According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for audio equipment are 70.64% lower in 2026 versus 1985 (a $14.13 difference in value).
Between 1985 and 2026, Audio equipment experienced an average inflation rate of -2.94% per year. This rate of change indicates significant deflation. In other words, audio equipment costing $20 in the year 1985 would cost $5.87 in 2026 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.79% during this same period, inflation for audio equipment was significantly lower.
In the year 1985: Pricing changed by -3.38%, which is below the average yearly change for audio equipment during the 1985-2026 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1985 (3.55%), inflation for audio equipment was much 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 1985. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | $20.00 | -3.38% |
| 1986 | $19.43 | -2.83% |
| 1987 | $19.71 | 1.43% |
| 1988 | $19.63 | -0.42% |
| 1989 | $19.66 | 0.16% |
| 1990 | $19.73 | 0.38% |
| 1991 | $20.04 | 1.57% |
| 1992 | $19.99 | -0.26% |
| 1993 | $19.89 | -0.52% |
| 1994 | $19.87 | -0.10% |
| 1995 | $19.50 | -1.85% |
| 1996 | $19.22 | -1.44% |
| 1997 | $18.84 | -1.97% |
| 1998 | $18.04 | -4.23% |
| 1999 | $17.31 | -4.07% |
| 2000 | $16.98 | -1.90% |
| 2001 | $16.35 | -3.72% |
| 2002 | $15.54 | -4.95% |
| 2003 | $14.72 | -5.26% |
| 2004 | $13.97 | -5.08% |
| 2005 | $12.83 | -8.20% |
| 2006 | $12.15 | -5.31% |
| 2007 | $11.47 | -5.60% |
| 2008 | $10.92 | -4.73% |
| 2009 | $10.36 | -5.14% |
| 2010 | $10.03 | -3.22% |
| 2011 | $9.56 | -4.65% |
| 2012 | $8.90 | -6.91% |
| 2013 | $8.46 | -4.98% |
| 2014 | $8.05 | -4.79% |
| 2015 | $7.63 | -5.29% |
| 2016 | $7.25 | -4.94% |
| 2017 | $6.65 | -8.28% |
| 2018 | $5.73 | -13.87% |
| 2019 | $5.77 | 0.81% |
| 2020 | $5.68 | -1.64% |
| 2021 | $5.40 | -5.01% |
| 2022 | $5.42 | 0.42% |
| 2023 | $5.42 | -0.02% |
| 2024 | $5.27 | -2.80% |
| 2025 | $5.67 | 7.74% |
| 2026 | $5.87 | 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 |