How much did coffee cost in 1985?
Coffee averaged $2.58 per lb in 1985 — about $8.04 in 2026 dollars.
Monthly average price (USD per lb) · 1985
In 1985, coffee averaged $2.58 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 $2.51 in December to $2.62 in March. Over the year it fell from $2.59 in January to $2.51 in December, a 3.1% decline.
Adjusted for inflation, $2.58 in 1985 is worth about $8.04 in 2026 dollars. Today coffee averages $9.51 per lb, so in real terms it is 18% more expensive than it was in 1985. In plain (unadjusted) dollars the price is up 269% versus the 1985 average.
1985 monthly prices
| Month | Price | MoM |
|---|---|---|
| January | $2.59 | ▼ 0.3% |
| February | $2.59 | ▲ 0.3% |
| March | $2.62 | ▲ 1.0% |
| April | $2.60 | ▼ 0.7% |
| May | $2.61 | ▲ 0.1% |
| June | $2.61 | ▲ 0.3% |
| July | $2.59 | ▼ 0.9% |
| August | $2.56 | ▼ 1.0% |
| September | $2.56 | ▼ 0.0% |
| October | $2.57 | ▲ 0.4% |
| November | $2.55 | ▼ 0.9% |
| December | $2.51 | ▼ 1.7% |
| 1985 average | $2.58 |
FAQ
What was the average price of coffee in 1985?
Coffee averaged $2.58 per lb in 1985, based on 12 months of BLS average price data.
How much is $2.58 of 1985 coffee worth today?
Adjusted for inflation with the CPI-U, $2.58 in 1985 is about $8.04 in 2026 dollars.
How does the 1985 price of coffee compare to now?
Coffee now averages $9.51 per lb, up 269% from the 1985 average of $2.58.