According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for communication are 26.01% lower in 2026 versus 1995 (a $5.20 difference in value).
Between 1995 and 2026:Communication experienced an average inflation rate of -0.97% per year. In other words, communication costing $20 in the year 1995 would cost $14.80 in 2026 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.46% during this same period, inflation for communication was significantly lower.
In the year 1995: Pricing changed by 1.32%, which is above the average yearly change for communication during the 1995-2026 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1995 (2.81%), inflation for communication was lower.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Communication, over time, for $20 beginning in 1995. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | $20.00 | 1.32% |
| 1996 | $20.15 | 0.76% |
| 1997 | $20.30 | 0.73% |
| 1998 | $19.96 | -1.66% |
| 1999 | $19.42 | -2.70% |
| 2000 | $18.93 | -2.54% |
| 2001 | $18.89 | -0.23% |
| 2002 | $18.67 | -1.12% |
| 2003 | $18.15 | -2.80% |
| 2004 | $17.54 | -3.36% |
| 2005 | $17.15 | -2.26% |
| 2006 | $17.02 | -0.71% |
| 2007 | $16.87 | -0.91% |
| 2008 | $17.03 | 0.98% |
| 2009 | $17.19 | 0.91% |
| 2010 | $17.13 | -0.32% |
| 2011 | $16.86 | -1.58% |
| 2012 | $16.81 | -0.34% |
| 2013 | $16.72 | -0.54% |
| 2014 | $16.60 | -0.67% |
| 2015 | $16.23 | -2.26% |
| 2016 | $16.03 | -1.21% |
| 2017 | $15.18 | -5.34% |
| 2018 | $14.95 | -1.52% |
| 2019 | $14.81 | -0.92% |
| 2020 | $15.07 | 1.79% |
| 2021 | $15.35 | 1.84% |
| 2022 | $15.26 | -0.56% |
| 2023 | $15.19 | -0.46% |
| 2024 | $15.03 | -1.08% |
| 2025 | $14.80 | -1.56% |
| 2026 | $14.80 | 0.01%* |
* 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 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 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
| CPI | 96.742 | 97.558 | 98.842 | 99.592 | 100.317 | 98.650 | 95.983 | 93.550 | 93.333 | 92.292 | 89.708 | 86.692 | 84.733 | 84.133 | 83.367 | 84.185 | 84.954 | 84.681 | 83.345 | 83.060 | 82.613 | 82.063 | 80.208 | 79.236 | 75.004 | 73.862 | 73.183 | 74.491 | 75.860 | 75.437 | 75.092 | 74.282 | 73.125 | 73.133 |