Dallas, Texas prices: $38 in 1971 $297.92 in 2026

Inflation in Texas

$

Prices in Dallas, 1971-2026 ($38)

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas are 684% higher in 2026 versus 1971 (a $259.92 difference in value).

Between 1971 and 2026: Dallas experienced an average inflation rate of 3.82% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, $38 in Dallas in the year 1971 would cost $297.92 in 2026 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 3.85% during this same period, inflation in Dallas was lower.

In the year 1971: Pricing changed by 3.07%, which is below the average yearly change in Dallas during the 1971-2026 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1971 (4.29%), inflation in Dallas was lower.

Price Inflation in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas since 1963

Consumer Price Index, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Years with the largest changes in pricing: 1980 (16.95%), 1979 (12.42%), and 1981 (11.74%).

View price changes for other categories
Denver, Colorado · Parking fees and tolls · Boston, Massachusetts · Detroit, Michigan · More

Buying power of $38.00 since 1971

Below are calculations of equivalent buying power in Dallas, over time, for $38 beginning in 1971. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:

YearUSD ValueInflation Rate
1971$38.003.07%
1972$39.112.92%
1973$41.145.18%
1974$45.219.92%
1975$49.399.24%
1976$52.406.10%
1977$56.267.36%
1978$60.667.82%
1979$68.1912.42%
1980$79.7516.95%
1981$89.1211.74%
1982$94.506.04%
1983$97.953.66%
1984$102.564.70%
1985$106.403.75%
1986$108.261.75%
1987$110.962.49%
1988$114.192.91%
1989$117.602.99%
1990$122.924.52%
1991$128.674.68%
1992$131.792.42%
1993$135.092.50%
1994$138.912.83%
1995$142.532.61%
1996$146.432.74%
1997$149.041.78%
1998$151.151.42%
1999$155.412.82%
2000$161.954.20%
2001$167.663.53%
2002$169.941.36%
2003$173.522.11%
2004$175.831.33%
2005$181.513.23%
2006$187.183.12%
2007$189.991.50%
2008$198.684.58%
2009$197.37-0.66%
2010$198.530.59%
2011$204.543.03%
2012$208.842.10%
2013$212.621.81%
2014$215.151.19%
2015$214.07-0.50%
2016$217.081.40%
2017$222.612.55%
2018$229.162.94%
2019$233.972.10%
2020$235.420.62%
2021$247.275.03%
2022$269.098.83%
2023$283.275.27%
2024$294.473.95%
2025$298.791.47%
2026$297.92-0.29%*

* 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 Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas:

Year1963196419651966196719681969197019711972197319741975197619771978197919801981198219831984198519861987198819891990199119921993199419951996199719981999200020012002200320042005200620072008200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192020202120222023202420252026
CPI29.50029.53329.85030.88331.83333.15035.24237.43338.58339.70841.76745.90850.15053.20857.12561.59269.24280.97590.48395.95099.458104.133108.033109.925112.667115.942119.408124.808130.650133.817137.167141.042144.717148.675151.325153.467157.800164.433170.233172.550176.183178.533184.300190.050192.904201.730200.399201.579207.683212.041215.888218.451217.359220.408226.025232.676237.561239.035251.066273.224287.618298.987303.377302.493

Adjust Dallas prices for inflation

Start with the inflation rate formula:

CPI in 2026 / CPI in 1971 * 1971 USD value = 2026 USD value

Then plug in historical CPI values from above. The CPI for Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas was 38.583 in the year 1971 and 302.493 in 2026:

302.493 / 38.583 * $38 = $297.92

Therefore, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, $38 in 1971 has the same "purchasing power" as $297.92 in 2026 (in the CPI category of Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas).


Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics began tracking the Consumer Price Index for Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas in 1963. In addition to Dallas, the index produces monthly data on changes in prices paid by urban consumers for a variety of goods and services.

» Read more about inflation and investment.