Are school supplies pricier today than decades prior?

Are school supplies pricier today than decades prior? Here’s what the data shows

From backpacks to tech to clothing, the back to school shopping list can feel endless and expensive. It's really important more than ever for families to have *** strategy when it comes to back to school shopping and have *** budget in mind. Andrea Warrack, *** consumer savings expert, says one of the best ways to get started is by checking what you already have at home and be sure to get your kids involved. This is *** great budgeting lesson. Teach them opportunity costs. If we save money on these supplies by reusing, we have more to spend towards something else that maybe they really want. If you do need *** new backpack or school clothes, investing in brands with warranties can help save money down the road. Jansport and Herschel backpacks both offer limited lifetime warranties that cover manufacturing defects. Old Navy's kids clothes and Target's Cat and Jack brand also both come with. Lawn money back guarantees. Just make sure to keep your receipts. Spend *** little bit more, get better quality that lasts. For other items, Warrock suggests buying secondhand. Facebook Marketplace and consignment stores are good options for clothing or backpacks. Some retailers like Athleta and H&M even have their own pre-love sites through the resale platform Thread Up, and for tech, you can save with certified refurbished products. This could be for Your laptops, scientific calculators, tablets, um, really think anything that your child would need for school. And one of the easiest ways to save, finding store brands instead of name brands whenever possible. Stores have more power to discount their own brands further. The difference in price is usually about 30 to 50%, so instant way to save and you're really not giving up any quality. Using store apps and loyalty programs can provide even more savings, especially when stacked on cashback offers, and remember to check what rewards your debit or credit card has available. Reporting in Washington, I'm Amy Lowe.

Updated: 1:53 PM CDT Aug 18, 2025

Editorial Standards ⓘ

Are school supplies pricier today than decades prior? Here’s what the data shows

Updated: 1:53 PM CDT Aug 18, 2025

Editorial Standards ⓘ

As parents check items off their kids’ school supply lists, the total cost may feel like a burden on their wallets. Some parents started back-to-school shopping earlier this year to take advantage of deals and save money.The National Retail Federation reported that two-thirds of shoppers began purchasing their school supplies early this year, with many starting as early as July. That is up from 55% last year and marks the highest percentage since the NRF began tracking early shopping in 2018.But are school supplies more expensive now than in past decades? The Hearst Television Data Team analyzed prices of essential back-to-school items like pencils, pens, erasers, notebooks and more through the decades using newspaper archives.The archival search was limited to the months of June through August, and the lowest available price for each item was recorded.To calculate what the cost of an item was from one time period to another, the Hearst Television Data Team used the Consumer Price Index for the month of August from 1960 to the present day.August is typically when the height of back-to-school shopping occurs, according to the Pew Research Center. The CPI tracks the average price change over time for items like groceries, housing and consumer goods. To keep the comparisons consistent, all prices were adjusted to reflect their projected value in August 2025.The price for a Papermate ballpoint pen in 1966 was $0.79. To adjust for inflation, that amount was divided by the CPI for August 1966 and then multiplied by the current CPI. In today's dollars, the pen would come out to $7.80. See how the prices of school supplies have changed through the years below:

WASHINGTON —

As parents check items off their kids’ school supply lists, the total cost may feel like a burden on their wallets.

Some parents started back-to-school shopping earlier this year to take advantage of deals and save money.

The reported that two-thirds of shoppers began purchasing their school supplies early this year, with many starting as early as July. That is up from 55% last year and marks the highest percentage since the NRF began tracking early shopping in 2018.

But are school supplies more expensive now than in past decades? The Hearst Television Data Team analyzed prices of essential back-to-school items like pencils, pens, erasers, notebooks and more through the decades using newspaper archives.

The archival search was limited to the months of June through August, and the lowest available price for each item was recorded.

To calculate what the cost of an item was from one time period to another, the Hearst Television Data Team used the Consumer Price Index for the month of August from 1960 to the present day.

August is typically when the height of back-to-school shopping occurs, according to the .

The CPI tracks the average price change over time for items like groceries, housing and consumer goods. To keep the comparisons consistent, all prices were adjusted to reflect their projected value in August 2025.

The price for a Papermate ballpoint pen in 1966 was $0.79. To adjust for inflation, that amount was divided by the CPI for August 1966 and then multiplied by the current CPI. In today's dollars, the pen would come out to $7.80.

See how the prices of school supplies have changed through the years below:

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