According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for photographic equipment and supplies are 44.28% lower in 2026 versus 1998 (a $8.86 difference in value).
Between 1998 and 2026:Photographic equipment and supplies experienced an average inflation rate of -2.07% per year. This rate of change indicates significant deflation. In other words, photographic equipment and supplies costing $20 in the year 1998 would cost $11.14 in 2026 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.49% during this same period, inflation for photographic equipment and supplies was significantly lower.
In the year 1998: Pricing changed by -0.75%, which is above the average yearly change for photographic equipment and supplies during the 1998-2026 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1998 (1.55%), inflation for photographic equipment and supplies was lower.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Photographic equipment and supplies, 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 | -0.75% |
| 1999 | $19.58 | -2.08% |
| 2000 | $19.00 | -2.98% |
| 2001 | $18.61 | -2.04% |
| 2002 | $17.83 | -4.20% |
| 2003 | $16.92 | -5.08% |
| 2004 | $15.67 | -7.38% |
| 2005 | $14.81 | -5.54% |
| 2006 | $13.69 | -7.52% |
| 2007 | $12.27 | -10.42% |
| 2008 | $11.51 | -6.20% |
| 2009 | $11.11 | -3.47% |
| 2010 | $10.51 | -5.40% |
| 2011 | $10.05 | -4.33% |
| 2012 | $9.67 | -3.82% |
| 2013 | $9.09 | -6.00% |
| 2014 | $8.88 | -2.29% |
| 2015 | $8.28 | -6.75% |
| 2016 | $8.09 | -2.26% |
| 2017 | $8.38 | 3.49% |
| 2018 | $8.07 | -3.63% |
| 2019 | $8.09 | 0.20% |
| 2020 | $8.49 | 5.03% |
| 2021 | $8.77 | 3.28% |
| 2022 | $9.14 | 4.18% |
| 2023 | $9.55 | 4.45% |
| 2024 | $10.34 | 8.36% |
| 2025 | $10.69 | 3.37% |
| 2026 | $11.14 | 4.24%* |
* 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 | 2025 | 2026 |
| CPI | 76.100 | 78.558 | 82.025 | 91.425 | 95.175 | 98.325 | 99.950 | 101.742 | 103.517 | 107.733 | 114.958 | 120.283 | 125.708 | 128.650 | 130.958 | 133.125 | 134.500 | 132.325 | 133.425 | 133.683 | 134.025 | 133.025 | 130.258 | 126.375 | 123.792 | 118.592 | 112.567 | 104.258 | 98.483 | 91.075 | 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 | 68.800 | 71.116 | 74.128 |