We can all agree on the fact that coffee prices haven't been going down lately. Indeed, like everything else, it feels like that daily caffeinated treat just keeps getting more expensive. There are plenty of factors at play here, including coffee harvests, labor supply and energy costs. And don't go blaming coffee shops – they have to pass on rising overheads to customers just to stay afloat.
We can all agree on the fact that coffee prices haven’t been going down lately. Indeed, like everything else, it feels like that daily caffeinated treat just keeps getting more expensive. There are plenty of factors at play here, including coffee harvests, labor supply and energy costs. And don’t go blaming coffee shops – they have to pass on rising overheads to customers just to stay afloat.
But have you ever wondered just how much of your working time it takes just to get your daily fix? Our study explores how much time Americans in each state need to work to afford a daily cup of joe. We compared the cost of a regular cup of coffee in an independent shop and a Starbucks coffee to each state’s average hourly wage. So brace yourself, because what we found might just make you switch to tea!
Table of Contents
- Key Findings
- Regular Coffee Affordability Map
- Regular Coffee Affordability List
- AffordabilityHawaii’s Sky-High Coffee PricesThe Livin’ Is Easy in America’s HeartlandSpare a Thought for the Desert DwellersMoney Can’t Buy You Coffee Love
- Starbucks Coffee Affordability Map
- Starbucks Coffee Affordability List
- AffordabilityStarbucks In ArkansasStarbucks Is Expensive But They Don’t Care in D.C.Hawaii’s Silver Lining
- Methodology and Sources
Key Findings
Hawaii is, by far, the state with the most expensive regular coffee. Although the state has a relatively high average hourly wage, Hawaiians work longer than anyone else for a cup of coffee.
A cup of regular coffee is most affordable in Nebraska, costing $2.12. The state has an average hourly wage of $32.82, meaning it takes less than four minutes for Cornhuskers to work for that cup of joe.
Washington is the state with the second most expensive cup of regular coffee. However, its average hourly wage is high enough to offset the extra cost, making regular coffee in the state surprisingly affordable.
Arkansas has one of the most expensive cups of Starbucks coffee in the Union. And while it doesn’t have the lowest average hourly wage, folks still have to put in more minutes than anyone else to afford it.
Conversely, the District of Columbia has the most affordable Starbucks coffee even though it ranks second in terms of the cost of a cup. That’s because it has, by far, the highest average hourly wage.
Working time for coffee varies by over four minutes between the most affordable state (Nebraska: 3.88 minutes) and least affordable state (Hawaii: 7.89 minutes).
Despite having the highest average hourly earnings ($42.65), Massachusetts still requires 4.91 minutes of work to afford coffee due to its relatively high coffee price.
Regular Coffee Affordability Map
Regular Coffee Affordability List
| State | Price of Coffee | Average hourly earnings | Affordability | Minutes to Work |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $4.98 | $37.88 | 13.15% | 7.89 |
| New Mexico | $3.31 | $29.10 | 11.37% | 6.82 |
| Louisiana | $3.26 | $29.78 | 10.95% | 6.57 |
| Arizona | $3.51 | $34.35 | 10.22% | 6.13 |
| Nevada | $3.23 | $31.71 | 10.19% | 6.11 |
| Kentucky | $3.03 | $29.90 | 10.13% | 6.08 |
| South Carolina | $3.17 | $31.95 | 9.92% | 5.95 |
| Florida | $3.38 | $34.20 | 9.88% | 5.93 |
| Mississippi | $2.77 | $28.24 | 9.81% | 5.89 |
