How much did coffee cost in 1987?
Coffee averaged $2.79 per lb in 1987 — about $8.23 in 2026 dollars.
Monthly average price (USD per lb) · 1987
In 1987, coffee averaged $2.79 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 $2.55 in December to $3.19 in January. Over the year it fell from $3.19 in January to $2.55 in December, a 20.0% decline.
Adjusted for inflation, $2.79 in 1987 is worth about $8.23 in 2026 dollars. Today coffee averages $9.51 per lb, so in real terms it is 16% more expensive than it was in 1987. In plain (unadjusted) dollars the price is up 241% versus the 1987 average.
1987 monthly prices
| Month | Price | MoM |
|---|---|---|
| January | $3.19 | ▼ 1.7% |
| February | $3.09 | ▼ 3.3% |
| March | $2.96 | ▼ 4.1% |
| April | $2.87 | ▼ 3.2% |
| May | $2.78 | ▼ 3.1% |
| June | $2.74 | ▼ 1.4% |
| July | $2.71 | ▼ 1.0% |
| August | $2.64 | ▼ 2.7% |
| September | $2.65 | ▲ 0.7% |
| October | $2.67 | ▲ 0.6% |
| November | $2.58 | ▼ 3.3% |
| December | $2.55 | ▼ 1.1% |
| 1987 average | $2.79 |
FAQ
What was the average price of coffee in 1987?
Coffee averaged $2.79 per lb in 1987, based on 12 months of BLS average price data.
How much is $2.79 of 1987 coffee worth today?
Adjusted for inflation with the CPI-U, $2.79 in 1987 is about $8.23 in 2026 dollars.
How does the 1987 price of coffee compare to now?
Coffee now averages $9.51 per lb, up 241% from the 1987 average of $2.79.