Dallas, Texas prices: $51 in 1972 $388.51 in 2026

Inflation in Texas

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Prices in Dallas, 1972-2026 ($51)

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas are 661.79% higher in 2026 versus 1972 (a $337.51 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, $51 in Dallas in the year 1972 would cost $388.51 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
New trucks · Fresh fruits · Bananas · Alcoholic beverages · More

Buying power of $51.00 since 1972

Below are calculations of equivalent buying power in Dallas, over time, for $51 beginning in 1972. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:

YearUSD ValueInflation Rate
1972$51.002.92%
1973$53.645.18%
1974$58.969.92%
1975$64.419.24%
1976$68.346.10%
1977$73.377.36%
1978$79.117.82%
1979$88.9312.42%
1980$104.0016.95%
1981$116.2111.74%
1982$123.236.04%
1983$127.743.66%
1984$133.754.70%
1985$138.753.75%
1986$141.181.75%
1987$144.712.49%
1988$148.912.91%
1989$153.362.99%
1990$160.304.52%
1991$167.804.68%
1992$171.872.42%
1993$176.172.50%
1994$181.152.83%
1995$185.872.61%
1996$190.952.74%
1997$194.361.78%
1998$197.111.42%
1999$202.672.82%
2000$211.194.20%
2001$218.643.53%
2002$221.621.36%
2003$226.282.11%
2004$229.301.33%
2005$236.713.23%
2006$244.093.12%
2007$247.761.50%
2008$259.094.58%
2009$257.39-0.66%
2010$258.900.59%
2011$266.743.03%
2012$272.342.10%
2013$277.281.81%
2014$280.571.19%
2015$279.17-0.50%
2016$283.081.40%
2017$290.302.55%
2018$298.842.94%
2019$305.122.10%
2020$307.010.62%
2021$322.465.03%
2022$350.928.83%
2023$369.415.27%
2024$384.013.95%
2025$389.651.47%
2026$388.51-0.29%*

* 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 * $51 = $388.51

Therefore, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, $51 in 1972 has the same "purchasing power" as $388.51 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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