $4.03 |
| Thanksgiving dinner for 10The Farm Bureau’s basket: turkey, sides and pie | ≈$49.81 | ≈$69.99 | $55.94 |
| Big MacSandwich only; sold nationally since 1968 | ≈$5.04 | ≈$7.08 | $6.06 |
| Ham & cheese sandwich groceries1 lb white bread, 1 lb sliced ham, 1 lb American cheese | ≈$10.37 | ≈$14.58 | $13.67 |
| Tank of gas15 gallons of regular unleaded | $32.10 | $45.11 | $66.06 |
| Car insuranceAverage yearly premium | ≈$931 | ≈$1,309 | $1,736 |
| Monthly rentMedian rent including utilities | ≈$985 | ≈$1,384 | $1,565 |
| Monthly mortgage paymentMedian home, 20% down, 30-yr fixed, with taxes and insurance | $1,127 | $1,583 | $2,787 |
| Property taxAverage yearly bill on a single-family home | $3,296 | $4,632 | $4,406 |
| A movie ticketAverage admission, all showtimes | ≈$8.61 | ≈$12.09 | $11.60 |
| A pack of cigarettesPremium brand, including state taxes | ≈$6.59 | ≈$9.26 | $8.72 |
| A night in a hotelMid-range room, average nightly rate | ≈$123 | ≈$172 | $163 |
| Cable TV billMonthly expanded basic package | ≈$71.90 | ≈$101 | $108 |
| MLB game ticketAverage non-premium seat | $31.00 | $43.56 | $42.50 |
| Daycare for one toddlerFull-time, licensed center, monthly | ≈$974 | ≈$1,369 | $1,382 |
| A year of public universityIn-state tuition and fees, four-year public | ≈$9,363 | ≈$13,158 | $11,993 |
| Family health premiumEmployer plan, total monthly cost incl. employer share | ≈$1,489 | ≈$2,092 | $2,235 |
| Having a baby in hospitalUncomplicated delivery, billed charges | ≈$11,858 | ≈$16,663 | $15,800 |
| A weddingCeremony and reception, not counting the ring | ≈$30,221 | ≈$42,468 | $34,802 |
| Cross-country flightRound trip coach, New York to Los Angeles | ≈$404 | ≈$567 | $444 |
| A first-class stampOne ounce, the price posted by the USPS | $0.47 | $0.66 | $0.78 |
U.S. prices at midyear 2016. ≈ marks estimates between data points; each item’s page lists its sources. Today’s dollars use the Consumer Price Index (CPI-U).