Coffee prices are 77.15% higher in 2026 versus 1997 (a $3.17 difference in value).
The latest available average price is $9.30 in August 2026 for Coffee, 100%, ground roast, all sizes, per lb. (453.6 gm). See observed price history.
Between 1997 and 2026, Coffee experienced an average inflation rate of 1.99% per year. In other words, coffee costing $4.11 in the year 1997 would cost $7.28 in 2026 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.53% during this same period, inflation for coffee was lower.
In the year 1997: Pricing changed by 12.64%, which is significantly above the average yearly change for coffee during the 1997-2026 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1997 (2.34%), inflation for coffee was much higher.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average price of coffee rose 126%, from $4.11 per pound in 1997 to $9.30 in August 2026. Overall prices rose 109% over the same period, so coffee rose faster than inflation. This data is collected by a national survey and can vary from region to region.
● Price● Price, inflation-adjusted
The average price for coffee is calculated from a weighted average of retailer data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The table below shows the average U.S. price of coffee, 100%, ground roast, all sizes, per lb. (453.6 gm) each year, along with the same price adjusted for inflation. To understand how price levels differ from inflation rates, see this article published by the BLS.
| Year | Price (per pound) | Price, inflation-adjusted |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 (partial) | $9.47 | $9.47 |
| 2025 | $8.18 | $8.51 |
| 2024 | $6.32 | $6.75 |
| 2023 | $6.16 | $6.77 |
| 2022 | $5.89 | $6.74 |
| 2021 | $4.71 | $5.82 |
| 2020 | $4.43 | $5.74 |
| 2019 | $4.14 | $5.43 |
| 2018 | $4.30 | $5.74 |
| 2017 | $4.45 | $6.08 |
| 2016 | $4.39 | $6.13 |
| 2015 | $4.72 | $6.67 |
| 2014 | $4.99 | $7.06 |
| 2013 | $5.45 | $7.84 |
| 2012 | $5.68 | $8.28 |
| 2011 | $5.19 | $7.73 |
| 2010 | $3.91 | $6.00 |
| 2009 | $3.67 | $5.73 |
| 2008 | No data | — |
| 2007 | $3.47 | $5.60 |
| 2006 | $3.20 | $5.32 |
| 2005 | $3.26 | $5.60 |
| 2004 | $2.85 | $5.05 |
| 2003 | $2.92 | $5.31 |
| 2002 | $2.92 | $5.44 |
| 2001 | $3.09 | $5.85 |
| 2000 | $3.45 | $6.71 |
| 1999 | $3.43 | $6.89 |
| 1998 | $3.77 | $7.74 |
| 1997 | $4.11 | $8.58 |
| 1996 | $3.43 | $7.32 |
| 1995 | $4.04 | $8.88 |
| 1994 | $3.40 | $7.69 |
| 1993 | $2.47 | $5.73 |
| 1992 | $2.58 | $6.15 |
| 1991 | $2.81 | $6.91 |
| 1990 | $2.97 | $7.60 |
| 1989 | $3.07 | $8.30 |
| 1988 | $2.77 | $7.84 |
| 1987 | $2.79 | $8.21 |
| 1986 | $3.43 | $10.49 |
| 1985 | $2.58 | $8.03 |
| 1984 | $2.58 | $8.31 |
| 1983 | $2.47 | $8.29 |
| 1982 | $2.52 | $8.76 |
| 1981 | $2.53 | $9.31 |
| 1980 | $3.14 | $12.78 |
Yearly averages; 2026 is through August. Inflation-adjusted to 2026 dollars.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Coffee, over time, for $4.11 beginning in 1997. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | $4.11 | 12.64% |
| 1998 | $4.00 | -2.73% |
| 1999 | $3.79 | -5.31% |
| 2000 | $3.77 | -0.49% |
| 2001 | $3.59 | -4.71% |
| 2002 | $3.49 | -2.83% |
| 2003 | $3.55 | 1.65% |
| 2004 | $3.55 | 0.27% |
| 2005 | $3.94 | 10.94% |
| 2006 | $4.04 | 2.51% |
| 2007 | $4.30 | 6.28% |
| 2008 | $4.60 | 7.05% |
| 2009 | $4.56 | -0.91% |
| 2010 | $4.56 | 0.05% |
| 2011 | $5.23 | 14.70% |
| 2012 | $5.32 | 1.69% |
| 2013 | $5.01 | -5.85% |
| 2014 | $4.92 | -1.82% |
| 2015 | $5.03 | 2.27% |
| 2016 | $4.88 | -3.03% |
| 2017 | $4.87 | -0.08% |
| 2018 | $4.77 | -2.15% |
| 2019 | $4.73 | -0.84% |
| 2020 | $4.75 | 0.49% |
| 2021 | $4.87 | 2.62% |
| 2022 | $5.57 | 14.36% |
| 2023 | $5.80 | 4.11% |
| 2024 | $5.75 | -0.88% |
| 2025 | $6.53 | 13.45% |
| 2026 | $7.28 | 11.56%* |
* 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 Coffee:
| Year | 1967 | 1968 | 1969 | 1970 | 1971 | 1972 | 1973 | 1974 | 1975 | 1976 | 1977 | 1978 | 1979 | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
| CPI | 26.625 | 26.483 | 26.850 | 31.717 | 32.625 | 32.100 | 35.717 | 42.558 | 46.392 | 63.750 | 112.925 | 107.200 | 101.817 | 111.608 | 96.183 | 98.500 | 98.817 | 102.708 | 105.458 | 132.692 | 116.175 | 114.958 | 120.408 | 117.483 | 115.250 | 110.742 | 109.775 | 140.433 | 163.133 | 149.158 | 168.017 | 163.433 | 154.750 | 153.992 | 146.733 | 142.583 | 144.933 | 145.325 | 161.225 | 165.275 | 175.647 | 188.027 | 186.317 | 186.418 | 213.824 | 217.441 | 204.713 | 200.984 | 205.540 | 199.306 | 199.156 | 194.876 | 193.237 | 194.177 | 199.263 | 227.887 | 237.245 | 235.159 | 266.793 | 297.647 |