| Utah | $3.40 | $35.04 | 9.70% | 5.82 |
| California | $3.88 | $40.97 | 9.47% | 5.68 |
| Vermont | $3.32 | $35.10 | 9.46% | 5.68 |
| Arkansas | $2.86 | $30.25 | 9.45% | 5.67 |
| Tennessee | $2.91 | $31.02 | 9.38% | 5.63 |
| Maine | $3.08 | $32.84 | 9.38% | 5.63 |
| Oklahoma | $2.90 | $30.93 | 9.38% | 5.63 |
| Wyoming | $2.89 | $31.60 | 9.15% | 5.49 |
| Alabama | $2.86 | $31.47 | 9.09% | 5.45 |
| Delaware | $2.97 | $32.74 | 9.07% | 5.44 |
| Maryland | $3.25 | $35.90 | 9.05% | 5.43 |
| Pennsylvania | $2.94 | $32.49 | 9.05% | 5.43 |
| West Virginia | $2.65 | $29.47 | 8.99% | 5.40 |
| Iowa | $2.70 | $30.64 | 8.81% | 5.29 |
| Georgia | $3.02 | $34.39 | 8.78% | 5.27 |
| Alaska | $3.27 | $37.30 | 8.77% | 5.26 |
| New Hampshire | $3.13 | $35.72 | 8.76% | 5.26 |
| Washington | $3.69 | $42.17 | 8.75% | 5.25 |
| North Carolina | $2.94 | $33.60 | 8.75% | 5.25 |
| Illinois | $3.07 | $35.13 | 8.74% | 5.24 |
| Missouri | $2.88 | $33.08 | 8.71% | 5.22 |
| Idaho | $2.94 | $33.86 | 8.68% | 5.21 |
| Oregon | $3.21 | $37.03 | 8.67% | 5.20 |
| Texas | $2.99 | $34.55 | 8.65% | 5.19 |
| New Jersey | $3.31 | $38.36 | 8.63% | 5.18 |
| Rhode Island | $3.13 | $36.43 | 8.59% | 5.16 |
| Colorado | $3.43 | $40.31 | 8.51% | 5.11 |
| Michigan | $2.83 | $33.26 | 8.51% | 5.11 |
| Virginia | $3.08 | $36.26 | 8.49% | 5.10 |
| Indiana | $2.78 | $32.73 | 8.49% | 5.10 |
| South Dakota | $2.66 | $31.40 | 8.47% | 5.08 |
| Connecticut | $3.31 | $39.14 | 8.46% | 5.07 |
| Ohio | $2.79 | $33.28 | 8.38% | 5.03 |
| New York | $3.24 | $38.76 | 8.36% | 5.02 |
| Kansas | $2.59 | $31.62 | 8.19% | 4.91 |
| Massachusetts | $3.49 | $42.65 | 8.18% | 4.91 |
| Wisconsin | $2.76 | $34.34 | 8.04% | 4.82 |
| Montana | $2.56 | $32.91 | 7.78% | 4.67 |
| North Dakota | $2.64 | $34.12 | 7.74% | 4.64 |
| Minnesota | $2.89 | $39.01 | 7.41% | 4.45 |
| Nebraska | $2.12 | $32.82 | 6.46% | 3.88 |
Regular Coffee Affordability
For the purposes of our coffee affordability study we took the average price of a regular cup of black coffee in each state. That means coffee from a diner or coffee shop without creamer, flavorings or add-ons. We also excluded specialty coffee and espresso from boutique roasters and third wave cafes. Let’s take a closer look at our most interesting findings when it comes to regular coffee affordability across the country.
Trouble In Paradise: Hawaii’s Sky-High Coffee Prices
It’s to be expected that coffee prices by state will differ somewhat. Still, Hawaii really stands out as the state with the most expensive cup of joe.
On average, it’ll set you back $4.98 for a cup of black coffee, which is over a dollar more than you’ll pay in California. What’s more, Hawaii’s average hourly wage of $37.88 doesn’t offset the high price of coffee. In fact, the cost of a coffee equals over 13% of an hour’s work. In other words, it takes almost eight minutes of work to pony up for a cup.
Another state with expensive regular coffee is Washington. However, thanks to all those tech jobs, workers in this state are among the highest hourly earners in the USA. In fact they only need to put in a 5.25-minute shift to pay for a cup of regular coffee.
The Livin’ Is Easy in America’s Heartland
Our coffee affordability study showed that folks in Midwestern states like Michigan, Ohio and Missouri have got it made. As it happens, these lucky Midwesterners pay substantially less for a cup of regular coffee than those living in other parts of the country. Most notably, a cup of regular coffee costs just 6.46% of the average hourly wage in Nebraska, meaning residents only need to work for 3.9 minutes to afford it.
