Dallas, Texas prices: $21 in 1985 $58.80 in 2026

Inflation in Texas

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Prices in Dallas, 1985-2026 ($21)

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas are 180% higher in 2026 versus 1985 (a $37.80 difference in value).

Between 1985 and 2026: Dallas experienced an average inflation rate of 2.54% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, $21 in Dallas in the year 1985 would cost $58.80 in 2026 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.73% during this same period, inflation in Dallas was lower.

In the year 1985: Pricing changed by 3.75%, which is above the average yearly change in Dallas during the 1985-2026 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1985 (3.55%), inflation in Dallas was higher.

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
Medical care · Dental services · Indoor plants and flowers · Gasoline (all types) · More

Buying power of $21.00 since 1985

Below are calculations of equivalent buying power in Dallas, over time, for $21 beginning in 1985. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:

YearUSD ValueInflation Rate
1985$21.003.75%
1986$21.371.75%
1987$21.902.49%
1988$22.542.91%
1989$23.212.99%
1990$24.264.52%
1991$25.404.68%
1992$26.012.42%
1993$26.662.50%
1994$27.422.83%
1995$28.132.61%
1996$28.902.74%
1997$29.421.78%
1998$29.831.42%
1999$30.672.82%
2000$31.964.20%
2001$33.093.53%
2002$33.541.36%
2003$34.252.11%
2004$34.701.33%
2005$35.833.23%
2006$36.943.12%
2007$37.501.50%
2008$39.214.58%
2009$38.95-0.66%
2010$39.180.59%
2011$40.373.03%
2012$41.222.10%
2013$41.971.81%
2014$42.461.19%
2015$42.25-0.50%
2016$42.841.40%
2017$43.942.55%
2018$45.232.94%
2019$46.182.10%
2020$46.460.62%
2021$48.805.03%
2022$53.118.83%
2023$55.915.27%
2024$58.123.95%
2025$58.971.47%
2026$58.80-0.29%*

* 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 1985 * 1985 USD value = 2026 USD value

Then plug in historical CPI values from above. The CPI for Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas was 108.033 in the year 1985 and 302.493 in 2026:

302.493 / 108.033 * $21 = $58.80

Therefore, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, $21 in 1985 has the same "purchasing power" as $58.80 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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