According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for postage and delivery services were 101.38% higher in 2020 versus 1998 (a $20.28 difference in value).
Between 1998 and 2020: Postage and delivery services experienced an average inflation rate of 3.23% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, postage and delivery services costing $20 in the year 1998 would cost $40.28 in 2020 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.11% during this same period, inflation for postage and delivery services was higher.
Raw Consumer Price Index data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for Postage and delivery services:
| Year | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 |
| CPI | 100.067 | 103.092 | 103.233 | 107.333 | 113.650 | 119.342 | 119.858 | 120.158 | 126.592 | 130.100 | 135.511 | 141.243 | 145.989 | 152.163 | 157.700 | 167.230 | 174.118 | 174.610 | 175.623 | 180.327 | 184.973 | 194.792 | 201.515 |
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 | - |
| 1999 | $20.60 | 3.02% |
| 2000 | $20.63 | 0.14% |
| 2001 | $21.45 | 3.97% |
| 2002 | $22.71 | 5.89% |
| 2003 | $23.85 | 5.01% |
| 2004 | $23.96 | 0.43% |
| 2005 | $24.02 | 0.25% |
| 2006 | $25.30 | 5.35% |
| 2007 | $26.00 | 2.77% |
| 2008 | $27.08 | 4.16% |
| 2009 | $28.23 | 4.23% |
| 2010 | $29.18 | 3.36% |
| 2011 | $30.41 | 4.23% |
| 2012 | $31.52 | 3.64% |
| 2013 | $33.42 | 6.04% |
| 2014 | $34.80 | 4.12% |
| 2015 | $34.90 | 0.28% |
| 2016 | $35.10 | 0.58% |
| 2017 | $36.04 | 2.68% |
| 2018 | $36.97 | 2.58% |
| 2019 | $38.93 | 5.31% |
| 2020 | $40.28 | 3.45%* |