How much did coffee cost in 1996?
Coffee averaged $3.43 per lb in 1996 — about $7.33 in 2026 dollars.
Monthly average price (USD per lb) · 1996
In 1996, coffee averaged $3.43 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 $3.28 in November to $3.59 in February. Over the year it fell from $3.58 in January to $3.31 in December, a 7.5% decline.
Adjusted for inflation, $3.43 in 1996 is worth about $7.33 in 2026 dollars. Today coffee averages $9.51 per lb, so in real terms it is 30% more expensive than it was in 1996. In plain (unadjusted) dollars the price is up 177% versus the 1996 average.
1996 monthly prices
| Month | Price | MoM |
|---|---|---|
| January | $3.58 | ▼ 4.7% |
| February | $3.59 | ▲ 0.4% |
| March | $3.55 | ▼ 1.1% |
| April | $3.53 | ▼ 0.7% |
| May | $3.44 | ▼ 2.4% |
| June | $3.44 | ▼ 0.2% |
| July | $3.38 | ▼ 1.7% |
| August | $3.39 | ▲ 0.3% |
| September | $3.33 | ▼ 1.7% |
| October | $3.34 | ▲ 0.3% |
| November | $3.28 | ▼ 1.8% |
| December | $3.31 | ▲ 0.7% |
| 1996 average | $3.43 |
FAQ
What was the average price of coffee in 1996?
Coffee averaged $3.43 per lb in 1996, based on 12 months of BLS average price data.
How much is $3.43 of 1996 coffee worth today?
Adjusted for inflation with the CPI-U, $3.43 in 1996 is about $7.33 in 2026 dollars.
How does the 1996 price of coffee compare to now?
Coffee now averages $9.51 per lb, up 177% from the 1996 average of $3.43.