According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for internet services and electronic information providers are 15.20% lower in 2026 versus 1998 (a $7.60 difference in value).
Between 1998 and 2026:Internet services experienced an average inflation rate of -0.59% per year. In other words, internet services costing $50 in the year 1998 would cost $42.40 in 2026 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.49% during this same period, inflation for internet services was significantly lower.
In the year 1998: Pricing changed by 2.46%, which is significantly above the average yearly change for internet services during the 1998-2026 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1998 (1.55%), inflation for internet services was higher.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Internet services, over time, for $50 beginning in 1998. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | $50.00 | 2.46% |
| 1999 | $45.01 | -9.97% |
| 2000 | $47.04 | 4.49% |
| 2001 | $47.85 | 1.74% |
| 2002 | $48.26 | 0.86% |
| 2003 | $48.71 | 0.92% |
| 2004 | $47.51 | -2.45% |
| 2005 | $46.71 | -1.69% |
| 2006 | $44.98 | -3.70% |
| 2007 | $35.74 | -20.53% |
| 2008 | $36.07 | 0.91% |
| 2009 | $37.35 | 3.55% |
| 2010 | $37.59 | 0.64% |
| 2011 | $37.24 | -0.94% |
| 2012 | $37.33 | 0.24% |
| 2013 | $37.67 | 0.92% |
| 2014 | $38.10 | 1.14% |
| 2015 | $37.83 | -0.70% |
| 2016 | $37.78 | -0.15% |
| 2017 | $37.35 | -1.13% |
| 2018 | $37.07 | -0.76% |
| 2019 | $37.62 | 1.50% |
| 2020 | $38.16 | 1.43% |
| 2021 | $38.72 | 1.47% |
| 2022 | $39.35 | 1.64% |
| 2023 | $40.83 | 3.76% |
| 2024 | $42.03 | 2.95% |
| 2025 | $41.81 | -0.53% |
| 2026 | $42.40 | 1.41%* |
* 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 Internet services and electronic information providers:
| Year | 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 | 100.000 | 102.458 | 92.242 | 96.383 | 98.058 | 98.900 | 99.808 | 97.358 | 95.708 | 92.167 | 73.247 | 73.912 | 76.535 | 77.027 | 76.302 | 76.487 | 77.190 | 78.069 | 77.524 | 77.411 | 76.534 | 75.954 | 77.090 | 78.194 | 79.340 | 80.642 | 83.670 | 86.136 | 85.677 | 86.888 |