According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for communication were 22.99% lower in 2020 versus 1993 (a $4.60 difference in value).
Between 1993 and 2020: Communication experienced an average inflation rate of -0.96% per year. In other words, communication costing $20 in the year 1993 would cost $15.40 in 2020 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.18% during this same period, inflation for communication was significantly lower.
Raw Consumer Price Index data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for Communication:
| Year | 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 |
| CPI | 96.733 | 97.567 | 98.833 | 99.600 | 100.333 | 100.333 | 100.333 | 100.333 | 100.333 | 100.333 | 100.333 | 100.333 | 100.333 | 100.333 | 100.333 | 100.333 | 100.333 | 100.333 | 100.333 | 100.333 | 100.333 | 100.333 | 100.333 | 100.333 | 100.333 | 73.862 | 73.183 | 74.491 |
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Communication, over time, for $20 beginning in 1993. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 | $20.00 | - |
| 1994 | $20.17 | 0.86% |
| 1995 | $20.43 | 1.30% |
| 1996 | $20.59 | 0.78% |
| 1997 | $20.74 | 0.74% |
| 1998 | $20.74 | 0.00% |
| 1999 | $20.74 | 0.00% |
| 2000 | $20.74 | 0.00% |
| 2001 | $20.74 | 0.00% |
| 2002 | $20.74 | 0.00% |
| 2003 | $20.74 | 0.00% |
| 2004 | $20.74 | 0.00% |
| 2005 | $20.74 | 0.00% |
| 2006 | $20.74 | 0.00% |
| 2007 | $20.74 | 0.00% |
| 2008 | $20.74 | 0.00% |
| 2009 | $20.74 | 0.00% |
| 2010 | $20.74 | 0.00% |
| 2011 | $20.74 | 0.00% |
| 2012 | $20.74 | 0.00% |
| 2013 | $20.74 | 0.00% |
| 2014 | $20.74 | 0.00% |
| 2015 | $20.74 | 0.00% |
| 2016 | $20.74 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | $20.74 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | $15.27 | -26.38% |
| 2019 | $15.13 | -0.92% |
| 2020 | $15.40 | 1.79%* |