According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for recreational reading materials are 192.80% higher in 2026 versus 1983 (a $38.56 difference in value).
Between 1983 and 2026:Recreational reading materials experienced an average inflation rate of 2.53% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, recreational reading materials costing $20 in the year 1983 would cost $58.56 in 2026 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.78% during this same period, inflation for recreational reading materials was lower.
In the year 1983: Pricing changed by 7.22%, which is significantly above the average yearly change for recreational reading materials during the 1983-2026 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1983 (3.21%), inflation for recreational reading materials was much higher.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Recreational reading materials, over time, for $20 beginning in 1983. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1983 | $20.00 | 7.22% |
| 1984 | $20.65 | 3.26% |
| 1985 | $21.88 | 5.94% |
| 1986 | $22.85 | 4.46% |
| 1987 | $23.62 | 3.35% |
| 1988 | $24.57 | 4.00% |
| 1989 | $25.61 | 4.23% |
| 1990 | $26.91 | 5.11% |
| 1991 | $28.61 | 6.29% |
| 1992 | $29.82 | 4.24% |
| 1993 | $30.88 | 3.54% |
| 1994 | $31.89 | 3.29% |
| 1995 | $33.23 | 4.20% |
| 1996 | $34.87 | 4.93% |
| 1997 | $35.39 | 1.47% |
| 1998 | $36.40 | 2.86% |
| 1999 | $36.79 | 1.07% |
| 2000 | $37.22 | 1.17% |
| 2001 | $37.84 | 1.68% |
| 2002 | $38.70 | 2.26% |
| 2003 | $39.04 | 0.89% |
| 2004 | $39.77 | 1.86% |
| 2005 | $40.31 | 1.36% |
| 2006 | $40.59 | 0.70% |
| 2007 | $40.98 | 0.97% |
| 2008 | $41.90 | 2.24% |
| 2009 | $43.54 | 3.91% |
| 2010 | $43.62 | 0.18% |
| 2011 | $43.41 | -0.48% |
| 2012 | $44.26 | 1.94% |
| 2013 | $45.86 | 3.61% |
| 2014 | $46.79 | 2.03% |
| 2015 | $47.58 | 1.69% |
| 2016 | $47.57 | -0.01% |
| 2017 | $47.75 | 0.37% |
| 2018 | $48.69 | 1.97% |
| 2019 | $50.52 | 3.76% |
| 2020 | $52.77 | 4.46% |
| 2021 | $54.10 | 2.52% |
| 2022 | $56.27 | 4.00% |
| 2023 | $56.46 | 0.34% |
| 2024 | $56.95 | 0.87% |
| 2025 | $58.09 | 2.00% |
| 2026 | $58.56 | 0.81%* |
* 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 reading materials:
| 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 | 63.300 | 65.133 | 70.050 | 77.683 | 85.900 | 94.358 | 101.175 | 104.475 | 110.683 | 115.617 | 119.492 | 124.275 | 129.533 | 136.150 | 144.717 | 150.858 | 156.200 | 161.333 | 168.117 | 176.408 | 179.008 | 184.125 | 186.100 | 188.283 | 191.442 | 195.767 | 197.508 | 201.175 | 203.917 | 205.342 | 207.330 | 211.981 | 220.277 | 220.671 | 219.613 | 223.884 | 231.969 | 236.675 | 240.684 | 240.665 | 241.549 | 246.308 | 255.569 | 266.970 | 273.690 | 284.650 | 285.616 | 288.096 | 293.864 | 296.239 |