According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for wireless telephone services are 22.02% lower in 2026 versus 2013 (a $11.01 difference in value).
Between 2013 and 2026, Cell service experienced an average inflation rate of -1.89% per year. In other words, cell service costing $50 in the year 2013 would cost $38.99 in 2026 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.77% during this same period, inflation for cell service was significantly lower.
In the year 2013: Pricing changed by -1.78%, which is above the average yearly change for cell service during the 2013-2026 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 2013 (1.46%), inflation for cell service was much lower.
Cell service prices are up 3.2% over the past year, but your own inflation rate depends on everything you buy. The personal inflation calculator works it out from your budget.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Cell service, over time, for $50 beginning in 2013. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $50.00 | -1.78% |
| 2014 | $48.94 | -2.11% |
| 2015 | $47.10 | -3.77% |
| 2016 | $46.64 | -0.97% |
| 2017 | $41.66 | -10.68% |
| 2018 | $40.60 | -2.55% |
| 2019 | $39.57 | -2.53% |
| 2020 | $40.37 | 2.02% |
| 2021 | $41.08 | 1.75% |
| 2022 | $40.89 | -0.45% |
| 2023 | $40.76 | -0.32% |
| 2024 | $40.16 | -1.49% |
| 2025 | $39.67 | -1.20% |
| 2026 | $38.99 | -1.72%* |
* 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 Wireless telephone services:
| 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 | 95.125 | 84.942 | 75.983 | 68.133 | 67.375 | 66.825 | 66.217 | 64.975 | 64.550 | 64.383 | 64.240 | 64.257 | 62.395 | 60.147 | 59.678 | 58.617 | 57.378 | 55.216 | 54.679 | 48.840 | 47.596 | 46.393 | 47.329 | 48.156 | 47.937 | 47.785 | 47.075 | 46.510 | 45.712 |