How much did coffee cost in 1989?
Coffee averaged $3.07 per lb in 1989 — about $8.30 in 2026 dollars.
Monthly average price (USD per lb) · 1989
In 1989, coffee averaged $3.07 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 $2.90 in November to $3.23 in July. Over the year it fell from $2.96 in January to $2.94 in December, a 0.9% decline.
Adjusted for inflation, $3.07 in 1989 is worth about $8.30 in 2026 dollars. Today coffee averages $9.51 per lb, so in real terms it is 15% more expensive than it was in 1989. In plain (unadjusted) dollars the price is up 210% versus the 1989 average.
1989 monthly prices
| Month | Price | MoM |
|---|---|---|
| January | $2.96 | ▲ 1.3% |
| February | $3.05 | ▲ 3.0% |
| March | $3.04 | ▼ 0.4% |
| April | $3.12 | ▲ 2.5% |
| May | $3.16 | ▲ 1.5% |
| June | $3.17 | ▲ 0.1% |
| July | $3.23 | ▲ 1.8% |
| August | $3.17 | ▼ 1.7% |
| September | $3.10 | ▼ 2.3% |
| October | $3.04 | ▼ 1.9% |
| November | $2.90 | ▼ 4.4% |
| December | $2.94 | ▲ 1.2% |
| 1989 average | $3.07 |
FAQ
What was the average price of coffee in 1989?
Coffee averaged $3.07 per lb in 1989, based on 12 months of BLS average price data.
How much is $3.07 of 1989 coffee worth today?
Adjusted for inflation with the CPI-U, $3.07 in 1989 is about $8.30 in 2026 dollars.
How does the 1989 price of coffee compare to now?
Coffee now averages $9.51 per lb, up 210% from the 1989 average of $3.07.