According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for communication are 24.19% lower in 2024 versus 1998 (a $4.84 difference in value).
Between 1998 and 2024: Communication experienced an average inflation rate of -1.06% per year. In other words, communication costing $20 in the year 1998 would cost $15.16 in 2024 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.53% during this same period, inflation for communication was significantly lower.
In the year 1998: Pricing changed by -1.66%, which is below the average yearly change for communication during the 1998-2024 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1998 (1.55%), inflation for communication was much lower.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Communication, over time, for $20 beginning in 1998. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | $20.00 | -1.66% |
| 1999 | $19.46 | -2.71% |
| 2000 | $18.97 | -2.53% |
| 2001 | $18.92 | -0.24% |
| 2002 | $18.71 | -1.11% |
| 2003 | $18.19 | -2.80% |
| 2004 | $17.58 | -3.36% |
| 2005 | $17.18 | -2.26% |
| 2006 | $17.06 | -0.71% |
| 2007 | $16.90 | -0.91% |
| 2008 | $17.07 | 0.98% |
| 2009 | $17.22 | 0.91% |
| 2010 | $17.17 | -0.32% |
| 2011 | $16.90 | -1.58% |
| 2012 | $16.84 | -0.34% |
| 2013 | $16.75 | -0.54% |
| 2014 | $16.64 | -0.67% |
| 2015 | $16.26 | -2.26% |
| 2016 | $16.06 | -1.21% |
| 2017 | $15.21 | -5.34% |
| 2018 | $14.97 | -1.52% |
| 2019 | $14.84 | -0.92% |
| 2020 | $15.10 | 1.79% |
| 2021 | $15.38 | 1.84% |
| 2022 | $15.29 | -0.56% |
| 2023 | $15.22 | -0.46% |
| 2024 | $15.16 | -0.41%* |
* 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 |
| CPI | 96.738 | 97.562 | 98.838 | 99.592 | 100.315 | 98.654 | 95.985 | 93.554 | 93.331 | 92.292 | 89.708 | 86.692 | 84.731 | 84.131 | 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 | 74.787 |