How much did coffee cost in 1997?
Coffee averaged $4.11 per lb in 1997 — about $8.58 in 2026 dollars.
Monthly average price (USD per lb) · 1997
In 1997, coffee averaged $4.11 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 $3.30 in January to $4.67 in August. Over the year it rose from $3.30 in January to $4.16 in December, a 26.1% increase.
Adjusted for inflation, $4.11 in 1997 is worth about $8.58 in 2026 dollars. Today coffee averages $9.51 per lb, so in real terms it is 11% more expensive than it was in 1997. In plain (unadjusted) dollars the price is up 131% versus the 1997 average.
1997 monthly prices
| Month | Price | MoM |
|---|---|---|
| January | $3.30 | ▼ 0.2% |
| February | $3.32 | ▲ 0.5% |
| March | $3.51 | ▲ 5.9% |
| April | $3.89 | ▲ 10.9% |
| May | $4.11 | ▲ 5.5% |
| June | $4.43 | ▲ 7.8% |
| July | $4.63 | ▲ 4.5% |
| August | $4.67 | ▲ 0.9% |
| September | $4.62 | ▼ 1.1% |
| October | $4.39 | ▼ 4.9% |
| November | $4.30 | ▼ 2.0% |
| December | $4.16 | ▼ 3.3% |
| 1997 average | $4.11 |
FAQ
What was the average price of coffee in 1997?
Coffee averaged $4.11 per lb in 1997, based on 12 months of BLS average price data.
How much is $4.11 of 1997 coffee worth today?
Adjusted for inflation with the CPI-U, $4.11 in 1997 is about $8.58 in 2026 dollars.
How does the 1997 price of coffee compare to now?
Coffee now averages $9.51 per lb, up 131% from the 1997 average of $4.11.