How much did coffee cost in 1986?
Coffee averaged $3.43 per lb in 1986 — about $10.49 in 2026 dollars.
Monthly average price (USD per lb) · 1986
In 1986, coffee averaged $3.43 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 $2.74 in January to $3.74 in March. Over the year it rose from $2.74 in January to $3.25 in December, a 18.6% increase.
Adjusted for inflation, $3.43 in 1986 is worth about $10.49 in 2026 dollars. Today coffee averages $9.51 per lb, so in real terms it is 9% cheaper than it was in 1986. In plain (unadjusted) dollars the price is up 177% versus the 1986 average.
1986 monthly prices
| Month | Price | MoM |
|---|---|---|
| January | $2.74 | ▲ 9.3% |
| February | $3.55 | ▲ 29.9% |
| March | $3.74 | ▲ 5.2% |
| April | $3.71 | ▼ 0.9% |
| May | $3.66 | ▼ 1.4% |
| June | $3.65 | ▼ 0.3% |
| July | $3.59 | ▼ 1.4% |
| August | $3.46 | ▼ 3.7% |
| September | $3.32 | ▼ 4.3% |
| October | $3.27 | ▼ 1.4% |
| November | $3.27 | ▼ 0.0% |
| December | $3.25 | ▼ 0.6% |
| 1986 average | $3.43 |
FAQ
What was the average price of coffee in 1986?
Coffee averaged $3.43 per lb in 1986, based on 12 months of BLS average price data.
How much is $3.43 of 1986 coffee worth today?
Adjusted for inflation with the CPI-U, $3.43 in 1986 is about $10.49 in 2026 dollars.
How does the 1986 price of coffee compare to now?
Coffee now averages $9.51 per lb, up 177% from the 1986 average of $3.43.