According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for recorded music and music subscriptions are 14.96% lower in 2024 versus 1998 (a $2.99 difference in value).
Between 1998 and 2024: Recorded music and music subscriptions experienced an average inflation rate of -0.62% per year. In other words, recorded music and music subscriptions costing $20 in the year 1998 would cost $17.01 in 2024 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.54% during this same period, inflation for recorded music and music subscriptions was significantly lower.
In the year 1998: Pricing changed by -0.24%, which is above the average yearly change for recorded music and music subscriptions during the 1998-2024 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1998 (1.55%), inflation for recorded music and music subscriptions was lower.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Recorded music and music subscriptions, 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 | -0.24% |
| 1999 | $20.30 | 1.50% |
| 2000 | $20.47 | 0.87% |
| 2001 | $21.37 | 4.38% |
| 2002 | $21.18 | -0.89% |
| 2003 | $21.71 | 2.50% |
| 2004 | $21.78 | 0.33% |
| 2005 | $22.00 | 0.98% |
| 2006 | $21.57 | -1.93% |
| 2007 | $21.15 | -1.97% |
| 2008 | $20.75 | -1.87% |
| 2009 | $19.82 | -4.46% |
| 2010 | $18.87 | -4.81% |
| 2011 | $18.39 | -2.55% |
| 2012 | $17.81 | -3.17% |
| 2013 | $17.89 | 0.46% |
| 2014 | $17.91 | 0.10% |
| 2015 | $17.53 | -2.11% |
| 2016 | $17.16 | -2.11% |
| 2017 | $17.69 | 3.08% |
| 2018 | $17.18 | -2.85% |
| 2019 | $16.49 | -4.05% |
| 2020 | $16.00 | -2.97% |
| 2021 | $15.92 | -0.46% |
| 2022 | $15.94 | 0.11% |
| 2023 | $16.53 | 3.72% |
| 2024 | $17.01 | 2.86%* |
* 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 Recorded music and music subscriptions:
| 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 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
| CPI | 100.000 | 99.762 | 101.254 | 102.131 | 106.600 | 105.654 | 108.300 | 108.662 | 109.723 | 107.600 | 105.475 | 103.502 | 98.885 | 94.128 | 91.728 | 88.818 | 89.225 | 89.316 | 87.427 | 85.586 | 88.224 | 85.706 | 82.233 | 79.793 | 79.429 | 79.518 | 82.476 | 84.838 |