If I paid $2000 for a tv in 1988, what would be the equivalent
of that same $2,000 today in 2005?

Hi boomer336:

Thanks for the interesting question. 

The best measure of the cost of inflation is the Consumer Price Index (CPI). 

Oregon State has a table of the CPI figures from 1800, based on the
comparison to 2005 dollars at:

Consumer Price Index (CPI) Conversion Factors 1800 to estimated 2015
to Convert to Dollars of estimated 2005
http://oregonstate.edu/Dept/pol_sci/fac/sahr/cv2005.pdf

This table lists the conversion factor for 1988 to 2005 as 0.612. This
means that $1 in 1988 is equivalent to

$1.00/0.612 = $1.634

So, the equivalent of $2,000 in 1988 money today would be:

2000*1.634 = $3,268

However, since you likely bought the TV part-way through 1988 and it
is also part-way through 2005, it is more mathematically correct to
round the resulting figure to something like $3,270.

Search strategy (on Google): 
* CPI table 1988 2005

Hope this helps. 

websearcher

Great answer. I can't make up my mind between two new TV's, both widescreen,
both HD ready. Toshiba 34" tube TV - $1,400, or the Toshiba 46" DPL for
$2,400. Both would be a bargain compared to the $1,650, plus stand $165,
and tax, that I paid in 1988.

I hope that was a super spiftacular TV :)

If your intent in this question is to learn about the rate of
inflation, then the answer given was totally correct in logic.

However, if you are specifically interested in finding a comparable
TV, then I would point out that items like TVs have actually gone down
in price over time since it has become cheaper to build with better
technology and volumes have increased economies of scale.  For
example, when VCRs first came out a few decades ago, they cost
thousands of dollars and now you can get one for around $30.

The set was a Mitsubishi 35" that came in a cabinet, therefore,
I was able to utilize the top for two components. I know what you 
mean about the early VCR's. Bought my first one in 1977, an RCA
that only had one speed, it cost about $750. Blank tapes came in
three versions, 60, 90, or 120 min., and sold for about $20 each.
I'd still like to know what $2000 in 1988 would be equaled to now,
forget about any items, just figure in inflation.