Dallas, Texas prices: $38 in 1972 $289.48 in 2026

Inflation in Texas

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Prices in Dallas, 1972-2026 ($38)

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas are 661.79% higher in 2026 versus 1972 (a $251.48 difference in value).

Between 1972 and 2026: Dallas experienced an average inflation rate of 3.83% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, $38 in Dallas in the year 1972 would cost $289.48 in 2026 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 3.87% during this same period, inflation in Dallas was lower.

In the year 1972: Pricing changed by 2.92%, which is below the average yearly change in Dallas during the 1972-2026 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1972 (3.27%), 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
Parking fees and tolls · Admission to sporting events · Dental services · Rent of primary residence · More

Buying power of $38.00 since 1972

Below are calculations of equivalent buying power in Dallas, over time, for $38 beginning in 1972. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:

YearUSD ValueInflation Rate
1972$38.002.92%
1973$39.975.18%
1974$43.939.92%
1975$47.999.24%
1976$50.926.10%
1977$54.677.36%
1978$58.947.82%
1979$66.2612.42%
1980$77.4916.95%
1981$86.5911.74%
1982$91.826.04%
1983$95.183.66%
1984$99.654.70%
1985$103.393.75%
1986$105.201.75%
1987$107.822.49%
1988$110.952.91%
1989$114.272.99%
1990$119.444.52%
1991$125.034.68%
1992$128.062.42%
1993$131.272.50%
1994$134.972.83%
1995$138.492.61%
1996$142.282.74%
1997$144.811.78%
1998$146.861.42%
1999$151.012.82%
2000$157.364.20%
2001$162.913.53%
2002$165.131.36%
2003$168.602.11%
2004$170.851.33%
2005$176.373.23%
2006$181.873.12%
2007$184.601.50%
2008$193.054.58%
2009$191.78-0.66%
2010$192.910.59%
2011$198.753.03%
2012$202.922.10%
2013$206.601.81%
2014$209.051.19%
2015$208.01-0.50%
2016$210.931.40%
2017$216.302.55%
2018$222.672.94%
2019$227.342.10%
2020$228.750.62%
2021$240.275.03%
2022$261.478.83%
2023$275.245.27%
2024$286.123.95%
2025$290.321.47%
2026$289.48-0.29%*

* 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 1972 * 1972 USD value = 2026 USD value

Then plug in historical CPI values from above. The CPI for Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas was 39.708 in the year 1972 and 302.493 in 2026:

302.493 / 39.708 * $38 = $289.48

Therefore, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, $38 in 1972 has the same "purchasing power" as $289.48 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.

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