According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for recreational reading materials were 111.97% higher in 2018 versus 1986 (a $22.39 difference in value).
Between 1986 and 2018: Recreational reading materials experienced an average inflation rate of 2.38% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, recreational reading materials costing $20 in the year 1986 would cost $42.39 in 2018 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.62% during this same period, inflation for recreational reading materials was lower.
In the year 1986: Pricing changed by 4.45%, which is above the average yearly change for recreational reading materials during the 1986-2018 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1986 (1.90%), inflation for recreational reading materials was higher.
Raw Consumer Price Index data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for Recreational reading materials:
| Year | 1977 | 1978 | 1979 | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 |
| CPI | 63.300 | 65.138 | 70.046 | 77.685 | 85.900 | 94.354 | 101.177 | 104.477 | 110.685 | 115.615 | 119.492 | 124.277 | 129.531 | 136.154 | 144.715 | 150.862 | 156.200 | 161.331 | 168.115 | 176.408 | 179.008 | 184.123 | 186.100 | 188.285 | 191.438 | 195.769 | 197.508 | 201.177 | 203.915 | 205.338 | 207.330 | 211.981 | 220.277 | 220.671 | 219.613 | 223.884 | 231.969 | 236.675 | 240.685 | 240.665 | 241.549 | 245.072 |
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Recreational reading materials, over time, for $20 beginning in 1986. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1986 | $20.00 | 4.45% |
| 1987 | $20.67 | 3.35% |
| 1988 | $21.50 | 4.00% |
| 1989 | $22.41 | 4.23% |
| 1990 | $23.55 | 5.11% |
| 1991 | $25.03 | 6.29% |
| 1992 | $26.10 | 4.25% |
| 1993 | $27.02 | 3.54% |
| 1994 | $27.91 | 3.28% |
| 1995 | $29.08 | 4.21% |
| 1996 | $30.52 | 4.93% |
| 1997 | $30.97 | 1.47% |
| 1998 | $31.85 | 2.86% |
| 1999 | $32.19 | 1.07% |
| 2000 | $32.57 | 1.17% |
| 2001 | $33.12 | 1.68% |
| 2002 | $33.87 | 2.26% |
| 2003 | $34.17 | 0.89% |
| 2004 | $34.80 | 1.86% |
| 2005 | $35.27 | 1.36% |
| 2006 | $35.52 | 0.70% |
| 2007 | $35.87 | 0.97% |
| 2008 | $36.67 | 2.24% |
| 2009 | $38.11 | 3.91% |
| 2010 | $38.17 | 0.18% |
| 2011 | $37.99 | -0.48% |
| 2012 | $38.73 | 1.94% |
| 2013 | $40.13 | 3.61% |
| 2014 | $40.94 | 2.03% |
| 2015 | $41.64 | 1.69% |
| 2016 | $41.63 | -0.01% |
| 2017 | $41.78 | 0.37% |
| 2018 | $42.39 | 1.46%* |