The average cost of a cup of coffee has skyrocketed over the past 20 years, with prices increasing by 43 percent.
Customers who once paid $2.15 for a regular coffee in 2004 now face spending at least $3.08, while cold brews reach $5.14 and lattes cost $5.46.
The most expensive state in the US is Hawaii, where the typical cost of a regular mix is set at a hefty $4.98, about 59 percent above the national average, according to research by Toast.
Incredibly, New York City has been rated as a relatively cheap place to grab one to go: the most common price for a standard coffee is $3.24.
California is the second most expensive state, where a regular coffee costs $3.88, 26 percent more than the national average. Californians also pay $4.72 for tea, $6.19 for cold brew and $5.84 for a latte on average.
The average cost of a cup of coffee has increased 43 percent over the past 20 years, with prices rising from $2.15 in 2004 to $3.08 today.
The most expensive place to get a cup of coffee in the U.S. is the island state of Hawaii, where the average cost is $4.98, about 59 percent above the national average.
Washington state comes in third with a regular coffee priced at $3.69, 19 percent higher than the national average.
Arizona ranks fourth where the average coffee price is $3.51, about 14 percent higher than the national average.
Massachusetts also ranks highly, with an average coffee price of $3.49, beating the national average by 13 percent. Tea in Massachusetts costs $3.91, cold brew $4.97, and latte $5.35.
Colorado is sixth on the list with an average price of $3.43, while neighboring Utah isn’t much behind with an average cost of $3.40 a cup.
In Florida, the average cost of coffee is $3.38, while in the Northeast the average price a caffeine drinker in Vermont will pay is $3.32.
At the other end of the scale, the state with the lowest average coffee price is Nebraska, at $2.12, about 31 percent below the national average.
Connecticut, New Jersey and New Mexico round out the top ten, averaging $3.31 per cup.
At the other end of the scale, the state with the lowest average coffee price is Nebraska, at $2.12, about 31 percent below the national average.
Other states with lower coffee prices include Montana, Kansas, North Dakota and West Virginia, with averages ranging from $2.56 to $2.65.
The rise in coffee prices is mainly due to erratic weather patterns affecting coffee crops in major producing countries such as Vietnam, the second largest exporter of coffee beans after Brazil.
Despite the long-term rise in coffee prices, Consumer Price Index data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics revealed that U.S. coffee prices have fallen about 2.5 percent in comparison with the same period last May.
A prolonged drought in Vietnam has significantly affected the Robusta coffee bean crop, crucial for espresso and instant coffee.
Since the 2023-2024 harvest in October, Vietnamese farmers have been short 150,000-200,000 tons of contracted beans.
The deficit has caused prices to rise for consumers as supply struggles to meet demand.
Despite the long-term rise in coffee prices, Consumer Price Index data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics revealed that U.S. coffee prices have fallen about 2.5 percent in comparison with the same period last May.
