A recent study by Toast, a restaurant point of sale and management system, has revealed the most expensive states in America to purchase a cup of coffee in 2024. The national average for a regular cup of coffee has risen from $2.15 in 2004 to $3.08, marking a 43% increase in 20 years. The study also found that the national average for a regular tea is $3.74, $5.14 for a cold brew, and $5.46 for a latte in 2024.
Hawaii was identified as the most expensive state to purchase coffee, with an average price of $4.98 for a regular cup of java, which is 59% higher than the national average. California follows as the second-most expensive state, with an average cost of $3.88 for a regular cup of coffee, 26% higher than the national average. Washington, Arizona, and Massachusetts round out the top five most expensive states for coffee in 2024.
New York did not make it into the top 10 most expensive states for coffee, with an average cost of $3.24 per cup, ranking it as the 16th most expensive state. Connecticut and New Jersey also have high costs per cup of coffee, averaging at $3.31. On the other end of the spectrum, Nebraska has the lowest cost per cup of coffee in America, with an average of $2.12 for a regular cup of coffee, which is 31% lower than the national average.
Coffee and other caffeinated beverages have seen price increases largely due to erratic weather patterns that have impacted coffee harvests in countries like Vietnam, the second-largest producer and exporter of coffee beans. A months-long drought in Vietnam has affected the harvest of robusta coffee beans, leading to lower production and higher costs for consumers. However, the Consumer Price Index shows that coffee prices in America were actually down about 2.5% in May compared to the same month the previous year.
Overall, coffee prices have been on the rise in the United States, with the average cost for a regular cup of coffee now at $3.08, up from $2.15 in 2004. Hawaii was found to be the most expensive state for coffee, followed by California, Washington, Arizona, and Massachusetts. While prices have been impacted by erratic weather patterns affecting coffee harvests in countries like Vietnam, the Consumer Price Index shows a slight decrease in coffee prices in America. Nebraska was identified as the state with the lowest cost per cup of coffee in the country.
