Dallas, Texas prices: $12 in 1986 $33.02 in 2026

Inflation in Texas

$

Prices in Dallas, 1986-2026 ($12)

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas are 175.18% higher in 2026 versus 1986 (a $21.02 difference in value).

Between 1986 and 2026: Dallas experienced an average inflation rate of 2.56% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, $12 in Dallas in the year 1986 would cost $33.02 in 2026 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.75% during this same period, inflation in Dallas was lower.

In the year 1986: Pricing changed by 1.75%, which is below the average yearly change in Dallas during the 1986-2026 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1986 (1.90%), 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
Financial services · Tampa, Florida · Juices and nonalcoholic drinks · Legal services · More

Buying power of $12.00 since 1986

Below are calculations of equivalent buying power in Dallas, over time, for $12 beginning in 1986. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:

YearUSD ValueInflation Rate
1986$12.001.75%
1987$12.302.49%
1988$12.662.91%
1989$13.042.99%
1990$13.624.52%
1991$14.264.68%
1992$14.612.42%
1993$14.972.50%
1994$15.402.83%
1995$15.802.61%
1996$16.232.74%
1997$16.521.78%
1998$16.751.42%
1999$17.232.82%
2000$17.954.20%
2001$18.583.53%
2002$18.841.36%
2003$19.232.11%
2004$19.491.33%
2005$20.123.23%
2006$20.753.12%
2007$21.061.50%
2008$22.024.58%
2009$21.88-0.66%
2010$22.010.59%
2011$22.673.03%
2012$23.152.10%
2013$23.571.81%
2014$23.851.19%
2015$23.73-0.50%
2016$24.061.40%
2017$24.672.55%
2018$25.402.94%
2019$25.932.10%
2020$26.090.62%
2021$27.415.03%
2022$29.838.83%
2023$31.405.27%
2024$32.643.95%
2025$33.121.47%
2026$33.02-0.29%*

* 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 1986 * 1986 USD value = 2026 USD value

Then plug in historical CPI values from above. The CPI for Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas was 109.925 in the year 1986 and 302.493 in 2026:

302.493 / 109.925 * $12 = $33.02

Therefore, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, $12 in 1986 has the same "purchasing power" as $33.02 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.