In 2023, the average U.S. salary was $66,621 a year, a gallon of regular gas cost $3.62 and median rent was $1,406 a month. A dollar from 2023 buys what $1.10 buys today.
| Item | 2023 | 2023 in today’s dollars | Oct 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| SalaryAverage yearly wage | $66,621 | $73,560 | $74,499 |
| Payroll taxSocial Security and Medicare, employee share, yearly, on the average wage | $5,097 | $5,627 | $5,699 |
| A dozen eggsGrade A large, grocery store | $2.50 | $2.76 | $3.80 |
| A gallon of milkWhole milk, grocery store | $3.90 | $4.31 | $4.03 |
| Thanksgiving dinner for 10The Farm Bureau’s basket: turkey, sides and pie | $61.17 | $67.54 | $55.94 |
| Big MacSandwich only; sold nationally since 1968 | $5.58 | $6.16 | $6.06 |
| Ham & cheese sandwich groceries1 lb white bread, 1 lb sliced ham, 1 lb American cheese | $12.57 | $13.88 | $13.67 |
| Tank of gas15 gallons of regular unleaded | $54.30 | $59.95 | $66.06 |
| Car insuranceAverage yearly premium | $1,410 | $1,557 | $1,736 |
| Monthly rentMedian rent including utilities | $1,406 | $1,552 | $1,565 |
| Monthly mortgage paymentMedian home, 20% down, 30-yr fixed, with taxes and insurance | $2,474 | $2,731 | $2,787 |
| Property taxAverage yearly bill on a single-family home | $4,062 | $4,485 | $4,406 |
| A movie ticketAverage admission, all showtimes | $10.78 | $11.90 | $11.60 |
| A pack of cigarettesPremium brand, including state taxes | $8.15 | $9.00 | $8.72 |
| A night in a hotelMid-range room, average nightly rate | $155 | $171 | $163 |
| Cable TV billMonthly expanded basic package | $98.00 | $108 | $108 |
| MLB game ticketAverage non-premium seat | $35.50 | $39.20 | $42.50 |
| Daycare for one toddlerFull-time, licensed center, monthly | $1,250 | $1,380 | $1,382 |
| A year of public universityIn-state tuition and fees, four-year public | $11,100 | $12,256 | $11,993 |
| Family health premiumEmployer plan, total monthly cost incl. employer share | $1,990 | $2,197 | $2,235 |
| Having a baby in hospitalUncomplicated delivery, billed charges | $14,600 | $16,121 | $15,800 |
| A weddingCeremony and reception, not counting the ring | $35,000 | $38,645 | $34,802 |
| Cross-country flightRound trip coach, New York to Los Angeles | $430 | $475 | $444 |
| A first-class stampOne ounce, the price posted by the USPS | $0.66 | $0.73 | $0.78 |
U.S. prices at midyear 2023. ≈ marks estimates between data points; each item’s page lists its sources. Today’s dollars use the Consumer Price Index (CPI-U).