According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for postage and delivery services were 108.46% higher in 2021 versus 1998 (a $21.69 difference in value).
Between 1998 and 2021: Postage and delivery services experienced an average inflation rate of 3.25% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, postage and delivery services costing $20 in the year 1998 would cost $41.69 in 2021 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.16% during this same period, inflation for postage and delivery services was higher.
In the year 1998: Pricing changed by 0.08%, which is significantly below the average yearly change for postage and delivery services during the 1998-2021 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1998 (1.55%), inflation for postage and delivery services was lower.
Raw Consumer Price Index data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for Postage and delivery services:
| 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 |
| CPI | 100.000 | 100.085 | 103.085 | 103.192 | 107.315 | 113.669 | 119.369 | 119.823 | 120.169 | 126.592 | 130.103 | 135.492 | 141.154 | 145.909 | 152.161 | 157.702 | 167.261 | 174.154 | 174.602 | 175.610 | 180.295 | 184.936 | 194.763 | 202.691 | 208.639 |
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Postage and delivery services, 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 | 0.08% |
| 1999 | $20.60 | 3.00% |
| 2000 | $20.62 | 0.10% |
| 2001 | $21.44 | 4.00% |
| 2002 | $22.71 | 5.92% |
| 2003 | $23.85 | 5.01% |
| 2004 | $23.94 | 0.38% |
| 2005 | $24.01 | 0.29% |
| 2006 | $25.30 | 5.35% |
| 2007 | $26.00 | 2.77% |
| 2008 | $27.08 | 4.14% |
| 2009 | $28.21 | 4.18% |
| 2010 | $29.16 | 3.37% |
| 2011 | $30.41 | 4.28% |
| 2012 | $31.51 | 3.64% |
| 2013 | $33.42 | 6.06% |
| 2014 | $34.80 | 4.12% |
| 2015 | $34.89 | 0.26% |
| 2016 | $35.09 | 0.58% |
| 2017 | $36.03 | 2.67% |
| 2018 | $36.96 | 2.57% |
| 2019 | $38.92 | 5.31% |
| 2020 | $40.50 | 4.07% |
| 2021 | $41.69 | 2.93%* |