Elsewhere, Michigan, the US state with the highest consumption of coffee per capita, has an average hourly wage of $33.26. The cost of a cup of regular coffee here is low, but workers must shell out 8.51% of their hourly income or 5.1 minutes of their time for the privilege.
Finally, North Dakotans have it good in terms of coffee cost vs income. Here, the mean hourly income is $34.12, and residents spend just 4.6 minutes working for a cup of black gold.
Spare a Thought for the Desert Dwellers
The southwestern state of New Mexico is famous for its beauty and geographical diversity. However, a cup of coffee here is the second least affordable out of all the states in the USA.
Costing an average of $3.31, a regular coffee in the Land of Enchantment is far from the most expensive. Still, a low average hourly wage of $29.10 means that residents must sacrifice well over 11% of that for a cup of joe.
The situation isn’t much more favorable in neighboring Arizona, where a cup of regular coffee costs 10.22% of the average hourly wage. That equals a whopping 6.1 minutes of work. Perhaps that’s why coffee consumption in the Grand Canyon State is one of the lowest per capita in the country!
Money Can’t Buy You Coffee Love
The US states with the highest average hourly income are Massachusetts, Washington, California and Colorado. Workers in all of these states earn an average hourly rate over $40, with Massachusetts topping out at $42.65.
However, more spending power doesn’t necessarily make a cup of coffee more affordable. For example, Californians have to work for almost six minutes to afford a cup of coffee. For reference, that’s about the same as Arkansas, where the average hourly wage is more than $10 less.
Starbucks Coffee Affordability Map
Starbucks Coffee Affordability List
| State | Price | Average hourly earnings | Affordability | Minutes to Work |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas | $5.24 | $30.25 | 17.32% | 10.39 |
| Mississippi | $4.88 | $28.24 | 17.28% | 10.37 |
| New Mexico | $5.00 | $29.10 | 17.18% | 10.31 |
| Wyoming | $5.32 | $31.60 | 16.84% | 10.10 |
| South Dakota | $5.27 | $31.40 | 16.78% | 10.07 |
| Oklahoma | $5.16 | $30.93 | 16.68% | 10.01 |
| Louisiana | $4.96 | $29.78 | 16.66% | 9.99 |
| West Virginia | $4.87 | $29.47 | 16.53% | 9.92 |
| Vermont | $5.73 | $35.10 | 16.32% | 9.79 |
| Iowa | $5.00 | $30.64 | 16.32% | 9.79 |
| Tennessee | $4.92 | $31.02 | 15.86% | 9.52 |
| Kansas | $4.98 | $31.62 | 15.75% | 9.45 |
| Kentucky | $4.70 | $29.90 | 15.72% | 9.43 |
| Nevada | $4.97 | $31.71 | 15.67% | 9.40 |
| South Carolina | $4.98 | $31.95 | 15.59% | 9.35 |
| Nebraska | $5.07 | $32.82 | 15.45% | 9.27 |
| Pennsylvania | $4.98 | $32.49 | 15.33% | 9.20 |
| Montana | $4.99 | $32.91 | 15.16% | 9.10 |
| Idaho | $5.13 | $33.86 | 15.15% | 9.09 |
| Alabama | $4.75 | $31.47 | 15.09% | 9.06 |
| Missouri | $4.96 | $33.08 | 14.99% | 9.00 |
| Arizona | $5.15 | $34.35 | 14.99% | 9.00 |
| Michigan | $4.95 | $33.26 | 14.88% | 8.93 |
| Florida | $5.06 | $34.20 | 14.80% | 8.88 |
| Wisconsin | $5.07 | $34.34 | 14.76% | 8.86 |
| Indiana | $4.78 | $32.73 | 14.60% | 8.76 |
| North Carolina | $4.83 | $33.60 | 14.38% | 8.63 |
| Ohio | $4.73 | $33.28 | 14.21% | 8.53 |
| Illinois | $4.99 | $35.13 | 14.20% | 8.52 |
| Delaware | $4.64 | $32.74 | 14.17% | 8.50 |
| North Dakota | $4.79 | $34.12 | 14.04% | 8.42 |
| Texas | $4.85 | $34.55 | 14.04% | 8.42 |
| New Hampshire | $4.94 | $35.72 | 13.83% | 8.30 |
| Utah | $4.84 | $35.04 | 13.81% | 8.29 |
| Alaska | $5.12 | $37.30 | 13.73% | 8.24 |
| Georgia | $4.68 | $34.39 | 13.61% | 8.17 |
| Maine | $4.44 | $32.84 | 13.52% | 8.11 |
| New York | $5.22 | $38.76 | 13.47% | 8.08 |
| Oregon | $4.95 | $37.03 | 13.37% | 8.02 |
