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The Best (and Worst) Cities to Buy a Cup of Coffee

The Best (and Worst) Cities to Buy a Cup of Coffee

Coffee is the most popular beverage in the U.S. – more so than bottled water, soda, or beer. Americans drink about 656 million cups a day, according to a new report released by the National Coffee Association. Although the pandemic consigned many people to making coffee at home, out-of-home coffee consumption rates are once again on the rise and may soon reach pre-pandemic levels. (It won’t fight the coronavirus, but here are 18 reasons to drink coffee for your health.)

There are over 37,000 coffee shops in the United States. From the nearest corner Starbucks to the French patisserie, coffee lovers have loads of coffee vendors to choose from; but the price of a cup of coffee can vary widely from shop to shop, and from city to city. (These are the best independent coffee shops in America.)

To determine America’s best (and worst) cities for coffee-lovers, 24/7 Tempo reviewed the report The Best Coffee Cities in America: 2022 Data from Clever Real Estate, a realtor matching service. 

The nation’s 50 most populous metro areas were ranked on criteria including the average reported price of a cappuccino, the number of coffee shops per 100,000 residents, and the price of a daily cappuccino as a percentage of average income. The number of coffee shops per square mile and the Google Trends search volume for several coffee-related terms in each city were also considered. (Population and income data came from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey for 2019.)

The results show that many of the worst cities to buy a cup of coffee are in the South, while the West Coast, Great Lakes, and New England are home to some of the best coffee cities in the nation. Cities on the bottom of the list generally have fewer places to get coffee, and the coffee is more expensive. In the 10 lowest ranked cities, the average cost of buying one cup of coffee every weekday equals 2% or more of the average annual income, as opposed to 1.8% or less in the top 10 best cities to buy a coffee.

Of the best coffee cities, Milwaukee had the cheapest prices (and scored highest overall), Portland (Oregon) had the most coffee shops per capita, and San Francisco had the best prices as compared to annual income.

Source: ABEMOS / iStock via Getty Images

50. Virginia Beach, VA
> Avg. coffee price: $5.39
> Avg. annual coffee cost: $1,401 (2.6% of annual income)
> Coffee shops per capita: 12
> Population: 1,765,031

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

49. Memphis, TN
> Avg. coffee price: $4.69
> Avg. annual coffee cost: $1,219 (2.4% of annual income)
> Coffee shops per capita: 6
> Population: 1,344,910

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

48. Louisville, KY
> Avg. coffee price: $4.83
> Avg. annual coffee cost: $1,256 (2.3% of annual income)
> Coffee shops per capita: 8
> Population: 1,266,389

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

47. Birmingham, AL
> Avg. coffee price: $4.86
> Avg. annual coffee cost: $1,264 (2.3% of annual income)
> Coffee shops per capita: 9
> Population: 1,090,435

Source: f11photo / iStock via Getty Images

46. Las Vegas
> Avg. coffee price: $4.98
> Avg. annual coffee cost: $1,295 (2.5% of annual income)
> Coffee shops per capita: 9
> Population: 2,266,715

Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images

45. Richmond, VA
> Avg. coffee price: $4.94
> Avg. annual coffee cost: $1,284 (2.1% of annual income)
> Coffee shops per capita: 12
> Population: 1,290,866

Source: 4kodiak / E+ via Getty Images

44. Phoenix
> Avg. coffee price: $4.80
> Avg. annual coffee cost: $1,248 (2.4% of annual income)
> Coffee shops per capita: 11
> Population: 4,948,203

Source: f11photo / iStock via Getty Images

43. Nashville, TN
> Avg. coffee price: $5.04
> Avg. annual coffee cost: $1,310 (2.1% of annual income)
> Coffee shops per capita: 13
> Population: 1,933,860

Source: Allen Allnoch / iStock via Getty Images

42. Jacksonville, FL
> Avg. coffee price: $4.62
> Avg. annual coffee cost: $1,201 (2.2% of annual income)
> Coffee shops per capita: 10
> Population: 1,559,514

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

41. St. Louis
> Avg. coffee price: $4.69
> Avg. annual coffee cost: $1,219 (2% of annual income)
> Coffee shops per capita: 8
> Population: 2,801,423

Source: f11photo / iStock via Getty Images

40. Dallas
> Avg. coffee price: $4.77
> Avg. annual coffee cost: $1,240 (2% of annual income)
> Coffee shops per capita: 9
> Population: 7,573,136

