How much did coffee cost in 1980?
Coffee averaged $3.14 per lb in 1980 — about $12.77 in 2026 dollars.
Monthly average price (USD per lb) · 1980
In 1980, coffee averaged $3.14 per lb at the U.S. city average, across all twelve months, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics average price data. The monthly price ranged from $2.82 in December to $3.26 in February. Over the year it fell from $3.21 in January to $2.82 in December, a 12.2% decline.
Adjusted for inflation, $3.14 in 1980 is worth about $12.77 in 2026 dollars. Today coffee averages $9.51 per lb, so in real terms it is 26% cheaper than it was in 1980. In plain (unadjusted) dollars the price is up 203% versus the 1980 average.
1980 monthly prices
| Month | Price | MoM |
|---|---|---|
| January | $3.21 | — |
| February | $3.26 | ▲ 1.6% |
| March | $3.25 | ▼ 0.3% |
| April | $3.21 | ▼ 1.2% |
| May | $3.20 | ▼ 0.3% |
| June | $3.18 | ▼ 0.6% |
| July | $3.23 | ▲ 1.6% |
| August | $3.23 | ▼ 0.1% |
| September | $3.16 | ▼ 2.2% |
| October | $3.05 | ▼ 3.4% |
| November | $2.91 | ▼ 4.6% |
| December | $2.82 | ▼ 3.3% |
| 1980 average | $3.14 |
FAQ
What was the average price of coffee in 1980?
Coffee averaged $3.14 per lb in 1980, based on 12 months of BLS average price data.
How much is $3.14 of 1980 coffee worth today?
Adjusted for inflation with the CPI-U, $3.14 in 1980 is about $12.77 in 2026 dollars.
How does the 1980 price of coffee compare to now?
Coffee now averages $9.51 per lb, up 203% from the 1980 average of $3.14.