Have you noticed how much cheaper—and better—televisions have become the last few decades?

In the early 2000s, most Americans were still watching television on heavy cathode-ray tube sets. The average household TV was 25 inches, with a thick plastic frame, curved glass screen, and picture quality that now looks unwatchable. Flat screens existed but were luxury items, with plasma TVs starting at $2,000, rendering them aspirational tech rather than a mass-market option. 

Nowadays at Walmart, you can buy a 75-inch ultra-high-def “smart” TV for under $500, with immersive sound, voice control, and other computerization that would’ve been science fiction in the TiVo days. This price flattening has occurred not just with televisions, but all consumer electronics, and has happened during the same period when more essential goods and services rose in price. It’s a great case study in what happens when industries are largely unregulated and exposed to competitive pressures, while others are heavily regulated or even socialized.

The discrepancy was highlighted by AEI economist Mark Perry, who updated a now-famous chart comparing price changes across major consumer categories since 2000.

Between 2000 and 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for many goods have grown more slowly than overall inflation—or even declined in real terms. These include televisions, computer software, phone service, household furnishings, and new cars. In each category, quality has also greatly........

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