According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for computer software and accessories are 76.55% lower in 2024 versus 1997 (a $15.31 difference in value).
Between 1997 and 2024: Computer software and accessories experienced an average inflation rate of -5.23% per year. This rate of change indicates significant deflation. In other words, computer software and accessories costing $20 in the year 1997 would cost $4.69 in 2024 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.51% during this same period, inflation for computer software and accessories was significantly lower.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Computer software and accessories, over time, for $20 beginning in 1997. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | $20.00 | - |
| 1998 | $19.10 | -4.52% |
| 1999 | $17.68 | -7.41% |
| 2000 | $17.09 | -3.37% |
| 2001 | $15.82 | -7.40% |
| 2002 | $14.80 | -6.49% |
| 2003 | $13.48 | -8.88% |
| 2004 | $12.49 | -7.38% |
| 2005 | $11.79 | -5.59% |
| 2006 | $11.08 | -6.03% |
| 2007 | $10.50 | -5.19% |
| 2008 | $10.13 | -3.56% |
| 2009 | $9.99 | -1.38% |
| 2010 | $9.29 | -7.04% |
| 2011 | $8.61 | -7.26% |
| 2012 | $8.20 | -4.82% |
| 2013 | $7.71 | -5.91% |
| 2014 | $7.40 | -4.04% |
| 2015 | $7.36 | -0.60% |
| 2016 | $6.87 | -6.57% |
| 2017 | $6.60 | -3.91% |
| 2018 | $6.43 | -2.64% |
| 2019 | $5.92 | -7.99% |
| 2020 | $5.29 | -10.58% |
| 2021 | $5.19 | -1.86% |
| 2022 | $5.10 | -1.68% |
| 2023 | $4.81 | -5.83% |
| 2024 | $4.69 | -2.44%* |
* 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 Computer software and accessories:
| 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 |
| CPI | 100.000 | 95.485 | 88.408 | 85.431 | 79.108 | 73.977 | 67.408 | 62.431 | 58.938 | 55.385 | 52.512 | 50.641 | 49.943 | 46.429 | 43.057 | 40.980 | 38.558 | 37.001 | 36.779 | 34.363 | 33.019 | 32.147 | 29.577 | 26.449 | 25.958 | 25.521 | 24.033 | 23.447 |