I agree with @Han Oliver that comparing Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) is definitely the 'correct' way to do it.
I just want to give everyone an intuitive comparison with some examples. Remember, try to not multiply by 6 and compare to prices in China. This isn't a comparison of absolute prices. If something is $10, imagine if you can buy the same thing with 10 RMB.
So what can an American buy with $1, $10, $100, $1,000, $10,000, $100,000 and $1,000,000?