THE GROCERY PRICE INDEX

How much did coffee cost in 1991?

Coffee averaged $2.81 per lb in 1991 — about $6.91 in 2026 dollars.

Monthly average price (USD per lb) · 1991

$2.60$2.70$2.80$2.90$3.00 $2.63 199119911991199119911991

In 1991, coffee averaged $2.81 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 December to $2.97 in February. Over the year it fell from $2.95 in January to $2.63 in December, a 10.9% decline.

Adjusted for inflation, $2.81 in 1991 is worth about $6.91 in 2026 dollars. Today coffee averages $9.51 per lb, so in real terms it is 38% more expensive than it was in 1991. In plain (unadjusted) dollars the price is up 238% versus the 1991 average.

1991 monthly prices

MonthPriceMoM
January $2.95 ▲ 0.1%
February $2.97 ▲ 0.9%
March $2.89 ▼ 2.6%
April $2.92 ▲ 1.0%
May $2.88 ▼ 1.5%
June $2.87 ▼ 0.5%
July $2.81 ▼ 2.1%
August $2.72 ▼ 2.9%
September $2.69 ▼ 1.2%
October $2.71 ▲ 0.5%
November $2.67 ▼ 1.2%
December $2.63 ▼ 1.8%
1991 average$2.81

FAQ

What was the average price of coffee in 1991?

Coffee averaged $2.81 per lb in 1991, based on 12 months of BLS average price data.

How much is $2.81 of 1991 coffee worth today?

Adjusted for inflation with the CPI-U, $2.81 in 1991 is about $6.91 in 2026 dollars.

How does the 1991 price of coffee compare to now?

Coffee now averages $9.51 per lb, up 238% from the 1991 average of $2.81.