Dallas, Texas prices: $39 in 1972 $297.10 in 2026

Inflation in Texas

$

Prices in Dallas, 1972-2026 ($39)

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas are 661.79% higher in 2026 versus 1972 (a $258.10 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, $39 in Dallas in the year 1972 would cost $297.10 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
Fresh fruits · St Louis, Missouri · Televisions · Bread · More

Buying power of $39.00 since 1972

Below are calculations of equivalent buying power in Dallas, over time, for $39 beginning in 1972. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:

YearUSD ValueInflation Rate
1972$39.002.92%
1973$41.025.18%
1974$45.099.92%
1975$49.269.24%
1976$52.266.10%
1977$56.117.36%
1978$60.497.82%
1979$68.0112.42%
1980$79.5316.95%
1981$88.8711.74%
1982$94.246.04%
1983$97.683.66%
1984$102.284.70%
1985$106.113.75%
1986$107.961.75%
1987$110.662.49%
1988$113.872.91%
1989$117.282.99%
1990$122.584.52%
1991$128.324.68%
1992$131.432.42%
1993$134.722.50%
1994$138.532.83%
1995$142.142.61%
1996$146.022.74%
1997$148.631.78%
1998$150.731.42%
1999$154.992.82%
2000$161.504.20%
2001$167.203.53%
2002$169.471.36%
2003$173.042.11%
2004$175.351.33%
2005$181.013.23%
2006$186.663.12%
2007$189.461.50%
2008$198.134.58%
2009$196.82-0.66%
2010$197.980.59%
2011$203.983.03%
2012$208.262.10%
2013$212.041.81%
2014$214.551.19%
2015$213.48-0.50%
2016$216.481.40%
2017$221.992.55%
2018$228.532.94%
2019$233.322.10%
2020$234.770.62%
2021$246.595.03%
2022$268.358.83%
2023$282.495.27%
2024$293.653.95%
2025$297.971.47%
2026$297.10-0.29%*

* 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 * $39 = $297.10

Therefore, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, $39 in 1972 has the same "purchasing power" as $297.10 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.