Starbucks' Price Disparities Across The US – CoffeeTalk

The affordability of Starbucks coffee across the United States is a topic of interest for many, as it provides insight into broader economic patterns. A study by TradingPedia analyzed the prices of three of Starbucks’ most popular drinks, the Americano, Caffè Latte, and Iced Latte, across all 50 U.S. states. The analysis calculated the number of minutes a person needs to work in each state to afford each coffee beverage, transforming a familiar part of daily life into a revealing measure of regional purchasing power.

The most expensive Starbucks coffee drinks can be found in Honolulu, Hawaii, where customers pay $5.45 for an Americano and $6.25 for Caffè Latte or Iced Latte. The least expensive Starbucks coffee drinks are located in Jefferson City, Missouri, where an Americano costs $4.25, a Caffè Latte is priced at $4.95, and for an Iced Latte, one has to pay $5.15.

Jackson, Mississippi has the highest average time to work for a cup of coffee, with citizens working the most for a cup of coffee – 10 minutes for an Americano and over 12 minutes for an Iced Latte or Caffè Latte. In contrast, Boston, Massachusetts offers the most affordable drinks, with an Americano costing just 6 minutes and 17 seconds worth of labor, whereas Caffè Latte and Iced Latte will cost 6 minutes and 59 seconds and 7 minutes and 25 seconds, respectively.

While the national average time to afford a Starbucks Caffè Latte is 9 minutes and 44 seconds, only 26 of 51 capitals fall below this line, revealing that for most Americans, coffee affordability remains tied more to their city’s wage structure than the menu price. In Boston, Massachusetts, the average monthly salary can buy over 1,287 cups of Starbucks Americano, while Santa Fe, New Mexico, ranks lowest in coffee-purchasing power, with residents able to afford just 821 cups per month.

On a national level, the average amount of time an American worker needs to spend working to afford a Starbucks coffee remains under ten minutes for each of the three drinks analysed. An Americano requires the least amount of time, with an average of 8 minutes and 21 seconds of work needed to cover its cost. The Caffè Latte follows, taking about 9 minutes and 24 seconds, while the Iced Latte is the most time-consuming to afford, requiring 9 minutes and 52 seconds of labor.

The affordability of popular Starbucks beverages across the United States is a complex issue, with regional trends showing a clear pattern. The South ranks as the least affordable region, with the highest average work times for Americanos, Caffè Latte, and Iced Latte. In contrast, the Northeast consistently shows the greatest affordability, requiring only 8 minutes and 14 seconds of work for an Americano, 9 minutes and 16 seconds for a Caffè Latte, and 9 minutes and 27 seconds for an Iced Latte.

The top five least affordable state capitals to buy an Americano reveal a strong presence of Southern capitals. At the top of the list is Jackson, Mississippi, where it takes 10 minutes and 5 seconds of work on average to afford the drink. It is followed by Baton Rouge, Louisiana, at 9 minutes and 46 seconds, Santa Fe, Mexico, at 9 minutes and 46 seconds, and Charleston, West Virginia, at 9 minutes and 32 seconds. Last place in the top five least affordable capitals is taken by Frankfort, Kentucky, where Americano costs 9 minutes and 26 seconds of labor.

When it comes to the Caffè Latte and Iced Latte, the least affordable city is Jackson, Mississippi, where workers need to dedicate 12 minutes and 38 seconds of labor to afford a cup. This is followed by Baton Rouge, Louisiana, at 12 minutes and 14 seconds, Frankfort, Kentucky at 11 minutes and 50 seconds, Des Moines, Iowa at 11 minutes and 32 seconds, and Cheyenne, Wyoming, at 11 minutes and 8 seconds.

The Northeastern and Midwestern regions predominate as the most affordable states to buy an Americano with relatively low prices and decent wages combined to offer strong value. Boston, Massachusetts, stands out as the most affordable, with just 6 minutes and 17 seconds of work needed to afford the drink. It’s followed by Albany, New York at 6 minutes and 49 seconds, Sacramento, California at 6 minutes and 58 seconds, Olympia, Washington at 7 minutes and 22 seconds, and St. Paul, Minnesota at 7 minutes and 22 seconds.

In the case of the Caffè Latte, Boston again leads the list, with only 7 minutes and 25 seconds of labor required, making it the most affordable city for this drink as well. Albany, New York follows at 7 minutes and 40 seconds, then Olympia, Washington at 7 minutes and 49 seconds, Sacramento, California at 8 minutes and 8 seconds, and Annapolis, Maryland at 8 minutes and 29 seconds.

The most affordable Iced Latte is found in Olympia, Washington, at just 7 minutes and 58 seconds of work. Boston remains near the top at 8 minutes and 7 seconds, followed by Albany, New York, Sacramento, California, and Denver, Colorado, at 8 minutes and 49 seconds. These cities offer a clear contrast to the least affordable locations, emphasizing how regional wage differences and pricing strategies intersect to make certain areas much more budget-friendly for coffee lovers.

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