| Rhode Island | $4.82 | $36.43 | 13.23% | 7.94 |
| Virginia | $4.63 | $36.26 | 12.77% | 7.66 |
| Hawaii | $4.79 | $37.88 | 12.65% | 7.59 |
| Minnesota | $4.93 | $39.01 | 12.64% | 7.58 |
| Maryland | $4.47 | $35.90 | 12.45% | 7.47 |
| New Jersey | $4.77 | $38.36 | 12.43% | 7.46 |
| California | $5.07 | $40.97 | 12.37% | 7.42 |
| Colorado | $4.92 | $40.31 | 12.21% | 7.32 |
| Connecticut | $4.75 | $39.14 | 12.14% | 7.28 |
| Washington | $4.78 | $42.17 | 11.34% | 6.80 |
| Massachusetts | $4.75 | $42.65 | 11.14% | 6.68 |
| District of Columbia | $5.20 | $55.02 | 9.45% | 5.67 |
Starbucks Coffee Affordability
It’s rather surprising how much the price of Starbucks coffee differs from state to state, especially given the fact that Starbucks is a large, multinational corporation. Actually, it just doesn’t seem fair! For our coffee affordability study, we took the price of a cup of black coffee from Starbucks in each state and identified some interesting results.
Starbucks In Arkansas: Only for the Truly Committed
While Arkansas doesn’t have the most expensive Starbucks coffee, it is the state with the least affordable cup. So, send some love to the unfortunate residents of Arkansas, who have to work for well over 10 minutes to pay for a Starbucks black coffee.
Things aren’t much better in Mississippi and New Mexico, where relatively low average wages and pricey Starbucks coffee mean that over 17% of a worker’s hourly wage is required to pay for that Starbucks cup.
Starbucks Is Expensive But They Don’t Care in D.C.
In the nation’s capital, you’ll pay more for a cup of Starbucks coffee than almost anywhere else. However, if you’re living and working there, chances are you won’t notice.
That’s because residents of the District of Columbia earn a much higher average hourly wage than folks in other parts of the country. And thanks to that extra spending power, Starbucks coffee is most affordable in Washington D.C. In fact, it takes a mere 5.67 minutes to work for a cup of Starbucks, which equals 9.45% of the average hourly wage.
To put that in perspective, the next most affordable Starbucks coffee is in Massachusetts, where it takes close to seven minutes of work to be able to afford a cup of Starbucks coffee.
Hawaii’s Silver Lining
As we’ve already seen, paradise isn’t all it’s cracked up to be when it comes to affording a cup of regular coffee. However, things look a lot different when it comes to Starbucks coffee in Hawaii.
As it happens, those employed in the Aloha State still have to spend close to eight minutes working for a cup of Starbucks. However, in comparison, Hawaii has some of the most affordable Starbucks around, outranked by only nine other states.
Conversely, in states like Montana, Nebraska and Wisconsin, Starbucks coffee is much less affordable than regular coffee. For example, in Nebraska, where it takes less than four minutes of work to afford regular coffee, residents must tack on an extra five minutes or so to afford an equivalent Starbucks cup.
Methodology and Sources
For our study we collected the average price of a regular coffee and a Starbucks coffee in each US state. We then used data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to identify average hourly earnings in each state. We refrained from using minimum wage data, seeing as coffee is considered a non-essential purchase.
Assuming the purchase of one cup of coffee per day from a coffee shop, we then calculated how much of an hour’s wage (as a percentage) is required to afford that cup. From there we were able to identify how many minutes a person needs to work to afford a cup of regular coffee or Starbucks coffee.
Sources:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, Toast, PriceList