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

39. Detroit
> Avg. coffee price: $4.75
> Avg. annual coffee cost: $1,235 (2.1% of annual income)
> Coffee shops per capita: 11
> Population: 4,319,629

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

38. Atlanta
> Avg. coffee price: $4.59
> Avg. annual coffee cost: $1,193 (2% of annual income)
> Coffee shops per capita: 8
> Population: 6,018,744

Source: Javier_Art_Photography / iStock via Getty Images

37. Orlando, FL
> Avg. coffee price: $4.59
> Avg. annual coffee cost: $1,193 (2.5% of annual income)
> Coffee shops per capita: 11
> Population: 2,608,147

Source: Myles Gelbach / iStock via Getty Images

36. Charlotte, NC
> Avg. coffee price: $4.48
> Avg. annual coffee cost: $1,165 (2.1% of annual income)
> Coffee shops per capita: 9
> Population: 2,636,883

Source: strickke / E+ via Getty Images

35. Salt Lake City
> Avg. coffee price: $4.65
> Avg. annual coffee cost: $1,209 (2.1% of annual income)
> Coffee shops per capita: 16
> Population: 1,232,696

Source: TriggerPhoto / iStock via Getty Images

34. Kansas City, MO
> Avg. coffee price: $4.52
> Avg. annual coffee cost: $1,175 (2% of annual income)
> Coffee shops per capita: 10
> Population: 2,155,068

Source: Matt Anderson / iStock via Getty Images

33. Washington, D.C.
> Avg. coffee price: $4.78
> Avg. annual coffee cost: $1,243 (1.6% of annual income)
> Coffee shops per capita: 13
> Population: 6,280,697

Source: Art Wager / E+ via Getty Images

32. Miami
> Avg. coffee price: $4.59
> Avg. annual coffee cost: $1,193 (1.9% of annual income)
> Coffee shops per capita: 12
> Population: 6,166,488

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images

31. San Antonio
> Avg. coffee price: $4.17
> Avg. annual coffee cost: $1,084 (2.2% of annual income)
> Coffee shops per capita: 8
> Population: 2,550,960

Source: Manny Chavez / iStock via Getty Images

30. Sacramento, CA
> Avg. coffee price: $4.51
> Avg. annual coffee cost: $1,173 (1.9% of annual income)
> Coffee shops per capita: 15
> Population: 2,363,730

Source: Mlenny / E+ via Getty Images

29. Raleigh, NC
> Avg. coffee price: $4.29
> Avg. annual coffee cost: $1,115 (1.8% of annual income)
> Coffee shops per capita: 9
> Population: 1,390,785

Source: RoschetzkyIstockPhoto / iStock via Getty Images

28. Austin, TX
> Avg. coffee price: $4.56
> Avg. annual coffee cost: $1,186 (1.8% of annual income)
> Coffee shops per capita: 10
> Population: 2,227,083

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images

27. Tampa, FL
> Avg. coffee price: $4.36
> Avg. annual coffee cost: $1,134 (2.2% of annual income)
> Coffee shops per capita: 14
> Population: 3,194,831

Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images

26. New Orleans
> Avg. coffee price: $4.32
> Avg. annual coffee cost: $1,123 (1.9% of annual income)
> Coffee shops per capita: 14
> Population: 1,270,530

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

25. Denver
> Avg. coffee price: $4.70
> Avg. annual coffee cost: $1,222 (1.8% of annual income)
> Coffee shops per capita: 16
> Population: 2,967,239

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

24. Baltimore
> Avg. coffee price: $4.11
> Avg. annual coffee cost: $1,069 (1.6% of annual income)
> Coffee shops per capita: 11
> Population: 2,800,053

Source: Art Wager / iStock via Getty Images

23. Houston
> Avg. coffee price: $4.03
> Avg. annual coffee cost: $1,048 (1.7% of annual income)
> Coffee shops per capita: 10
> Population: 7,066,140

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

22. Oklahoma City
> Avg. coffee price: $3.94
> Avg. annual coffee cost: $1,024 (1.9% of annual income)
> Coffee shops per capita: 10
> Population: 1,408,950

Source: Davel5957 / E+ via Getty Images

21. Minneapolis
> Avg. coffee price: $4.50
> Avg. annual coffee cost: $1,170 (1.7% of annual income)
> Coffee shops per capita: 15
> Population: 3,640,043

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

20. Cleveland
> Avg. coffee price: $4.23
> Avg. annual coffee cost: $1,100 (1.9% of annual income)
> Coffee shops per capita: 13
> Population: 2,048,449

