How much did coffee cost in 1983?
Coffee averaged $2.47 per lb in 1983 — about $8.31 in 2026 dollars.
Monthly average price (USD per lb) · 1983
In 1983, coffee averaged $2.47 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 $2.43 in October to $2.53 in January. Over the year it fell from $2.53 in January to $2.44 in December, a 3.6% decline.
Adjusted for inflation, $2.47 in 1983 is worth about $8.31 in 2026 dollars. Today coffee averages $9.51 per lb, so in real terms it is 14% more expensive than it was in 1983. In plain (unadjusted) dollars the price is up 285% versus the 1983 average.
1983 monthly prices
| Month | Price | MoM |
|---|---|---|
| January | $2.53 | ▲ 1.1% |
| February | $2.52 | ▼ 0.4% |
| March | $2.48 | ▼ 1.6% |
| April | $2.47 | ▼ 0.5% |
| May | $2.46 | ▼ 0.3% |
| June | $2.47 | ▲ 0.5% |
| July | $2.45 | ▼ 0.7% |
| August | $2.45 | ▼ 0.1% |
| September | $2.44 | ▼ 0.5% |
| October | $2.43 | ▼ 0.3% |
| November | $2.45 | ▲ 0.9% |
| December | $2.44 | ▼ 0.7% |
| 1983 average | $2.47 |
FAQ
What was the average price of coffee in 1983?
Coffee averaged $2.47 per lb in 1983, based on 12 months of BLS average price data.
How much is $2.47 of 1983 coffee worth today?
Adjusted for inflation with the CPI-U, $2.47 in 1983 is about $8.31 in 2026 dollars.
How does the 1983 price of coffee compare to now?
Coffee now averages $9.51 per lb, up 285% from the 1983 average of $2.47.