In 2017, the average U.S. salary was $50,322 a year, a gallon of regular gas cost $2.42 and median rent was $1,012 a month. A dollar from 2017 buys what $1.38 buys today.
| Item | 2017 | 2017 in today’s dollars | Oct 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| SalaryAverage yearly wage | $50,322 | $69,244 | $74,499 |
| Payroll taxSocial Security and Medicare, employee share, yearly, on the average wage | $3,850 | $5,297 | $5,699 |
| A dozen eggsGrade A large, grocery store | ≈$1.71 | ≈$2.36 | $3.80 |
| A gallon of milkWhole milk, grocery store | ≈$3.25 | ≈$4.47 | $4.03 |
| Thanksgiving dinner for 10The Farm Bureau’s basket: turkey, sides and pie | ≈$49.51 | ≈$68.12 | $55.94 |
| Big MacSandwich only; sold nationally since 1968 | $5.30 | $7.29 | $6.06 |
| Ham & cheese sandwich groceries1 lb white bread, 1 lb sliced ham, 1 lb American cheese | ≈$10.35 | ≈$14.24 | $13.67 |
| Tank of gas15 gallons of regular unleaded | $36.30 | $49.95 | $66.06 |
| Car insuranceAverage yearly premium | ≈$975 | ≈$1,342 | $1,736 |
| Monthly rentMedian rent including utilities | $1,012 | $1,393 | $1,565 |
| Monthly mortgage paymentMedian home, 20% down, 30-yr fixed, with taxes and insurance | $1,229 | $1,691 | $2,787 |
| Property taxAverage yearly bill on a single-family home | $3,399 | $4,677 | $4,406 |
| A movie ticketAverage admission, all showtimes | ≈$8.79 | ≈$12.09 | $11.60 |
| A pack of cigarettesPremium brand, including state taxes | ≈$6.79 | ≈$9.34 | $8.72 |
| A night in a hotelMid-range room, average nightly rate | ≈$125 | ≈$173 | $163 |
| Cable TV billMonthly expanded basic package | ≈$74.89 | ≈$103 | $108 |
| MLB game ticketAverage non-premium seat | ≈$31.71 | ≈$43.64 | $42.50 |
| Daycare for one toddlerFull-time, licensed center, monthly | ≈$999 | ≈$1,374 | $1,382 |
| A year of public universityIn-state tuition and fees, four-year public | ≈$9,634 | ≈$13,257 | $11,993 |
| Family health premiumEmployer plan, total monthly cost incl. employer share | $1,550 | $2,133 | $2,235 |
| Having a baby in hospitalUncomplicated delivery, billed charges | ≈$12,227 | ≈$16,825 | $15,800 |
| A weddingCeremony and reception, not counting the ring | ≈$29,462 | ≈$40,540 | $34,802 |
| Cross-country flightRound trip coach, New York to Los Angeles | ≈$397 | ≈$547 | $444 |
| A first-class stampOne ounce, the price posted by the USPS | $0.49 | $0.67 | $0.78 |
U.S. prices at midyear 2017. ≈ marks estimates between data points; each item’s page lists its sources. Today’s dollars use the Consumer Price Index (CPI-U).