According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for postage and delivery services are 142.11% higher in 2024 versus 1997 (a $28.42 difference in value).
Between 1997 and 2024: Postage and delivery services experienced an average inflation rate of 3.33% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, postage and delivery services costing $20 in the year 1997 would cost $48.42 in 2024 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.51% during this same period, inflation for postage and delivery services was higher.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Postage and delivery services, 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 | $20.02 | 0.08% |
| 1999 | $20.62 | 3.00% |
| 2000 | $20.64 | 0.10% |
| 2001 | $21.46 | 4.00% |
| 2002 | $22.73 | 5.92% |
| 2003 | $23.87 | 5.01% |
| 2004 | $23.96 | 0.38% |
| 2005 | $24.03 | 0.29% |
| 2006 | $25.32 | 5.35% |
| 2007 | $26.02 | 2.77% |
| 2008 | $27.10 | 4.14% |
| 2009 | $28.23 | 4.18% |
| 2010 | $29.18 | 3.37% |
| 2011 | $30.43 | 4.28% |
| 2012 | $31.54 | 3.64% |
| 2013 | $33.45 | 6.06% |
| 2014 | $34.83 | 4.12% |
| 2015 | $34.92 | 0.26% |
| 2016 | $35.12 | 0.58% |
| 2017 | $36.06 | 2.67% |
| 2018 | $36.99 | 2.57% |
| 2019 | $38.95 | 5.31% |
| 2020 | $40.54 | 4.07% |
| 2021 | $42.23 | 4.18% |
| 2022 | $44.00 | 4.20% |
| 2023 | $46.12 | 4.80% |
| 2024 | $48.42 | 5.00%* |
* 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 Postage and delivery 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 |
| CPI | 100.000 | 100.085 | 103.085 | 103.192 | 107.315 | 113.669 | 119.369 | 119.823 | 120.169 | 126.592 | 130.103 | 135.492 | 141.154 | 145.909 | 152.161 | 157.702 | 167.261 | 174.154 | 174.602 | 175.610 | 180.295 | 184.936 | 194.763 | 202.691 | 211.158 | 220.021 | 230.577 | 242.111 |