According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for education and communication commodities were 10.87% lower in 2020 versus 2017 (a $2.17 difference in value).
Between 2017 and 2020: Education and communication commodities experienced an average inflation rate of -3.76% per year. This rate of change indicates significant deflation. In other words, education and communication commodities costing $20 in the year 2017 would cost $17.83 in 2020 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 1.73% during this same period, inflation for education and communication commodities was significantly lower.
In the year 2017: Pricing changed by -2.85%, which is above the average yearly change for education and communication commodities during the 2017-2020 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 2017 (2.13%), inflation for education and communication commodities was much lower.
Raw Consumer Price Index data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for Education and communication commodities:
| Year | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 |
| CPI | 99.002 | 95.562 | 92.707 | 89.864 | 86.916 | 83.400 | 79.988 | 77.709 | 75.513 | 71.839 | 69.260 |
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Education and communication commodities, over time, for $20 beginning in 2017. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | $20.00 | -2.85% |
| 2018 | $19.43 | -2.83% |
| 2019 | $18.49 | -4.86% |
| 2020 | $17.83 | -3.59%* |