Audio equipment inflation, 1977–2026
Prices are 69.09% lower than in 1977, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Prices are 69.09% lower than in 1977, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for audio equipment are 69.09% lower in 2026 versus 1977 (a $13.82 difference in value).
Between 1977 and 2026, Audio equipment experienced an average inflation rate of -2.37% per year. This rate of change indicates significant deflation. In other words, audio equipment costing $20 in the year 1977 would cost $6.18 in 2026 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 3.53% during this same period, inflation for audio equipment was significantly lower.
The official rate is based on an average household's spending, so your own inflation rate is probably different. The personal inflation calculator works it out from your budget.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Audio equipment, over time, for $20 beginning in 1977. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1977 | $20.00 | - |
| 1978 | $20.60 | 2.98% |
| 1979 | $21.31 | 3.45% |
| 1980 | $21.78 | 2.22% |
| 1981 | $22.49 | 3.24% |
| 1982 | $22.74 | 1.13% |
| 1983 | $22.36 | -1.66% |
| 1984 | $21.79 | -2.58% |
| 1985 | $21.05 | -3.38% |
| 1986 | $20.45 | -2.83% |
| 1987 | $20.75 | 1.43% |
| 1988 | $20.66 | -0.42% |
| 1989 | $20.69 | 0.16% |
| 1990 | $20.77 | 0.38% |
| 1991 | $21.10 | 1.57% |
| 1992 | $21.04 | -0.26% |
| 1993 | $20.93 | -0.52% |
| 1994 | $20.91 | -0.10% |
| 1995 | $20.52 | -1.85% |
| 1996 | $20.23 | -1.44% |
| 1997 | $19.83 | -1.97% |
| 1998 | $18.99 | -4.23% |
| 1999 | $18.22 | -4.07% |
| 2000 | $17.87 | -1.90% |
| 2001 | $17.21 | -3.72% |
| 2002 | $16.36 | -4.95% |
| 2003 | $15.50 | -5.26% |
| 2004 | $14.71 | -5.08% |
| 2005 | $13.50 | -8.20% |
| 2006 | $12.79 | -5.31% |
| 2007 | $12.07 | -5.60% |
| 2008 | $11.50 | -4.73% |
| 2009 | $10.91 | -5.14% |
| 2010 | $10.56 | -3.22% |
| 2011 | $10.06 | -4.65% |
| 2012 | $9.37 | -6.91% |
| 2013 | $8.90 | -4.98% |
| 2014 | $8.48 | -4.79% |
| 2015 | $8.03 | -5.29% |
| 2016 | $7.63 | -4.94% |
| 2017 | $7.00 | -8.28% |
| 2018 | $6.03 | -13.87% |
| 2019 | $6.08 | 0.81% |
| 2020 | $5.98 | -1.64% |
| 2021 | $5.68 | -5.01% |
| 2022 | $5.70 | 0.42% |
| 2023 | $5.70 | -0.02% |
| 2024 | $5.54 | -2.80% |
| 2025 | $5.97 | 7.74% |
| 2026 | $6.18 | 3.53%* |
* Not final. See inflation summary for latest details.
** Extended periods of 0% inflation usually indicate incomplete underlying data. This can manifest as a sharp increase in inflation later on.
Raw Consumer Price Index data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for Audio equipment:
| 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 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
| CPI | 89.700 | 92.375 | 95.558 | 97.683 | 100.850 | 101.992 | 100.300 | 97.708 | 94.408 | 91.733 | 93.042 | 92.650 | 92.800 | 93.150 | 94.617 | 94.367 | 93.875 | 93.783 | 92.050 | 90.725 | 88.942 | 85.175 | 81.708 | 80.158 | 77.175 | 73.358 | 69.500 | 65.967 | 60.558 | 57.342 | 54.130 | 51.568 | 48.919 | 47.342 | 45.140 | 42.021 | 39.927 | 38.014 | 36.003 | 34.226 | 31.393 | 27.038 | 27.256 | 26.809 | 25.468 | 25.576 | 25.571 | 24.854 | 26.778 | 27.722 |