How much did coffee cost in 1990?
Coffee averaged $2.97 per lb in 1990 — about $7.62 in 2026 dollars.
Monthly average price (USD per lb) · 1990
In 1990, coffee averaged $2.97 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 $2.89 in April to $3.05 in July. Over the year it rose from $2.92 in January to $2.94 in December, a 0.8% increase.
Adjusted for inflation, $2.97 in 1990 is worth about $7.62 in 2026 dollars. Today coffee averages $9.51 per lb, so in real terms it is 25% more expensive than it was in 1990. In plain (unadjusted) dollars the price is up 220% versus the 1990 average.
1990 monthly prices
| Month | Price | MoM |
|---|---|---|
| January | $2.92 | ▼ 0.7% |
| February | $2.97 | ▲ 1.6% |
| March | $2.89 | ▼ 2.5% |
| April | $2.89 | ▼ 0.2% |
| May | $2.94 | ▲ 1.8% |
| June | $2.98 | ▲ 1.3% |
| July | $3.05 | ▲ 2.6% |
| August | $3.03 | ▼ 0.9% |
| September | $3.03 | ▼ 0.1% |
| October | $3.03 | ▲ 0.2% |
| November | $2.95 | ▼ 2.8% |
| December | $2.94 | ▼ 0.1% |
| 1990 average | $2.97 |
FAQ
What was the average price of coffee in 1990?
Coffee averaged $2.97 per lb in 1990, based on 12 months of BLS average price data.
How much is $2.97 of 1990 coffee worth today?
Adjusted for inflation with the CPI-U, $2.97 in 1990 is about $7.62 in 2026 dollars.
How does the 1990 price of coffee compare to now?
Coffee now averages $9.51 per lb, up 220% from the 1990 average of $2.97.