| Category | 1776 (Then) | 2026 (Now) |
|---|
| Life expectancy | ~35–40 years | ~77–80 years |
| Infant mortality | ~20–25% | ~0.5–0.6% |
| Average number of children per family | 6–8 | 1.7–2.0 |
| Most common jobs | Farmer, artisan, blacksmith, servant | Office worker, healthcare worker, teacher, service industry |
| Average age of marriage | Women: 20 | Women: 28 |
| Men: 22 | Men: 30 |
| Favorite foods | Bread, salted meat, porridge, cornmeal, vegetables in season | Pizza, burgers, pasta, ethnic cuisines (Mexican, Asian, Italian) |
| Clothing | Homemade wool/linen, dresses, breeches | Mass-produced clothing, jeans, t-shirts, sneakers |
| Literacy rate | ~60% (higher among men, lower among women) | ~99% |
| Travel | Horseback, walking, sailboats, wagons | Cars, planes, trains, buses |
| Popular drinks | Ale, cider, water, tea | Coffee, soda, water, craft beer |
| Technology | Candles, open hearths, handwritten letters | Smartphones, laptops, electricity, internet |
| Daily work hours | 12–14 hours | 8–9 hours (average) |
| Housing | Log cabins, small farmhouses | Suburban houses, apartments, urban condos |
| Slavery | Legal and common in southern states | Abolished; slavery illegal |
| Education | Limited; mostly boys in town schools | Public education universal, co-ed, K-12 + college |
| Medical care | Herbal remedies, barber surgeons | Hospitals, doctors, modern medicine |
| Entertainment | Singing, dancing, storytelling, fairs | Movies, streaming, video games, concerts, sports |
| Communication | Letters, word of mouth | Phone calls, text, email, social media |
| Transportation speed | ~3–5 mph walking, 8–15 mph horse | 60–70 mph cars, 500–600 mph planes |
| Home heating | Wood stoves, fireplaces | Central heating, electricity |