Skip to content
Salary Thief

Price notes

Where each of
these prices came from

Every price used in a conversion is listed here with its basis. Prices someone actually checked are marked differently from figures chosen as an assumption.

Items
27
Checked source
0
Assumption
27
Data version
2026.10.11-1

Every price here is marked "assumption": a single plausible figure chosen so the conversion has something to work with. None of them is a surveyed or official price. Items marked with a source show where the figure came from and when it was checked.

What the labels mean

  • Checked sourceA price looked up on an official page. The source link, the date the price applied and the date it was checked are all recorded. No figure is used that is not in the source.
  • Assumption, for funA plausible figure chosen so the conversion has something to work with. It is not a market price, and no source link is attached — because there is no source.
  • Your own priceA price you changed yourself on the calculator screen. It applies only in this browser.

Prices move with the city, the delivery fee, the options, the seller and the season. Even a checked price is never labelled an "average" without evidence that it is one.

Fast food

  • Fried chicken (8 pieces)

    $24 / bucketAssumption, for fun
    Basis
    A shared bucket from a national chain, before delivery fees
    Region
    United States (large-city assumption)
    Notes
    Chains, cities and promotions move this a lot. A fun assumption, not a surveyed price.

  • Big Mac meal

    $11 / mealAssumption, for fun
    Basis
    Combo meal at a standalone city location
    Region
    United States (large-city assumption)
    Notes
    Airport and highway locations charge noticeably more.

  • Burrito bowl

    $12 / bowlAssumption, for fun
    Basis
    Single bowl with chicken, no extras
    Region
    United States (large-city assumption)
    Notes
    Add-ons like guacamole are not included.

  • Pizza slice

    $4.5 / sliceAssumption, for fun
    Basis
    One cheese slice at a counter-service shop
    Region
    United States (large-city assumption)
    Notes
    Ranges from under $2 to over $6 depending on the city.

  • Fried chicken sandwich

    $5.5 / eachAssumption, for fun
    Basis
    Sandwich only, no meal upgrade
    Region
    United States (large-city assumption)
    Notes
    A fun assumption, not a surveyed price.

Coffee

  • Grande latte

    $6 / cupAssumption, for fun
    Basis
    Medium milk-based drink at a national coffee chain
    Region
    United States (large-city assumption)
    Notes
    Syrups, alternative milks and tips are not included.

  • Drip coffee

    $2.75 / cupAssumption, for fun
    Basis
    Plain brewed coffee, small size
    Region
    United States (large-city assumption)
    Notes
    Diners and gas stations charge much less than cafes.

Dining out

  • Ramen bowl

    $18 / bowlAssumption, for fun
    Basis
    One bowl at a sit-down shop, before tax and tip
    Region
    United States (large-city assumption)
    Notes
    Tax and tip can add 25% or more in some cities.

  • Dinner for two

    $70 / mealAssumption, for fun
    Basis
    Mid-range restaurant, two mains and two drinks, before tip
    Region
    United States (large-city assumption)
    Notes
    This is the assumption most sensitive to the city you are in.

  • Weekend brunch

    $22 / plateAssumption, for fun
    Basis
    One plate plus coffee, before tip
    Region
    United States (large-city assumption)
    Notes
    A fun assumption, not a surveyed price.

Groceries

  • Milk (1 gallon)

    $4.2 / gallonAssumption, for fun
    Basis
    Store-brand whole milk at a supermarket
    Region
    United States (large-city assumption)
    Notes
    Convenience stores charge considerably more.

  • Eggs (dozen)

    $4.5 / dozenAssumption, for fun
    Basis
    Store-brand large eggs at a supermarket
    Region
    United States (large-city assumption)
    Notes
    Egg prices have swung widely in recent years.

  • Energy drink

    $3.5 / canAssumption, for fun
    Basis
    Single can at a convenience store
    Region
    United States (large-city assumption)
    Notes
    Multipacks cost much less per can.

Movies & culture

  • Movie ticket

    $14 / ticketAssumption, for fun
    Basis
    One adult evening ticket, standard screen
    Region
    United States (large-city assumption)
    Notes
    Premium formats and big-city theaters cost more.

  • Concert ticket

    $95 / ticketAssumption, for fun
    Basis
    Upper-level seat at an arena show, including fees
    Region
    United States (large-city assumption)
    Notes
    Fees vary enormously by seller and event.

Subscriptions

  • Netflix Standard (month)

    $18 / monthAssumption, for fun
    Basis
    One month of the ad-free Standard plan
    Region
    United States (large-city assumption)
    Notes
    Plan names and prices change often.

  • Spotify Premium (month)

    $12 / monthAssumption, for fun
    Basis
    One month of an individual plan
    Region
    United States (large-city assumption)
    Notes
    Student, duo and family plans differ.

  • Gym membership (month)

    $45 / monthAssumption, for fun
    Basis
    Mid-tier chain gym, no joining fee counted
    Region
    United States (large-city assumption)
    Notes
    Budget chains cost a third of this.

Living

  • Haircut

    $35 / visitAssumption, for fun
    Basis
    Walk-in cut at a neighborhood salon, before tip
    Region
    United States (large-city assumption)
    Notes
    A fun assumption, not a surveyed price.

  • Phone plan (month)

    $60 / monthAssumption, for fun
    Basis
    One line on a major carrier with data
    Region
    United States (large-city assumption)
    Notes
    Multi-line and prepaid plans cost much less per line.

  • Smartphone (flagship)

    $829 / eachAssumption, for fun
    Basis
    Base storage, bought outright without a carrier deal
    Region
    United States (large-city assumption)
    Notes
    Trade-ins and carrier credits change this a lot.

Transport

  • Subway fare

    $2.9 / rideAssumption, for fun
    Basis
    One single ride in a large metro system
    Region
    United States (large-city assumption)
    Notes
    Fares differ by city, and passes lower the per-ride cost.

  • 10-minute rideshare

    $18 / rideAssumption, for fun
    Basis
    Short city trip at normal (non-surge) pricing
    Region
    United States (large-city assumption)
    Notes
    Surge pricing can multiply this.

  • Gas (1 gallon)

    $3.4 / gallonAssumption, for fun
    Basis
    Regular unleaded, national ballpark
    Region
    United States (large-city assumption)
    Notes
    State taxes make this vary widely.

Travel

  • Domestic round trip

    $320 / tripAssumption, for fun
    Basis
    Economy round trip booked a few weeks ahead
    Region
    United States (large-city assumption)
    Notes
    Routes, dates and baggage fees dominate this figure.

  • Hotel night

    $180 / nightAssumption, for fun
    Basis
    Mid-range chain hotel, one night, before taxes
    Region
    United States (large-city assumption)
    Notes
    City and season change this more than anything else.

Housing

  • 1-bedroom rent (month)

    $1,650 / monthAssumption, for fun
    Basis
    One-bedroom apartment, mid-size city, excluding utilities
    Region
    United States (large-city assumption)
    Notes
    This is a national middle guess. Coastal cities are far higher and small towns far lower.

If a price looks wrong

Use "Edit prices" on the calculator screen to replace it with a figure you know, or add an item of your own. How it works