How much did coffee cost in 1982?
Coffee averaged $2.52 per lb in 1982 — about $8.75 in 2026 dollars.
Monthly average price (USD per lb) · 1982
In 1982, coffee averaged $2.52 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 $2.48 in January to $2.59 in April. Over the year it rose from $2.48 in January to $2.50 in December, a 1.1% increase.
Adjusted for inflation, $2.52 in 1982 is worth about $8.75 in 2026 dollars. Today coffee averages $9.51 per lb, so in real terms it is 9% more expensive than it was in 1982. In plain (unadjusted) dollars the price is up 277% versus the 1982 average.
1982 monthly prices
| Month | Price | MoM |
|---|---|---|
| January | $2.48 | ▲ 0.7% |
| February | $2.55 | ▲ 3.1% |
| March | $2.56 | ▲ 0.5% |
| April | $2.59 | ▲ 0.8% |
| May | $2.57 | ▼ 0.7% |
| June | $2.53 | ▼ 1.6% |
| July | $2.50 | ▼ 1.0% |
| August | $2.52 | ▲ 0.5% |
| September | $2.52 | ▲ 0.1% |
| October | $2.50 | ▼ 0.7% |
| November | $2.48 | ▼ 0.8% |
| December | $2.50 | ▲ 0.8% |
| 1982 average | $2.52 |
FAQ
What was the average price of coffee in 1982?
Coffee averaged $2.52 per lb in 1982, based on 12 months of BLS average price data.
How much is $2.52 of 1982 coffee worth today?
Adjusted for inflation with the CPI-U, $2.52 in 1982 is about $8.75 in 2026 dollars.
How does the 1982 price of coffee compare to now?
Coffee now averages $9.51 per lb, up 277% from the 1982 average of $2.52.