Dallas, Texas prices: $38,000 in 1972 $289,479.14 in 2026

Inflation in Texas

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Prices in Dallas, 1972-2026 ($38,000)

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas are 661.79% higher in 2026 versus 1972 (a $251,479.14 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, $38,000 in Dallas in the year 1972 would cost $289,479.14 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
Frankfurters · Film and photographic supplies · Gasoline (all types) · Alcoholic beverages · More

Buying power of $38,000.00 since 1972

Below are calculations of equivalent buying power in Dallas, over time, for $38,000 beginning in 1972. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:

YearUSD ValueInflation Rate
1972$38,000.002.92%
1973$39,969.785.18%
1974$43,933.269.92%
1975$47,992.449.24%
1976$50,919.206.10%
1977$54,667.377.36%
1978$58,941.877.82%
1979$66,262.7512.42%
1980$77,491.2916.95%
1981$86,590.5611.74%
1982$91,822.046.04%
1983$95,179.433.66%
1984$99,653.314.70%
1985$103,385.523.75%
1986$105,195.801.75%
1987$107,819.522.49%
1988$110,953.622.91%
1989$114,271.142.99%
1990$119,438.824.52%
1991$125,029.174.68%
1992$128,059.602.42%
1993$131,265.482.50%
1994$134,973.772.83%
1995$138,490.662.61%
1996$142,278.702.74%
1997$144,814.691.78%
1998$146,864.221.42%
1999$151,011.122.82%
2000$157,359.084.20%
2001$162,909.553.53%
2002$165,126.551.36%
2003$168,603.572.11%
2004$170,852.471.33%
2005$176,371.043.23%
2006$181,873.663.12%
2007$184,604.721.50%
2008$193,051.014.58%
2009$191,777.75-0.66%
2010$192,906.500.59%
2011$198,748.373.03%
2012$202,918.882.10%
2013$206,600.061.81%
2014$209,052.951.19%
2015$208,008.25-0.50%
2016$210,925.441.40%
2017$216,300.782.55%
2018$222,666.122.94%
2019$227,341.122.10%
2020$228,750.750.62%
2021$240,265.115.03%
2022$261,469.358.83%
2023$275,244.415.27%
2024$286,124.133.95%
2025$290,324.931.47%
2026$289,479.14-0.29%*

* 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 * $38,000 = $289,479.14

Therefore, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, $38,000 in 1972 has the same "purchasing power" as $289,479.14 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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