According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for photo processing are 13.15% higher in 2020 versus 1998 (a $2.63 difference in value).
Between 1998 and 2020: Photo processing experienced an average inflation rate of 0.56% per year. In other words, photo processing costing $20 in the year 1998 would cost $22.63 in 2020 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.12% during this same period, inflation for photo processing was lower.
In the year 1998: Pricing changed by 0.01%, which is below the average yearly change for photo processing during the 1998-2020 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1998 (1.55%), inflation for photo processing was lower.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Photo processing, 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 | 0.01% |
| 1999 | $19.97 | -0.15% |
| 2000 | $20.12 | 0.75% |
| 2001 | $19.99 | -0.63% |
| 2002 | $20.08 | 0.43% |
| 2003 | $20.13 | 0.27% |
| 2004 | $20.06 | -0.37% |
| 2005 | $19.90 | -0.78% |
| 2006 | $19.85 | -0.24% |
| 2007 | $19.77 | -0.39% |
| 2008 | $20.08 | 1.57% |
| 2009 | $21.11 | 5.11% |
| 2010 | $21.48 | 1.73% |
| 2011 | $22.26 | 3.65% |
| 2012 | $22.67 | 1.84% |
| 2013 | $22.88 | 0.93% |
| 2014 | $23.56 | 2.96% |
| 2015 | $24.15 | 2.52% |
| 2016 | $24.66 | 2.10% |
| 2017 | $24.22 | -1.78% |
| 2018 | $22.46 | -7.28% |
| 2019 | $22.62 | 0.74% |
| 2020 | $22.63 | 0.04%* |
* 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 Photo processing:
| 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 |
| CPI | 100.000 | 100.008 | 99.854 | 100.600 | 99.962 | 100.392 | 100.662 | 100.292 | 99.508 | 99.269 | 98.882 | 100.430 | 105.562 | 107.391 | 111.308 | 113.352 | 114.409 | 117.798 | 120.771 | 123.303 | 121.105 | 112.290 | 113.120 | 113.162 |