06/11/2026
A $100,000 salary in the 1990s felt comfortable because it was.
To have similar buying power today, you'd need roughly $250,000+ per year.
And that's before accounting for things that have risen faster than inflation.
Think about what "middle class" used to mean:
• Owning a home
• Two reliable cars
• Family vacations
• Kids' activities
• Saving for college
• Contributing to retirement
• Health insurance
• Money left over at the end of the month
For many families, that used to be possible on one strong income.
Today, it often feels out of reach even with two incomes.
Back then:
• Median home price: ~$130,000
• New car: ~$15,000
• Gas: ~$1.20/gallon
• State college tuition: ~$3,000/year
Today:
• Median home price: ~$420,000
• New car: ~$50,000+
• Gas: ~$3.50/gallon
• State college tuition: ~$11,000/year
That's why so many people say:
"I make more than my parents did, but I feel worse off."
It's not always about lifestyle inflation.
A lot of the biggest expenses in life have simply gotten much more expensive.
