According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for photographic equipment and supplies are 27.54% lower in 2024 versus 1981 (a $5.51 difference in value).
Between 1981 and 2024: Photographic equipment and supplies experienced an average inflation rate of -0.75% per year. In other words, photographic equipment and supplies costing $20 in the year 1981 would cost $14.49 in 2024 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.92% during this same period, inflation for photographic equipment and supplies was significantly lower.
In the year 1981: Pricing changed by 4.11%, which is significantly above the average yearly change for photographic equipment and supplies during the 1981-2024 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1981 (10.33%), inflation for photographic equipment and supplies was much lower.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Photographic equipment and supplies, over time, for $20 beginning in 1981. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 | $20.00 | 4.11% |
| 1982 | $20.66 | 3.31% |
| 1983 | $21.00 | 1.64% |
| 1984 | $21.38 | 1.80% |
| 1985 | $21.75 | 1.74% |
| 1986 | $22.64 | 4.08% |
| 1987 | $24.16 | 6.70% |
| 1988 | $25.28 | 4.64% |
| 1989 | $26.42 | 4.51% |
| 1990 | $27.03 | 2.34% |
| 1991 | $27.52 | 1.79% |
| 1992 | $27.97 | 1.65% |
| 1993 | $28.26 | 1.03% |
| 1994 | $27.81 | -1.62% |
| 1995 | $28.04 | 0.83% |
| 1996 | $28.09 | 0.20% |
| 1997 | $28.16 | 0.25% |
| 1998 | $27.95 | -0.75% |
| 1999 | $27.37 | -2.08% |
| 2000 | $26.56 | -2.98% |
| 2001 | $26.01 | -2.05% |
| 2002 | $24.92 | -4.20% |
| 2003 | $23.65 | -5.08% |
| 2004 | $21.91 | -7.38% |
| 2005 | $20.70 | -5.54% |
| 2006 | $19.14 | -7.52% |
| 2007 | $17.14 | -10.43% |
| 2008 | $16.08 | -6.20% |
| 2009 | $15.52 | -3.47% |
| 2010 | $14.68 | -5.40% |
| 2011 | $14.05 | -4.33% |
| 2012 | $13.51 | -3.82% |
| 2013 | $12.70 | -6.00% |
| 2014 | $12.41 | -2.29% |
| 2015 | $11.57 | -6.75% |
| 2016 | $11.31 | -2.26% |
| 2017 | $11.71 | 3.49% |
| 2018 | $11.28 | -3.63% |
| 2019 | $11.30 | 0.20% |
| 2020 | $11.87 | 5.03% |
| 2021 | $12.26 | 3.28% |
| 2022 | $12.77 | 4.18% |
| 2023 | $13.34 | 4.45% |
| 2024 | $14.49 | 8.62%* |
* 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 Photographic equipment and supplies:
| Year | 1977 | 1978 | 1979 | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 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 | 76.100 | 78.562 | 82.023 | 91.423 | 95.177 | 98.331 | 99.946 | 101.746 | 103.515 | 107.738 | 114.954 | 120.285 | 125.708 | 128.654 | 130.962 | 133.123 | 134.500 | 132.323 | 133.423 | 133.685 | 134.023 | 133.023 | 130.262 | 126.377 | 123.792 | 118.592 | 112.569 | 104.262 | 98.485 | 91.077 | 81.582 | 76.524 | 73.869 | 69.881 | 66.853 | 64.297 | 60.442 | 59.057 | 55.073 | 53.827 | 55.706 | 53.682 | 53.791 | 56.496 | 58.348 | 60.787 | 63.491 | 68.965 |