According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for laundry and dry cleaning services are 124.99% higher in 2024 versus 1998 (a $25 difference in value).
Between 1998 and 2024: Laundry and dry cleaning services experienced an average inflation rate of 3.17% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, laundry and dry cleaning services costing $20 in the year 1998 would cost $45 in 2024 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.54% during this same period, inflation for laundry and dry cleaning services was higher.
In the year 1998: Pricing changed by 1.44%, which is below the average yearly change for laundry and dry cleaning services during the 1998-2024 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1998 (1.55%), inflation for laundry and dry cleaning services was lower.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Laundry and dry cleaning services, over time, for $20 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 | $20.00 | 1.44% |
| 1999 | $20.49 | 2.45% |
| 2000 | $20.91 | 2.03% |
| 2001 | $21.66 | 3.61% |
| 2002 | $22.33 | 3.07% |
| 2003 | $22.83 | 2.27% |
| 2004 | $23.47 | 2.78% |
| 2005 | $24.01 | 2.30% |
| 2006 | $24.73 | 3.03% |
| 2007 | $25.52 | 3.17% |
| 2008 | $26.64 | 4.40% |
| 2009 | $27.42 | 2.91% |
| 2010 | $28.03 | 2.25% |
| 2011 | $28.45 | 1.48% |
| 2012 | $28.96 | 1.80% |
| 2013 | $29.46 | 1.75% |
| 2014 | $30.01 | 1.86% |
| 2015 | $30.71 | 2.32% |
| 2016 | $31.64 | 3.03% |
| 2017 | $32.48 | 2.65% |
| 2018 | $33.41 | 2.88% |
| 2019 | $34.66 | 3.74% |
| 2020 | $35.52 | 2.49% |
| 2021 | $37.12 | 4.50% |
| 2022 | $40.40 | 8.83% |
| 2023 | $42.89 | 6.16% |
| 2024 | $45.00 | 4.92%* |
* 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 Laundry and dry cleaning services:
| 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 |
| CPI | 100.000 | 101.438 | 103.923 | 106.031 | 109.862 | 113.231 | 115.800 | 119.023 | 121.762 | 125.454 | 129.436 | 135.133 | 139.061 | 142.184 | 144.281 | 146.874 | 149.442 | 152.218 | 155.747 | 160.462 | 164.719 | 169.455 | 175.798 | 180.180 | 188.295 | 204.914 | 217.527 | 228.231 |