According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for major appliances are 12.71% lower in 2025 versus 1998 (a $2.54 difference in value).
Between 1998 and 2025: Major appliances experienced an average inflation rate of -0.50% per year. In other words, major appliances costing $20 in the year 1998 would cost $17.46 in 2025 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.52% during this same period, inflation for major appliances was significantly lower.
In the year 1998: Pricing changed by -0.41%, which is above the average yearly change for major appliances during the 1998-2025 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1998 (1.55%), inflation for major appliances was lower.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Major appliances, 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 | -0.41% |
| 1999 | $19.68 | -1.62% |
| 2000 | $19.52 | -0.79% |
| 2001 | $19.46 | -0.30% |
| 2002 | $19.34 | -0.61% |
| 2003 | $18.79 | -2.87% |
| 2004 | $18.17 | -3.31% |
| 2005 | $18.78 | 3.39% |
| 2006 | $19.33 | 2.94% |
| 2007 | $20.07 | 3.79% |
| 2008 | $20.36 | 1.46% |
| 2009 | $20.47 | 0.52% |
| 2010 | $19.59 | -4.29% |
| 2011 | $19.31 | -1.42% |
| 2012 | $20.37 | 5.50% |
| 2013 | $19.91 | -2.26% |
| 2014 | $18.69 | -6.13% |
| 2015 | $17.67 | -5.47% |
| 2016 | $16.71 | -5.44% |
| 2017 | $15.92 | -4.69% |
| 2018 | $16.59 | 4.20% |
| 2019 | $16.93 | 2.04% |
| 2020 | $17.72 | 4.64% |
| 2021 | $19.62 | 10.77% |
| 2022 | $20.71 | 5.54% |
| 2023 | $18.90 | -8.77% |
| 2024 | $18.08 | -4.30% |
| 2025 | $17.46 | -3.45%* |
* 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 Major appliances:
| 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 |
| CPI | 100.000 | 99.592 | 97.977 | 97.208 | 96.915 | 96.323 | 93.562 | 90.462 | 93.531 | 96.277 | 99.928 | 101.385 | 101.909 | 97.541 | 96.154 | 101.447 | 99.151 | 93.075 | 87.984 | 83.195 | 79.291 | 82.621 | 84.310 | 88.223 | 97.721 | 103.137 | 94.091 | 90.041 | 86.933 |