According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for coffee were 512.25% higher in 2020 versus 1970 (a $1.28 difference in value).
The current national average price is $2.83 for "Coffee, 100%, ground roast, 13.1-20 oz. can, per lb. (453.6 gm)". This data is collected by a national survey and can vary from region to region.
Between 1970 and 2020: Coffee experienced an average inflation rate of 3.69% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, coffee costing $0.25 in the year 1970 would cost $1.53 in 2020 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 3.87% during this same period, inflation for coffee was lower.
In the year 1970: Pricing changed by 18.10%, which is significantly above the average yearly change for coffee during the 1970-2020 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1970 (5.83%), inflation for coffee was much higher.
The average price for Coffee is calculated from a weighted average of retailer data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Inflation rate is also calculated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The table below shows average prices and their corresponding "real" prices adjusted for inflation rate. To understand how price levels differ from inflation rates, see this article published by the BLS.
Average prices for Coffee, 100%, ground roast, 13.1-20 oz. can, per lb. (453.6 gm):
| Year | Average price (Coffee) | Inflation adjusted price (2024 dollars) |
|---|---|---|
| 1988 | $2.82 | $2.82 |
| 1987 | $2.93 | $2.90 |
| 1986 | $3.45 | $2.99 |
| 1985 | $2.67 | $2.91 |
| 1984 | $2.64 | $2.95 |
| 1983 | $2.53 | $2.94 |
| 1982 | $2.57 | $3.00 |
| 1981 | $2.51 | $3.00 |
| 1980 | $3.11 | $3.20 |
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Coffee, over time, for $0.25 beginning in 1970. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | $0.25 | 18.10% |
| 1971 | $0.26 | 2.86% |
| 1972 | $0.25 | -1.60% |
| 1973 | $0.28 | 11.26% |
| 1974 | $0.34 | 19.15% |
| 1975 | $0.37 | 9.02% |
| 1976 | $0.50 | 37.42% |
| 1977 | $0.89 | 77.12% |
| 1978 | $0.85 | -5.07% |
| 1979 | $0.80 | -5.02% |
| 1980 | $0.88 | 9.62% |
| 1981 | $0.76 | -13.82% |
| 1982 | $0.78 | 2.41% |
| 1983 | $0.78 | 0.32% |
| 1984 | $0.81 | 3.94% |
| 1985 | $0.83 | 2.68% |
| 1986 | $1.05 | 25.82% |
| 1987 | $0.92 | -12.45% |
| 1988 | $0.91 | -1.05% |
| 1989 | $0.95 | 4.74% |
| 1990 | $0.93 | -2.43% |
| 1991 | $0.91 | -1.90% |
| 1992 | $0.87 | -3.92% |
| 1993 | $0.87 | -0.87% |
| 1994 | $1.11 | 27.92% |
| 1995 | $1.29 | 16.16% |
| 1996 | $1.18 | -8.56% |
| 1997 | $1.32 | 12.64% |
| 1998 | $1.29 | -2.73% |
| 1999 | $1.22 | -5.31% |
| 2000 | $1.21 | -0.49% |
| 2001 | $1.16 | -4.72% |
| 2002 | $1.12 | -2.83% |
| 2003 | $1.14 | 1.65% |
| 2004 | $1.15 | 0.27% |
| 2005 | $1.27 | 10.94% |
| 2006 | $1.30 | 2.51% |
| 2007 | $1.38 | 6.27% |
| 2008 | $1.48 | 7.05% |
| 2009 | $1.47 | -0.91% |
| 2010 | $1.47 | 0.05% |
| 2011 | $1.69 | 14.70% |
| 2012 | $1.71 | 1.69% |
| 2013 | $1.61 | -5.85% |
| 2014 | $1.58 | -1.82% |
| 2015 | $1.62 | 2.27% |
| 2016 | $1.57 | -3.03% |
| 2017 | $1.57 | -0.08% |
| 2018 | $1.54 | -2.15% |
| 2019 | $1.52 | -0.84% |
| 2020 | $1.53 | 0.49% |
| 2021 | $1.57 | 2.62% |
| 2022 | $1.80 | 14.36% |
| 2023 | $1.87 | 4.11% |
| 2024 | $1.85 | -1.21%* |
* 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 |
| CPI | 26.623 | 26.485 | 26.854 | 31.715 | 32.623 | 32.100 | 35.715 | 42.554 | 46.392 | 63.754 | 112.923 | 107.200 | 101.815 | 111.608 | 96.185 | 98.500 | 98.815 | 102.708 | 105.462 | 132.692 | 116.177 | 114.962 | 120.408 | 117.485 | 115.254 | 110.738 | 109.777 | 140.431 | 163.131 | 149.162 | 168.015 | 163.431 | 154.754 | 153.992 | 146.731 | 142.585 | 144.931 | 145.323 | 161.223 | 165.277 | 175.647 | 188.027 | 186.317 | 186.418 | 213.824 | 217.441 | 204.712 | 200.984 | 205.540 | 199.307 | 199.156 | 194.876 | 193.237 | 194.177 | 199.263 | 227.887 | 237.245 | 234.383 |