In honor of TopCashback USA’s 15th birthday, we’re comparing 15 things you could buy with $15 in 2011 versus 2026. As you probably guessed, most things have become a bit pricier. Here’s a look at just how far $15 went then compared with now:
| |
$15 could get you... |
2011 |
2026 |
| 1 |
Movie theater tickets |
Nearly 2 tickets at an average of $7.93 each |
Less than 1 ticket in many theaters, with tickets averaging about $16 to $20 |
| 2 |
Music |
A new CD or around 11 to 15 iTunes songs |
About 1 month of a music streaming service |
| 3 |
Movie rentals |
15 Redbox DVD rentals at $1 per night |
Around 2 to 5 digital movie rentals |
| 4 |
Starbucks Caffè Lattes |
Up to 5 16-ounce lattes at about $2.75 to $3.25 each |
Up to 3 lattes at about $4.50 to $5.50 each |
| 5 |
McDonald’s Big Macs |
Up to 4 Big Macs at about $3.50 to $4 each |
Up to 2 Big Macs at about $6.22 to $6.72 each |
| 6 |
Forever Stamps |
About 34 stamps at 44 cents each |
18 stamps at 82 cents each |
| 7 |
Netflix |
Nearly 2 months of the $7.99 standard plan |
About 1 month of the $8.99 ad-supported plan |
| 8 |
Paperback books |
Around 1 to 2 books at $7.99 to $9.99 each |
About 1 book at $13.95 to $17.95 |
| 9 |
Beer at an MLB game |
2 beers at an average of $5.81 each |
1 beer at an average of $8.14 |
| 10 |
Subway footlongs |
3 footlongs at $5 each |
About 1 footlong at $10.99 to $15.99 |
| 11 |
Girl Scout Cookies |
Around 3 to 4 boxes at $3.50 to $4 each |
About 2 boxes at $6 to $7 each |
| 12 |
Mega Millions tickets |
15 plays at $1 each |
3 plays at $5 each |
| 13 |
Bowling |
About 2 games plus shoe rental for roughly $11.50 |
About 1 game plus shoe rental for roughly $11 |
| 14 |
Lip Smacker lip balm |
15 balms at about $1 each |
6 balms at about $2.50 each |
| 15 |
Dunkin’ Donuts |
About 2 dozen at $7.49 to $7.99 per dozen |
About 1 dozen at $14.99 |
Prices are approximate and may vary by location, retailer and date.
by Michelle Harris
Michelle Harris is the Senior Copywriter at TopCashback. When she’s not writing about money-saving tips, she enjoys hiking, cooking and spoiling her cat.
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