Dallas, Texas prices:$48,500 in 1985$136,141.94 in 2026

Inflation in Texas

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Prices in Dallas, 1985-2026 ($48,500)

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas are 180.71% higher in 2026 versus 1985 (a $87,641.94 difference in value).

Between 1985 and 2026:Dallas experienced an average inflation rate of 2.55% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, $48,500 in Dallas in the year 1985 would cost $136,141.94 in 2026 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.74% 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
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Buying power of $48,500.00 since 1985

Below are calculations of equivalent buying power in Dallas, over time, for $48,500 beginning in 1985. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:

YearUSD ValueInflation Rate
1985$48,500.003.75%
1986$49,349.241.75%
1987$50,580.072.49%
1988$52,050.332.91%
1989$53,606.642.99%
1990$56,030.894.52%
1991$58,653.424.68%
1992$60,075.052.42%
1993$61,578.992.50%
1994$63,318.612.83%
1995$64,968.452.61%
1996$66,745.492.74%
1997$67,935.171.78%
1998$68,896.641.42%
1999$70,842.022.82%
2000$73,819.964.20%
2001$76,423.793.53%
2002$77,463.821.36%
2003$79,094.962.11%
2004$80,149.951.33%
2005$82,738.823.23%
2006$85,320.193.12%
2007$86,601.381.50%
2008$90,563.694.58%
2009$89,966.38-0.66%
2010$90,495.900.59%
2011$93,236.423.03%
2012$95,192.882.10%
2013$96,919.791.81%
2014$98,070.491.19%
2015$97,580.40-0.50%
2016$98,948.901.40%
2017$101,470.572.55%
2018$104,456.672.94%
2019$106,649.792.10%
2020$107,311.080.62%
2021$112,712.675.03%
2022$122,659.968.83%
2023$129,122.085.27%
2024$134,225.963.95%
2025$136,163.561.44%
2026$136,141.94-0.02%*

* 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
CPI29.50029.53329.85030.88331.83333.15035.24237.43338.58339.70841.76745.90850.15053.20857.12561.59269.24280.97590.48395.95099.458104.133108.033109.925112.667115.942119.408124.808130.650133.817137.167141.042144.717148.675151.325153.467157.800164.433170.233172.550176.183178.533184.300190.050192.904201.730200.399201.579207.683212.041215.888218.451217.359220.408226.025232.676237.561239.035251.066273.224287.618298.987303.303303.255

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 303.255 in 2026:

303.255 / 108.033* $48,500 = $136,141.94

Therefore, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, $48,500 in 1985 has the same "purchasing power" as $136,141.94 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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