Source: Ron and Patty Thomas / E+ via Getty Images

19. Los Angeles
> Avg. coffee price: $4.78
> Avg. annual coffee cost: $1,243 (1.8% of annual income)
> Coffee shops per capita: 14
> Population: 13,214,799

Source: traveler1116 / E+ via Getty Images

18. Columbus, OH
> Avg. coffee price: $4.09
> Avg. annual coffee cost: $1,063 (1.9% of annual income)
> Coffee shops per capita: 13
> Population: 2,122,271

Source: TomasSereda / iStock via Getty Images

17. New York City
> Avg. coffee price: $4.96
> Avg. annual coffee cost: $1,290 (1.6% of annual income)
> Coffee shops per capita: 16
> Population: 19,216,182

Source: Gian Lorenzo Ferretti Photography / E+ via Getty Images

16. Chicago
> Avg. coffee price: $4.25
> Avg. annual coffee cost: $1,105 (1.6% of annual income)
> Coffee shops per capita: 13
> Population: 9,457,867

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

15. Indianapolis
> Avg. coffee price: $3.80
> Avg. annual coffee cost: $988 (1.6% of annual income)
> Coffee shops per capita: 8
> Population: 2,076,531

Source: GerardoBrucker / iStock via Getty Images

14. San Jose, CA
> Avg. coffee price: $4.65
> Avg. annual coffee cost: $1,227 (1.1% of annual income)
> Coffee shops per capita: 16
> Population: 1,990,660

Source: gangliu10 / iStock via Getty Images

13. Philadelphia
> Avg. coffee price: $4.38
> Avg. annual coffee cost: $1,139 (1.6% of annual income)
> Coffee shops per capita: 16
> Population: 6,102,434

Source: f11photo / iStock via Getty Images

12. San Diego
> Avg. coffee price: $4.46
> Avg. annual coffee cost: $1,160 (1.7% of annual income)
> Coffee shops per capita: 15
> Population: 3,338,330

Source: kenlund / Flickr

11. Riverside, CA
> Avg. coffee price: $3.79
> Avg. annual coffee cost: $985 (2.2% of annual income)
> Coffee shops per capita: 9
> Population: 4,650,631

Source: DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images

10. Hartford, CT
> Avg. coffee price: $4.50
> Avg. annual coffee cost: $1,170 (1.7% of annual income)
> Coffee shops per capita: 21
> Population: 1,204,877

Source: dibrova / iStock via Getty Images

9. Seattle
> Avg. coffee price: $5.06
> Avg. annual coffee cost: $1,316 (1.6% of annual income)
> Coffee shops per capita: 27
> Population: 3,979,845

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

8. Pittsburgh
> Avg. coffee price: $3.96
> Avg. annual coffee cost: $1,030 (1.6% of annual income)
> Coffee shops per capita: 16
> Population: 2,317,600

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

7. Cincinnati
> Avg. coffee price: $3.72
> Avg. annual coffee cost: $967 (1.6% of annual income)
> Coffee shops per capita: 11
> Population: 2,219,750

Source: Vladone / iStock via Getty Images

6. Boston
> Avg. coffee price: $4.56
> Avg. annual coffee cost: $1,186 (1.4% of annual income)
> Coffee shops per capita: 22
> Population: 4,873,019

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images

5. Providence, RI
> Avg. coffee price: $4.12
> Avg. annual coffee cost: $1,071 (1.8% of annual income)
> Coffee shops per capita: 23
> Population: 1,624,578

Source: Davel5957 / iStock via Getty Images

4. Buffalo, NY
> Avg. coffee price: $3.67
> Avg. annual coffee cost: $954 (1.7% of annual income)
> Coffee shops per capita: 20
> Population: 1,127,983

Source: georgeclerk / E+ via Getty Images

3. San Francisco
> Avg. coffee price: $4.72
> Avg. annual coffee cost: $1,209 (1% of annual income)
> Coffee shops per capita: 23
> Population: 4,731,803

Source: 4nadia / iStock via Getty Images

2. Portland, OR
> Avg. coffee price: $4.30
> Avg. annual coffee cost: $1,118 (1.8% of annual income)
> Coffee shops per capita: 27
> Population: 2,493,221

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

1. Milwaukee
> Avg. coffee price: $3.56
> Avg. annual coffee cost: $926 (1.5% of annual income)
> Coffee shops per capita: 12
> Population: 1,575,179

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