According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for coffee are 799.41% higher in 2023 versus 1968 (a $22.62 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 1968 and 2023: Coffee experienced an average inflation rate of 4.07% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, coffee costing $2.83 in the year 1968 would cost $25.45 in 2023 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 4.02% during this same period, inflation for coffee was higher.
In the year 1968: Pricing changed by -0.52%, which is significantly below the average yearly change for coffee during the 1968-2023 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1968 (4.27%), inflation for coffee was much lower.
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 (2023 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 $2.83 beginning in 1968. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1968 | $2.83 | -0.52% |
| 1969 | $2.87 | 1.39% |
| 1970 | $3.39 | 18.10% |
| 1971 | $3.49 | 2.86% |
| 1972 | $3.43 | -1.60% |
| 1973 | $3.82 | 11.26% |
| 1974 | $4.55 | 19.15% |
| 1975 | $4.96 | 9.02% |
| 1976 | $6.81 | 37.42% |
| 1977 | $12.07 | 77.12% |
| 1978 | $11.45 | -5.07% |
| 1979 | $10.88 | -5.02% |
| 1980 | $11.93 | 9.62% |
| 1981 | $10.28 | -13.82% |
| 1982 | $10.53 | 2.41% |
| 1983 | $10.56 | 0.32% |
| 1984 | $10.97 | 3.94% |
| 1985 | $11.27 | 2.68% |
| 1986 | $14.18 | 25.82% |
| 1987 | $12.41 | -12.45% |
| 1988 | $12.28 | -1.05% |
| 1989 | $12.87 | 4.74% |
| 1990 | $12.55 | -2.43% |
| 1991 | $12.32 | -1.90% |
| 1992 | $11.83 | -3.92% |
| 1993 | $11.73 | -0.87% |
| 1994 | $15.01 | 27.92% |
| 1995 | $17.43 | 16.16% |
| 1996 | $15.94 | -8.56% |
| 1997 | $17.95 | 12.64% |
| 1998 | $17.46 | -2.73% |
| 1999 | $16.54 | -5.31% |
| 2000 | $16.45 | -0.49% |
| 2001 | $15.68 | -4.72% |
| 2002 | $15.24 | -2.83% |
| 2003 | $15.49 | 1.65% |
| 2004 | $15.53 | 0.27% |
| 2005 | $17.23 | 10.94% |
| 2006 | $17.66 | 2.51% |
| 2007 | $18.77 | 6.27% |
| 2008 | $20.09 | 7.05% |
| 2009 | $19.91 | -0.91% |
| 2010 | $19.92 | 0.05% |
| 2011 | $22.85 | 14.70% |
| 2012 | $23.23 | 1.69% |
| 2013 | $21.87 | -5.85% |
| 2014 | $21.48 | -1.82% |
| 2015 | $21.96 | 2.27% |
| 2016 | $21.30 | -3.03% |
| 2017 | $21.28 | -0.08% |
| 2018 | $20.82 | -2.15% |
| 2019 | $20.65 | -0.84% |
| 2020 | $20.75 | 0.49% |
| 2021 | $21.29 | 2.62% |
| 2022 | $24.35 | 14.36% |
| 2023 | $25.45 | 4.53%* |
* 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 |
| 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 | 238.204 |