According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for sporting goods are 29.92% higher in 2026 versus 1981 (a $5.98 difference in value).
Between 1981 and 2026:Sporting goods experienced an average inflation rate of 0.58% per year. In other words, sporting goods costing $20 in the year 1981 would cost $25.98 in 2026 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.86% during this same period, inflation for sporting goods was lower.
In the year 1981: Pricing changed by 6.57%, which is significantly above the average yearly change for sporting goods during the 1981-2026 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1981 (10.33%), inflation for sporting goods was much lower.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Sporting goods, over time, for $20 beginning in 1981. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 | $20.00 | 6.57% |
| 1982 | $20.82 | 4.12% |
| 1983 | $21.07 | 1.16% |
| 1984 | $21.70 | 3.04% |
| 1985 | $22.16 | 2.11% |
| 1986 | $22.04 | -0.57% |
| 1987 | $22.11 | 0.34% |
| 1988 | $22.91 | 3.63% |
| 1989 | $23.55 | 2.76% |
| 1990 | $24.36 | 3.44% |
| 1991 | $25.12 | 3.15% |
| 1992 | $25.48 | 1.41% |
| 1993 | $25.47 | -0.04% |
| 1994 | $25.91 | 1.73% |
| 1995 | $26.19 | 1.09% |
| 1996 | $26.16 | -0.09% |
| 1997 | $25.98 | -0.70% |
| 1998 | $25.83 | -0.57% |
| 1999 | $25.51 | -1.26% |
| 2000 | $25.22 | -1.13% |
| 2001 | $25.12 | -0.40% |
| 2002 | $24.68 | -1.73% |
| 2003 | $24.44 | -1.00% |
| 2004 | $24.38 | -0.23% |
| 2005 | $24.47 | 0.38% |
| 2006 | $24.83 | 1.45% |
| 2007 | $24.68 | -0.60% |
| 2008 | $25.10 | 1.70% |
| 2009 | $25.41 | 1.22% |
| 2010 | $25.18 | -0.89% |
| 2011 | $25.11 | -0.27% |
| 2012 | $25.17 | 0.23% |
| 2013 | $25.03 | -0.55% |
| 2014 | $24.69 | -1.37% |
| 2015 | $24.29 | -1.62% |
| 2016 | $23.97 | -1.29% |
| 2017 | $23.52 | -1.88% |
| 2018 | $23.53 | 0.03% |
| 2019 | $23.80 | 1.16% |
| 2020 | $24.09 | 1.21% |
| 2021 | $25.70 | 6.67% |
| 2022 | $27.04 | 5.19% |
| 2023 | $26.91 | -0.46% |
| 2024 | $26.43 | -1.77% |
| 2025 | $25.79 | -2.45% |
| 2026 | $25.98 | 0.77%* |
* 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 Sporting goods:
| 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 | 74.200 | 76.125 | 81.050 | 88.533 | 94.350 | 98.233 | 99.375 | 102.392 | 104.550 | 103.958 | 104.317 | 108.100 | 111.083 | 114.900 | 118.517 | 120.183 | 120.133 | 122.208 | 123.542 | 123.425 | 122.558 | 121.858 | 120.325 | 118.967 | 118.492 | 116.442 | 115.275 | 115.008 | 115.450 | 117.125 | 116.426 | 118.409 | 119.856 | 118.785 | 118.463 | 118.737 | 118.081 | 116.462 | 114.573 | 113.093 | 110.967 | 111.005 | 112.293 | 113.656 | 121.242 | 127.540 | 126.949 | 124.703 | 121.645 | 122.579 |