According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for educational books and supplies are 1,854.96% higher in 2026 versus 1970 (a $1,854.96 difference in value).
Between 1970 and 2026:Educational supplies experienced an average inflation rate of 5.45% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, educational supplies costing $100 in the year 1970 would cost $1,954.96 in 2026 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 3.86% during this same period, inflation for educational supplies was higher.
In the year 1970: Pricing changed by 3.70%, which is below the average yearly change for educational supplies during the 1970-2026 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1970 (5.84%), inflation for educational supplies was lower.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Educational supplies, over time, for $100 beginning in 1970. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | $100.00 | 3.70% |
| 1971 | $106.83 | 6.83% |
| 1972 | $113.84 | 6.56% |
| 1973 | $117.49 | 3.21% |
| 1974 | $121.77 | 3.64% |
| 1975 | $129.63 | 6.46% |
| 1976 | $138.33 | 6.71% |
| 1977 | $146.71 | 6.06% |
| 1978 | $158.90 | 8.30% |
| 1979 | $169.38 | 6.60% |
| 1980 | $184.08 | 8.68% |
| 1981 | $206.96 | 12.43% |
| 1982 | $234.49 | 13.30% |
| 1983 | $258.68 | 10.32% |
| 1984 | $280.38 | 8.39% |
| 1985 | $304.77 | 8.70% |
| 1986 | $330.34 | 8.39% |
| 1987 | $356.15 | 7.81% |
| 1988 | $381.84 | 7.22% |
| 1989 | $407.46 | 6.71% |
| 1990 | $441.66 | 8.40% |
| 1991 | $464.85 | 5.25% |
| 1992 | $490.78 | 5.58% |
| 1993 | $509.43 | 3.80% |
| 1994 | $529.91 | 4.02% |
| 1995 | $552.81 | 4.32% |
| 1996 | $585.11 | 5.84% |
| 1997 | $614.72 | 5.06% |
| 1998 | $646.54 | 5.18% |
| 1999 | $674.80 | 4.37% |
| 2000 | $721.66 | 6.94% |
| 2001 | $762.98 | 5.73% |
| 2002 | $818.78 | 7.31% |
| 2003 | $864.80 | 5.62% |
| 2004 | $905.09 | 4.66% |
| 2005 | $942.78 | 4.16% |
| 2006 | $1,002.73 | 6.36% |
| 2007 | $1,084.02 | 8.11% |
| 2008 | $1,160.77 | 7.08% |
| 2009 | $1,242.99 | 7.08% |
| 2010 | $1,303.57 | 4.87% |
| 2011 | $1,365.39 | 4.74% |
| 2012 | $1,450.51 | 6.23% |
| 2013 | $1,533.42 | 5.72% |
| 2014 | $1,586.89 | 3.49% |
| 2015 | $1,671.25 | 5.32% |
| 2016 | $1,750.19 | 4.72% |
| 2017 | $1,777.70 | 1.57% |
| 2018 | $1,794.85 | 0.96% |
| 2019 | $1,767.16 | -1.54% |
| 2020 | $1,747.44 | -1.12% |
| 2021 | $1,771.57 | 1.38% |
| 2022 | $1,837.20 | 3.70% |
| 2023 | $1,808.10 | -1.58% |
| 2024 | $1,827.56 | 1.08% |
| 2025 | $1,968.05 | 7.69% |
| 2026 | $1,954.96 | -0.67%* |
* 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 Educational books and supplies:
| Year | 1967 | 1968 | 1969 | 1970 | 1971 | 1972 | 1973 | 1974 | 1975 | 1976 | 1977 | 1978 | 1979 | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 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 | 33.683 | 35.450 | 37.400 | 38.783 | 41.433 | 44.150 | 45.567 | 47.225 | 50.275 | 53.650 | 56.900 | 61.625 | 65.692 | 71.392 | 80.267 | 90.942 | 100.325 | 108.742 | 118.200 | 128.117 | 138.125 | 148.092 | 158.025 | 171.292 | 180.283 | 190.342 | 197.575 | 205.517 | 214.400 | 226.925 | 238.408 | 250.750 | 261.708 | 279.883 | 295.908 | 317.550 | 335.400 | 351.025 | 365.642 | 388.892 | 420.418 | 450.187 | 482.072 | 505.569 | 529.545 | 562.555 | 594.710 | 615.447 | 648.165 | 678.783 | 689.453 | 696.102 | 685.365 | 677.716 | 687.075 | 712.527 | 701.241 | 708.789 | 763.277 | 758.197 |