1. A McDonald’s Big Mac Meal for $13
Back in 2010, you could snag a Big Mac meal for around $5 and feel like you were splurging. Fast forward to 2025, and in many U.S. cities, that same combo can easily cost $13 or more. It’s not just a coastal phenomenon—prices have risen significantly even in the Midwest. That’s nearly triple the cost in just 15 years.
This isn’t just inflation—it’s a mix of higher labor costs, supply chain pressures, and a push for higher food quality. McDonald’s has introduced digital ordering and automation, but that hasn’t made meals cheaper. Customers are feeling the pinch, especially when feeding a family. The Golden Arches just aren’t the bargain stop they used to be.
2. Rent for a One-Bedroom Apartment in NYC: $4,000+
In 2010, paying $2,000 for a one-bedroom in New York City felt extravagant. Now, listings for $4,000 or more are becoming the norm in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and even some Queens neighborhoods. That’s a 100% increase in rent for the same space—or less. It’s left many wondering how anyone affords to live in the city.
Rising demand, luxury conversions, and investor-owned units have all played a role. The pandemic briefly pushed prices down, but they bounced back hard and fast. Rent control? Still exists, but it’s not helping newcomers. The idea of paying nearly $50,000 a year just for rent would’ve sounded like satire in 2010.
3. Eggs Hitting $6 a Dozen
A dozen eggs for six bucks sounds like a punchline from a dystopian comedy. Yet in early 2023, that’s exactly what shoppers were paying due to a historic avian flu outbreak and supply shortages. Prices have since cooled slightly, but they still hover far above the $1–$2 average from the early 2010s. The sticker shock hit every breakfast table.
Even discount chains weren’t immune to the surge. People were sharing egg prices like they were stock tips. Memes compared eggs to luxury goods—because they practically were. It was a strange moment when omelets became a splurge.
4. Taylor Swift Concert Tickets for $1,200+
In 2010, you could see a stadium show for under $100, even for big names like Beyoncé or U2. Now, scoring a decent seat to a Taylor Swift “Eras Tour” concert means shelling out $1,200 or more—if you’re lucky. Many paid well over that on resale sites, with VIP packages topping $5,000. It’s a price tag that feels like it belongs in a sci-fi novel, not on a Ticketmaster checkout page.
Dynamic pricing and bots have warped the concert economy. Swift’s fan base is massive, but even die-hards were stunned. The “experience economy” is real, and people are paying wild sums for memories. Still, nobody in 2010 could have predicted needing a payment plan for concert tickets.
5. Gas at $6.00 a Gallon in California
For decades, gas hovered around $3 a gallon, occasionally spiking during global crises. But in 2022 and 2023, parts of California saw prices over $6 per gallon, especially during summer months. That kind of number used to be tossed around in hypothetical debates about oil scarcity. Suddenly, it was real and showing up at local pumps.
While national averages remained lower, California’s environmental regulations and high taxes played a role. Global supply chain issues and the war in Ukraine pushed prices up across the board. Drivers began rethinking road trips and commuting habits. Some even traded gas guzzlers for e-bikes or scooters.
6. A Netflix Subscription for $23/Month
Remember when Netflix was $7.99 a month and offered unlimited streaming? That simplicity is long gone. Today, the premium plan with 4K and no ads costs $22.99 per month in the U.S. And that’s before you consider password-sharing restrictions or bundling with other services.
The service has expanded massively, but so has the price tag. What started as a cheap Blockbuster replacement now rivals your cable bill. Add in a few other platforms, and you’re well over $100 a month. 2010 you would be stunned—and maybe a little outraged.
7. Used Cars for $30,000+
Used cars were once the smart, affordable choice. But by 2022–2023, the average price of a used car soared past $30,000. That’s about what a new car cost in 2010! Inventory shortages, chip supply issues, and increased demand all contributed to the spike.
