According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for education and communication are 32.57% higher in 2026 versus 2004 (a $2,280.02 difference in value).
Between 2004 and 2026: Education and communication experienced an average inflation rate of 1.29% per year. In other words, education and communication costing $7,000 in the year 2004 would cost $9,280.02 in 2026 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.48% during this same period, inflation for education and communication was lower.
In the year 2004: Pricing changed by 1.64%, which is above the average yearly change for education and communication during the 2004-2026 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 2004 (2.68%), inflation for education and communication was lower.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Education and communication, over time, for $7,000 beginning in 2004. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | $7,000.00 | 1.64% |
| 2005 | $7,131.74 | 1.88% |
| 2006 | $7,325.17 | 2.71% |
| 2007 | $7,501.45 | 2.41% |
| 2008 | $7,755.82 | 3.39% |
| 2009 | $7,991.81 | 3.04% |
| 2010 | $8,150.27 | 1.98% |
| 2011 | $8,247.33 | 1.19% |
| 2012 | $8,396.51 | 1.81% |
| 2013 | $8,524.61 | 1.53% |
| 2014 | $8,626.96 | 1.20% |
| 2015 | $8,670.29 | 0.50% |
| 2016 | $8,728.30 | 0.67% |
| 2017 | $8,563.53 | -1.89% |
| 2018 | $8,581.07 | 0.20% |
| 2019 | $8,644.01 | 0.73% |
| 2020 | $8,801.48 | 1.82% |
| 2021 | $8,946.55 | 1.65% |
| 2022 | $9,021.10 | 0.83% |
| 2023 | $9,108.43 | 0.97% |
| 2024 | $9,163.01 | 0.60% |
| 2025 | $9,211.95 | 0.53% |
| 2026 | $9,280.02 | 0.74%* |
* 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 Education and 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 | 85.467 | 88.775 | 92.192 | 95.325 | 98.442 | 100.283 | 101.175 | 102.508 | 105.242 | 107.892 | 109.783 | 111.583 | 113.683 | 116.767 | 119.577 | 123.631 | 127.393 | 129.919 | 131.466 | 133.844 | 135.886 | 137.518 | 138.208 | 139.133 | 136.507 | 136.786 | 137.790 | 140.300 | 142.612 | 143.801 | 145.193 | 146.063 | 146.843 | 147.928 |