According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for subscription and rental of video and video games are 77.03% higher in 2025 versus 1998 (a $15.41 difference in value).
Between 1998 and 2025: Subscription and rental of video and video games experienced an average inflation rate of 2.14% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, subscription and rental of video and video games costing $20 in the year 1998 would cost $35.41 in 2025 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.52% during this same period, inflation for subscription and rental of video and video games was lower.
In the year 1998: Pricing changed by -4.92%, which is significantly below the average yearly change for subscription and rental of video and video games during the 1998-2025 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1998 (1.55%), inflation for subscription and rental of video and video games was much lower.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Subscription and rental of video and video games, 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 | -4.92% |
| 1999 | $20.05 | 0.25% |
| 2000 | $19.75 | -1.48% |
| 2001 | $19.38 | -1.88% |
| 2002 | $19.34 | -0.18% |
| 2003 | $18.31 | -5.37% |
| 2004 | $18.11 | -1.06% |
| 2005 | $18.25 | 0.74% |
| 2006 | $18.95 | 3.85% |
| 2007 | $19.43 | 2.55% |
| 2008 | $20.50 | 5.52% |
| 2009 | $21.17 | 3.28% |
| 2010 | $21.32 | 0.67% |
| 2011 | $23.21 | 8.90% |
| 2012 | $24.93 | 7.38% |
| 2013 | $24.57 | -1.41% |
| 2014 | $24.52 | -0.21% |
| 2015 | $25.37 | 3.44% |
| 2016 | $26.02 | 2.57% |
| 2017 | $26.62 | 2.30% |
| 2018 | $27.40 | 2.93% |
| 2019 | $28.32 | 3.35% |
| 2020 | $28.71 | 1.38% |
| 2021 | $29.28 | 1.98% |
| 2022 | $30.95 | 5.70% |
| 2023 | $32.63 | 5.43% |
| 2024 | $33.28 | 2.00% |
| 2025 | $35.41 | 6.39%* |
* 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 Subscription and rental of video and video games:
| 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 |
| CPI | 100.000 | 95.077 | 95.315 | 93.900 | 92.131 | 91.962 | 87.023 | 86.100 | 86.738 | 90.077 | 92.370 | 97.465 | 100.662 | 101.332 | 110.348 | 118.491 | 116.822 | 116.574 | 120.582 | 123.679 | 126.528 | 130.240 | 134.609 | 136.471 | 139.177 | 147.110 | 155.098 | 158.195 | 168.311 |