According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for educational books and supplies are 844.60% higher in 2026 versus 1981 (a $844.60 difference in value).
Between 1981 and 2026:Educational supplies experienced an average inflation rate of 5.12% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, educational supplies costing $100 in the year 1981 would cost $944.60 in 2026 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.86% during this same period, inflation for educational supplies was higher.
In the year 1981: Pricing changed by 12.43%, which is significantly above the average yearly change for educational supplies during the 1981-2026 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1981 (10.33%), inflation for educational supplies was higher.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Educational supplies, over time, for $100 beginning in 1981. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 | $100.00 | 12.43% |
| 1982 | $113.30 | 13.30% |
| 1983 | $124.99 | 10.32% |
| 1984 | $135.48 | 8.39% |
| 1985 | $147.26 | 8.70% |
| 1986 | $159.61 | 8.39% |
| 1987 | $172.08 | 7.81% |
| 1988 | $184.50 | 7.22% |
| 1989 | $196.88 | 6.71% |
| 1990 | $213.40 | 8.40% |
| 1991 | $224.61 | 5.25% |
| 1992 | $237.14 | 5.58% |
| 1993 | $246.15 | 3.80% |
| 1994 | $256.04 | 4.02% |
| 1995 | $267.11 | 4.32% |
| 1996 | $282.71 | 5.84% |
| 1997 | $297.02 | 5.06% |
| 1998 | $312.40 | 5.18% |
| 1999 | $326.05 | 4.37% |
| 2000 | $348.69 | 6.94% |
| 2001 | $368.66 | 5.73% |
| 2002 | $395.62 | 7.31% |
| 2003 | $417.86 | 5.62% |
| 2004 | $437.32 | 4.66% |
| 2005 | $455.53 | 4.16% |
| 2006 | $484.50 | 6.36% |
| 2007 | $523.78 | 8.11% |
| 2008 | $560.86 | 7.08% |
| 2009 | $600.59 | 7.08% |
| 2010 | $629.86 | 4.87% |
| 2011 | $659.73 | 4.74% |
| 2012 | $700.86 | 6.23% |
| 2013 | $740.92 | 5.72% |
| 2014 | $766.75 | 3.49% |
| 2015 | $807.52 | 5.32% |
| 2016 | $845.66 | 4.72% |
| 2017 | $858.95 | 1.57% |
| 2018 | $867.24 | 0.96% |
| 2019 | $853.86 | -1.54% |
| 2020 | $844.33 | -1.12% |
| 2021 | $855.99 | 1.38% |
| 2022 | $887.70 | 3.70% |
| 2023 | $873.64 | -1.58% |
| 2024 | $883.04 | 1.08% |
| 2025 | $950.93 | 7.69% |
| 2026 | $944.60 | -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 |