How much did coffee cost in 1988?
Coffee averaged $2.77 per lb in 1988 — about $7.85 in 2026 dollars.
Monthly average price (USD per lb) · 1988
In 1988, coffee averaged $2.77 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 $2.63 in March to $2.93 in December. Over the year it rose from $2.64 in January to $2.93 in December, a 11.0% increase.
Adjusted for inflation, $2.77 in 1988 is worth about $7.85 in 2026 dollars. Today coffee averages $9.51 per lb, so in real terms it is 21% more expensive than it was in 1988. In plain (unadjusted) dollars the price is up 243% versus the 1988 average.
1988 monthly prices
| Month | Price | MoM |
|---|---|---|
| January | $2.64 | ▲ 3.2% |
| February | $2.67 | ▲ 1.1% |
| March | $2.63 | ▼ 1.2% |
| April | $2.70 | ▲ 2.5% |
| May | $2.73 | ▲ 1.1% |
| June | $2.74 | ▲ 0.2% |
| July | $2.78 | ▲ 1.8% |
| August | $2.83 | ▲ 1.8% |
| September | $2.84 | ▲ 0.2% |
| October | $2.86 | ▲ 0.5% |
| November | $2.89 | ▲ 1.3% |
| December | $2.93 | ▲ 1.1% |
| 1988 average | $2.77 |
FAQ
What was the average price of coffee in 1988?
Coffee averaged $2.77 per lb in 1988, based on 12 months of BLS average price data.
How much is $2.77 of 1988 coffee worth today?
Adjusted for inflation with the CPI-U, $2.77 in 1988 is about $7.85 in 2026 dollars.
How does the 1988 price of coffee compare to now?
Coffee now averages $9.51 per lb, up 243% from the 1988 average of $2.77.