People found themselves in bidding wars for 5-year-old sedans. Even modest models like used Honda Civics or Toyota Corollas commanded shocking prices. Leasing wasn’t much better, either. Many drivers ended up keeping old cars just to avoid the chaos.
8. iPhones for Over $1,600
The original iPhone launched in 2007 for $499. By 2010, newer models were still under $700. Today, the top-of-the-line iPhone Pro Max with maximum storage costs $1,599 before tax and accessories. That’s a laptop-level investment in a phone.
Sure, the technology has evolved dramatically—better cameras, AI processors, and display tech. But it’s hard to ignore how the smartphone went from gadget to luxury. People now finance phones the way they do cars. It’s a long way from “there’s an app for that.”
9. A Dozen Bagels for $25 in NYC
In the early 2010s, a fresh bagel in NYC would cost you about $1, maybe $1.50 if you added cream cheese. Now, a dozen bagels at many Manhattan spots can run $20 to $25. Add a tub of cream cheese, and you’re looking at breakfast priced like brunch. This was once a poor man’s feast—now it’s bougie.
Bagel shops cite higher costs for flour, labor, and rent. Still, longtime locals are stunned every time they order. Many nostalgic New Yorkers joke that the “dollar bagel” is officially extinct. And they’re not wrong.
10. College Tuition at $90,000/Year
In 2010, an Ivy League school charged about $50,000 a year in total costs. Today, some elite private universities are nearing $90,000 per year, all in. That includes tuition, room, board, and fees, but still—it’s jaw-dropping. Higher education now rivals the price of a luxury car annually.
Families are taking on staggering debt or turning to less expensive public options. The student loan debate has only intensified. Meanwhile, campuses tout new facilities and prestige programs to justify the cost. But to anyone from 2010, this would sound like a parody of academia.
11. Avocados for $3 Each
Avocados have become a cultural icon, but they weren’t always this pricey. In 2010, you could usually get them for under a dollar each. Today, it’s common to see individual avocados priced at $2.50 to $3 in supermarkets, especially off-season. Suddenly, “avocado toast” doesn’t sound so millennial—it sounds expensive.
Droughts in Mexico and California and labor issues have squeezed the supply. Demand, especially in the U.S., has remained sky-high. What was once a trendy topping is now a line item in the budget. It’s fruit turned luxury.
12. Childcare Costs Exceeding $2,000/Month
Raising kids has never been cheap, but the cost of childcare has gone into the stratosphere. In 2024, parents in major metro areas regularly report paying $2,000 or more per month for a single toddler. In 2010, that same service might have cost $800 to $1,200. The increase has left many families scrambling.
Staff shortages, licensing requirements, and real estate prices have driven the spike. Many parents joke that daycare is more expensive than college. Some even leave the workforce because it’s cheaper than paying for childcare. It’s a crisis that 2010 America wasn’t prepared to imagine.
13. Grocery Bill for a Family of Four: $1,000/Month+
In 2010, a typical family could comfortably feed four people for $600 to $700 a month. In 2025, $1,000 or more is now common—even with meal planning and coupons. Meat, produce, and dairy have all seen sustained increases in price. Families are adjusting by eating out less—but even groceries don’t offer the relief they once did.
Inflation from 2021–2023 hit food especially hard. Package sizes shrank (hello, shrinkflation), but the prices stayed the same—or went up. Essentials like milk, bread, and cereal now command premium prices. Grocery shopping feels more like a budgeting exercise than a chore.
14. Minimum Wage Still at $7.25 While Prices Skyrocket
This isn’t a price of something, but a price point worth noting. The federal minimum wage hasn’t budged from $7.25 since 2009. Meanwhile, nearly everything else on this list has doubled or tripled in cost. The disconnect between wages and expenses feels almost surreal.
While some states and cities have raised their local minimums, many haven’t. That means workers are paying 2025 prices with 2010 wages. In real terms, it’s a massive pay cut. Science fiction? No—just American economic policy.
This post 14 Current Prices That Would Have Sounded Like Science Fiction in 2010 was first published on American Charm.
