According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for recreational books are 3.40% lower in 2026 versus 2002 (a $0.68 difference in value).
Between 2002 and 2026:Recreational books experienced an average inflation rate of -0.14% per year. In other words, recreational books costing $20 in the year 2002 would cost $19.32 in 2026 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.48% during this same period, inflation for recreational books was lower.
In the year 2002: Pricing changed by 2.99%, which is significantly above the average yearly change for recreational books during the 2002-2026 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 2002 (1.59%), inflation for recreational books was higher.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Recreational books, over time, for $20 beginning in 2002. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | $20.00 | 2.99% |
| 2003 | $19.84 | -0.79% |
| 2004 | $19.88 | 0.20% |
| 2005 | $19.80 | -0.40% |
| 2006 | $19.68 | -0.63% |
| 2007 | $19.84 | 0.83% |
| 2008 | $20.18 | 1.70% |
| 2009 | $20.37 | 0.94% |
| 2010 | $20.16 | -1.03% |
| 2011 | $19.68 | -2.35% |
| 2012 | $19.30 | -1.94% |
| 2013 | $19.25 | -0.27% |
| 2014 | $19.07 | -0.94% |
| 2015 | $19.16 | 0.50% |
| 2016 | $18.83 | -1.73% |
| 2017 | $18.26 | -3.02% |
| 2018 | $18.31 | 0.26% |
| 2019 | $18.19 | -0.65% |
| 2020 | $18.70 | 2.77% |
| 2021 | $18.74 | 0.26% |
| 2022 | $18.87 | 0.69% |
| 2023 | $18.82 | -0.27% |
| 2024 | $18.77 | -0.30% |
| 2025 | $18.92 | 0.80% |
| 2026 | $19.32 | 2.12%* |
* 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 Recreational books:
| 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 | 2025 | 2026 |
| CPI | 100.000 | 102.417 | 100.892 | 100.742 | 101.908 | 104.958 | 104.125 | 104.333 | 103.917 | 103.258 | 104.120 | 105.886 | 106.885 | 105.781 | 103.290 | 101.287 | 101.010 | 100.063 | 100.560 | 98.825 | 95.841 | 96.094 | 95.474 | 98.116 | 98.372 | 99.049 | 98.785 | 98.486 | 99.276 | 101.385 |