According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for information technology, hardware and services are 54.62% lower in 2026 versus 2004 (a $10.92 difference in value).
Between 2004 and 2026:Information technology, hardware and services experienced an average inflation rate of -3.53% per year. This rate of change indicates significant deflation. In other words, information technology, hardware and services costing $20 in the year 2004 would cost $9.08 in 2026 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.55% during this same period, inflation for information technology, hardware and services was significantly lower.
In the year 2004: Pricing changed by -8.27%, which is significantly below the average yearly change for information technology, hardware and services during the 2004-2026 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 2004 (2.68%), inflation for information technology, hardware and services was much lower.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Information technology, hardware and services, over time, for $20 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 | $20.00 | -8.27% |
| 2005 | $18.39 | -8.07% |
| 2006 | $16.80 | -8.64% |
| 2007 | $14.31 | -14.81% |
| 2008 | $13.59 | -5.05% |
| 2009 | $13.06 | -3.87% |
| 2010 | $12.71 | -2.68% |
| 2011 | $12.19 | -4.07% |
| 2012 | $11.80 | -3.23% |
| 2013 | $11.50 | -2.55% |
| 2014 | $11.28 | -1.93% |
| 2015 | $10.88 | -3.57% |
| 2016 | $10.54 | -3.07% |
| 2017 | $10.29 | -2.40% |
| 2018 | $10.08 | -1.98% |
| 2019 | $9.97 | -1.09% |
| 2020 | $9.89 | -0.87% |
| 2021 | $9.95 | 0.60% |
| 2022 | $9.78 | -1.72% |
| 2023 | $9.58 | -2.03% |
| 2024 | $9.42 | -1.64% |
| 2025 | $9.16 | -2.77% |
| 2026 | $9.08 | -0.90%* |
* 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 Information technology, hardware and services:
| Year | 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 | 1487.800 | 1432.575 | 1391.083 | 1318.783 | 1245.142 | 1172.683 | 1070.842 | 949.567 | 851.792 | 745.083 | 593.308 | 454.358 | 385.158 | 317.467 | 272.117 | 240.217 | 220.350 | 202.567 | 185.067 | 157.663 | 149.694 | 143.907 | 140.052 | 134.351 | 130.014 | 126.703 | 124.256 | 119.819 | 116.136 | 113.349 | 111.102 | 109.892 | 108.938 | 109.588 | 107.703 | 105.519 | 103.793 | 100.913 | 100.002 |