According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for photo processing are 6.56% lower in 2020 versus 2017 (a $1.31 difference in value).
Between 2017 and 2020: Photo processing experienced an average inflation rate of -2.24% per year. This rate of change indicates significant deflation. In other words, photo processing costing $20 in the year 2017 would cost $18.69 in 2020 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 1.83% during this same period, inflation for photo processing was significantly lower.
In the year 2017: Pricing changed by -1.78%, which is above the average yearly change for photo processing during the 2017-2020 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 2017 (2.13%), inflation for photo processing was much lower.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Photo processing, over time, for $20 beginning in 2017. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | $20.00 | -1.78% |
| 2018 | $18.54 | -7.28% |
| 2019 | $18.68 | 0.74% |
| 2020 | $18.69 | 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 |