According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for dishes and flatware were 52.75% lower in 2021 versus 1997 (a $10.55 difference in value).
Between 1997 and 2021: Dishes and flatware experienced an average inflation rate of -3.08% per year. This rate of change indicates significant deflation. In other words, dishes and flatware costing $20 in the year 1997 would cost $9.45 in 2021 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.10% during this same period, inflation for dishes and flatware was significantly lower.
Raw Consumer Price Index data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for Dishes and flatware:
| Year | 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 |
| CPI | 100.000 | 102.131 | 100.008 | 97.085 | 93.215 | 88.900 | 85.608 | 85.115 | 83.654 | 77.962 | 73.655 | 73.301 | 72.516 | 69.008 | 65.213 | 59.794 | 58.552 | 56.159 | 55.672 | 53.826 | 52.798 | 48.611 | 48.034 | 47.555 | 47.253 |
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Dishes and flatware, over time, for $20 beginning in 1997. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | $20.00 | - |
| 1998 | $20.43 | 2.13% |
| 1999 | $20.00 | -2.08% |
| 2000 | $19.42 | -2.92% |
| 2001 | $18.64 | -3.99% |
| 2002 | $17.78 | -4.63% |
| 2003 | $17.12 | -3.70% |
| 2004 | $17.02 | -0.58% |
| 2005 | $16.73 | -1.72% |
| 2006 | $15.59 | -6.80% |
| 2007 | $14.73 | -5.52% |
| 2008 | $14.66 | -0.48% |
| 2009 | $14.50 | -1.07% |
| 2010 | $13.80 | -4.84% |
| 2011 | $13.04 | -5.50% |
| 2012 | $11.96 | -8.31% |
| 2013 | $11.71 | -2.08% |
| 2014 | $11.23 | -4.09% |
| 2015 | $11.13 | -0.87% |
| 2016 | $10.77 | -3.32% |
| 2017 | $10.56 | -1.91% |
| 2018 | $9.72 | -7.93% |
| 2019 | $9.61 | -1.19% |
| 2020 | $9.51 | -1.00% |
| 2021 | $9.45 | -0.64%* |