According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for internet services and electronic information providers were 21.30% lower in 2020 versus 1997 (a $10.65 difference in value).
Between 1997 and 2020: Internet services experienced an average inflation rate of -1.04% per year. In other words, internet services costing $50 in the year 1997 would cost $39.35 in 2020 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.09% during this same period, inflation for internet services was significantly lower.
Raw Consumer Price Index data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for Internet services and electronic information providers:
| 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 |
| CPI | 100.000 | 102.462 | 92.238 | 96.385 | 98.062 | 98.900 | 99.808 | 97.362 | 95.708 | 92.169 | 73.247 | 73.912 | 76.535 | 77.027 | 76.302 | 76.487 | 77.190 | 78.069 | 77.524 | 77.411 | 76.534 | 75.954 | 77.090 | 78.700 |
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Internet services, over time, for $50 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 | $50.00 | - |
| 1998 | $51.23 | 2.46% |
| 1999 | $46.12 | -9.98% |
| 2000 | $48.19 | 4.50% |
| 2001 | $49.03 | 1.74% |
| 2002 | $49.45 | 0.86% |
| 2003 | $49.90 | 0.92% |
| 2004 | $48.68 | -2.45% |
| 2005 | $47.85 | -1.70% |
| 2006 | $46.08 | -3.70% |
| 2007 | $36.62 | -20.53% |
| 2008 | $36.96 | 0.91% |
| 2009 | $38.27 | 3.55% |
| 2010 | $38.51 | 0.64% |
| 2011 | $38.15 | -0.94% |
| 2012 | $38.24 | 0.24% |
| 2013 | $38.60 | 0.92% |
| 2014 | $39.03 | 1.14% |
| 2015 | $38.76 | -0.70% |
| 2016 | $38.71 | -0.15% |
| 2017 | $38.27 | -1.13% |
| 2018 | $37.98 | -0.76% |
| 2019 | $38.55 | 1.50% |
| 2020 | $39.35 | 2.09%* |