Feel Like You’re Spending More on Coffee Than Ever? You Are.

10

Coffee prices across the United States have increased by approximately 23% from 2021 to 2024, a significant side effect of inflation. The average cost of a coffee at a major chain now costs $4.76, compared to $3.97 three years ago. However, not all cities or coffees have been equally affected. The Independent reviewed menu coffee prices from some of the biggest chains in some of the country’s biggest cities, studying the price of a latte, a cold brew, and a regular black coffee at Starbucks, Dunkin’, Peet’s, and Blue Bottle over the last three years in the downtown areas of New York, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, and Houston.

Cold brews will now cost $4.41 on average, with New Yorkers and Bostonians buying a cold brew from Blue Bottle paying $2.25 more than they did three years ago. The fan-favorite coffee beverage in those two cities saw the most noticeable cost increase compared to black coffee or lattes in other cities. On average, the price of a cold brew increased by $1.24, with Dunkin’ and Blue Bottle seeing the most dramatic price rises.

Lattes have seen the most significant price increase over the last three years, with the classic frothy milk and espresso combination now costing $5.50 on average. However, the average prices have fluctuated heavily over the last three years. Most lattes went down in price by $0.14 in 2022, but the following year, they went back up by $0.46. So far, between 2024 and 2023, lattes have gone up more than $0.60, nearly 15%.

Dunkin’ has increased its latte price more dramatically than any other coffee company The Independent surveyed. In New York and Boston, a latte from Dunkin’ will cost you more than 50% more than it did three years ago. In Chicago, it’s 44 per cent more, and in Houston, it’s 32 per cent more. Bostonians, famously lovers of Dunkin’, showed that loyalty costs money, with the chain consistently increasing its prices there more than the other surveyed cities.

Black coffees had the most dramatic percentage increase over the last three years, with coffees that once cost $2 to $3 in every city now hovering around $3.50 to $4. A cup now costs $3.71 on average. The regular ol’ cup of joe went up $0.25 from 2021, a staggering 26.4% increase. The reason for this difference was most notable between 2023 and 2022 when the average cup of black coffee increased 8.87 per cent, or $0.29.

While no city was completely immune from inflation, Houston saw the least dramatic price increases. Inflation in the United States peaked during the second half of 2022, and coffee prices reflected that.

Read More @ The Independent

Source: Coffee Talk

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Accept Read More

Privacy & Cookies Policy