How much did coffee cost in 1981?
Coffee averaged $2.53 per lb in 1981 — about $9.32 in 2026 dollars.
Monthly average price (USD per lb) · 1981
In 1981, coffee averaged $2.53 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 $2.41 in November to $2.78 in January. Over the year it fell from $2.78 in January to $2.46 in December, a 11.5% decline.
Adjusted for inflation, $2.53 in 1981 is worth about $9.32 in 2026 dollars. Today coffee averages $9.51 per lb, so in real terms it is 2% more expensive than it was in 1981. In plain (unadjusted) dollars the price is up 276% versus the 1981 average.
1981 monthly prices
| Month | Price | MoM |
|---|---|---|
| January | $2.78 | ▼ 1.4% |
| February | $2.60 | ▼ 6.5% |
| March | $2.56 | ▼ 1.5% |
| April | $2.56 | ▲ 0.2% |
| May | $2.54 | ▼ 0.9% |
| June | $2.52 | ▼ 0.8% |
| July | $2.51 | ▼ 0.2% |
| August | $2.49 | ▼ 0.8% |
| September | $2.46 | ▼ 1.3% |
| October | $2.45 | ▼ 0.4% |
| November | $2.41 | ▼ 1.8% |
| December | $2.46 | ▲ 2.0% |
| 1981 average | $2.53 |
FAQ
What was the average price of coffee in 1981?
Coffee averaged $2.53 per lb in 1981, based on 12 months of BLS average price data.
How much is $2.53 of 1981 coffee worth today?
Adjusted for inflation with the CPI-U, $2.53 in 1981 is about $9.32 in 2026 dollars.
How does the 1981 price of coffee compare to now?
Coffee now averages $9.51 per lb, up 276% from the 1981 average of $2.53.