According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for educational books and supplies are 489.79% higher in 2024 versus 1985 (a $489.79 difference in value).
Between 1985 and 2024: Educational supplies experienced an average inflation rate of 4.66% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, educational supplies costing $100 in the year 1985 would cost $589.79 in 2024 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.78% during this same period, inflation for educational supplies was higher.
In the year 1985: Pricing changed by 8.70%, which is significantly above the average yearly change for educational supplies during the 1985-2024 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1985 (3.55%), inflation for educational supplies was much higher.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Educational supplies, over time, for $100 beginning in 1985. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | $100.00 | 8.70% |
| 1986 | $108.39 | 8.39% |
| 1987 | $116.86 | 7.81% |
| 1988 | $125.29 | 7.22% |
| 1989 | $133.69 | 6.71% |
| 1990 | $144.92 | 8.40% |
| 1991 | $152.53 | 5.25% |
| 1992 | $161.03 | 5.58% |
| 1993 | $167.15 | 3.80% |
| 1994 | $173.87 | 4.02% |
| 1995 | $181.39 | 4.32% |
| 1996 | $191.98 | 5.84% |
| 1997 | $201.70 | 5.06% |
| 1998 | $212.14 | 5.18% |
| 1999 | $221.41 | 4.37% |
| 2000 | $236.79 | 6.95% |
| 2001 | $250.34 | 5.72% |
| 2002 | $268.66 | 7.32% |
| 2003 | $283.76 | 5.62% |
| 2004 | $296.97 | 4.66% |
| 2005 | $309.34 | 4.16% |
| 2006 | $329.01 | 6.36% |
| 2007 | $355.68 | 8.11% |
| 2008 | $380.87 | 7.08% |
| 2009 | $407.84 | 7.08% |
| 2010 | $427.72 | 4.87% |
| 2011 | $448.01 | 4.74% |
| 2012 | $475.93 | 6.23% |
| 2013 | $503.14 | 5.72% |
| 2014 | $520.68 | 3.49% |
| 2015 | $548.36 | 5.32% |
| 2016 | $574.27 | 4.72% |
| 2017 | $583.29 | 1.57% |
| 2018 | $588.92 | 0.96% |
| 2019 | $579.83 | -1.54% |
| 2020 | $573.36 | -1.12% |
| 2021 | $581.28 | 1.38% |
| 2022 | $602.81 | 3.70% |
| 2023 | $593.27 | -1.58% |
| 2024 | $589.79 | -0.59%* |
* 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 |
| CPI | 33.685 | 35.446 | 37.400 | 38.785 | 41.431 | 44.154 | 45.569 | 47.223 | 50.277 | 53.654 | 56.900 | 61.623 | 65.692 | 71.392 | 80.269 | 90.946 | 100.323 | 108.738 | 118.200 | 128.115 | 138.123 | 148.092 | 158.023 | 171.292 | 180.285 | 190.338 | 197.577 | 205.515 | 214.400 | 226.923 | 238.408 | 250.754 | 261.708 | 279.885 | 295.908 | 317.554 | 335.400 | 351.023 | 365.638 | 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 | 697.130 |