According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for audio equipment are 73.10% lower in 2025 versus 1996 (a $14.62 difference in value).
Between 1996 and 2025: Audio equipment experienced an average inflation rate of -4.43% per year. This rate of change indicates significant deflation. In other words, audio equipment costing $20 in the year 1996 would cost $5.38 in 2025 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.48% during this same period, inflation for audio equipment was significantly lower.
In the year 1996: Pricing changed by -1.45%, which is above the average yearly change for audio equipment during the 1996-2025 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1996 (2.93%), inflation for audio equipment was much lower.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Audio equipment, over time, for $20 beginning in 1996. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | $20.00 | -1.45% |
| 1997 | $19.61 | -1.97% |
| 1998 | $18.78 | -4.23% |
| 1999 | $18.01 | -4.07% |
| 2000 | $17.67 | -1.89% |
| 2001 | $17.01 | -3.72% |
| 2002 | $16.17 | -4.94% |
| 2003 | $15.32 | -5.26% |
| 2004 | $14.54 | -5.08% |
| 2005 | $13.35 | -8.20% |
| 2006 | $12.64 | -5.32% |
| 2007 | $11.93 | -5.60% |
| 2008 | $11.37 | -4.73% |
| 2009 | $10.78 | -5.14% |
| 2010 | $10.44 | -3.22% |
| 2011 | $9.95 | -4.65% |
| 2012 | $9.26 | -6.91% |
| 2013 | $8.80 | -4.98% |
| 2014 | $8.38 | -4.79% |
| 2015 | $7.94 | -5.29% |
| 2016 | $7.55 | -4.94% |
| 2017 | $6.92 | -8.28% |
| 2018 | $5.96 | -13.87% |
| 2019 | $6.01 | 0.81% |
| 2020 | $5.91 | -1.64% |
| 2021 | $5.61 | -5.01% |
| 2022 | $5.64 | 0.42% |
| 2023 | $5.64 | -0.02% |
| 2024 | $5.48 | -2.80% |
| 2025 | $5.38 | -1.79%* |
* 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 |
| CPI | 89.700 | 92.377 | 95.554 | 97.685 | 100.846 | 101.992 | 100.300 | 97.708 | 94.408 | 91.738 | 93.038 | 92.654 | 92.800 | 93.154 | 94.615 | 94.369 | 93.877 | 93.785 | 92.054 | 90.723 | 88.938 | 85.177 | 81.708 | 80.162 | 77.177 | 73.362 | 69.500 | 65.969 | 60.562 | 57.338 | 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 | 26.810 | 25.468 | 25.576 | 25.571 | 24.854 | 24.408 |