According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for recreational reading materials are 128.70% higher in 2026 versus 1989 (a $25.74 difference in value).
Between 1989 and 2026:Recreational reading materials experienced an average inflation rate of 2.26% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, recreational reading materials costing $20 in the year 1989 would cost $45.74 in 2026 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.63% during this same period, inflation for recreational reading materials was lower.
In the year 1989: Pricing changed by 4.23%, which is above the average yearly change for recreational reading materials during the 1989-2026 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1989 (4.83%), inflation for recreational reading materials was lower.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Recreational reading materials, over time, for $20 beginning in 1989. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1989 | $20.00 | 4.23% |
| 1990 | $21.02 | 5.11% |
| 1991 | $22.34 | 6.29% |
| 1992 | $23.29 | 4.24% |
| 1993 | $24.12 | 3.54% |
| 1994 | $24.91 | 3.29% |
| 1995 | $25.96 | 4.20% |
| 1996 | $27.24 | 4.93% |
| 1997 | $27.64 | 1.47% |
| 1998 | $28.43 | 2.86% |
| 1999 | $28.73 | 1.07% |
| 2000 | $29.07 | 1.17% |
| 2001 | $29.56 | 1.68% |
| 2002 | $30.23 | 2.26% |
| 2003 | $30.50 | 0.89% |
| 2004 | $31.06 | 1.86% |
| 2005 | $31.48 | 1.36% |
| 2006 | $31.70 | 0.70% |
| 2007 | $32.01 | 0.97% |
| 2008 | $32.73 | 2.24% |
| 2009 | $34.01 | 3.91% |
| 2010 | $34.07 | 0.18% |
| 2011 | $33.91 | -0.48% |
| 2012 | $34.57 | 1.94% |
| 2013 | $35.82 | 3.61% |
| 2014 | $36.54 | 2.03% |
| 2015 | $37.16 | 1.69% |
| 2016 | $37.16 | -0.01% |
| 2017 | $37.30 | 0.37% |
| 2018 | $38.03 | 1.97% |
| 2019 | $39.46 | 3.76% |
| 2020 | $41.22 | 4.46% |
| 2021 | $42.26 | 2.52% |
| 2022 | $43.95 | 4.00% |
| 2023 | $44.10 | 0.34% |
| 2024 | $44.48 | 0.87% |
| 2025 | $45.37 | 2.00% |
| 2026 | $45.74 | 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 |