For millions of us, it’s the best part of the morning routine: that first sip of coffee. Our local coffee shops are more than just a place for a caffeine fix; they’re community cornerstones where we meet, work, and recharge. In honor of National Coffee Day on September 29, 2025, we analyzed data from tens of thousands of restaurants and cafes across the country to gain insight into America’s coffee habits, specifically for regular hot coffee (drip or pour-over hot coffee) and cold brew coffee. Here are a few trends brewing for 2025.
Key takeaways
The price of a morning buzz is climbing
What’s affecting prices: Weather is among the most influential factors affecting coffee prices in recent years. Coffee requires very specific conditions to grow and is primarily sourced from an area known as the “Bean Belt,” which lies between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn.
By the numbers: The national median price for a regular hot coffee was $3.52 in August 2025, while cold brew was $5.47.
Highest prices: Despite being one of the few areas in the U.S. that can grow its own coffee beans, Hawaii has the most expensive coffee, with a median price of $5.23 for regular and $6.74 for cold brew.
Biggest jump: Seattle saw the most significant year-over-year price increase for a regular coffee, at 12.4% in the cities that Toast explored.
Why are prices higher? Several factors can influence the price of coffee, including weather, sourcing, demand, labor, equipment, trade implications, and overhead costs.
No surprise here: coffee inflation continues. We’re seeing the price of a regular cup of coffee and its colder cousin, cold brew, tick upward across the country compared to last year. At the national level, median regular coffee prices were $3.52 in August 2025, and median cold brew prices clocked in at $5.47 per order.
The median price for a regular hot coffee rose in 41 states year-over-year in August 2025 compared to August 2024. Guests in Hawaii are paying the most, at a median of $5.23, while those in West Virginia and Mississippi can still find a cup for just under $3.
When it comes to cities that Toast explored, a regular hot coffee will set you back the most in Los Angeles ($4.99) and San Francisco ($4.92). But Seattle saw the biggest price jump, with a 12.4% increase since last August.
For cold brew, Hawaiian cafes also charge the most at $6.74 a cup. But here’s the kicker: in a few cities, the price of cold brew actually went down. Bucking the trend, cold brew prices dipped slightly in Miami, FL (-0.4%) and took a bigger dip in San Antonio, TX (-8.6%). This could be because guests are ordering smaller sizes compared to last year, or restaurants and cafes are only offering smaller cups.
Cold brew is the king of summer
The big picture: Our coffee choices are strongly tied to the seasons. Cold brew is a summer phenomenon, while regular coffee is a more consistent daily driver.
Summer surge: Demand for cold brew is highly seasonal, peaking in July 2025, when customers ordered 35% more than the annual average.
A steady staple: Regular coffee sales are more stable, peaking in December and March.
The bottom line: Regular coffee remains far more popular overall, with guests ordering over seven times more regular coffee than cold brew.
While hot coffee is a year-round staple, our taste for cold brew is definitely seasonal.
Data shows that our demand for cold brew more than doubles from its low point in the winter to its peak in the middle of summer. As the leaves start to change, our coffee orders do, too. It seems our collective craving for a smooth, cold cup of coffee is directly tied to the temperature outside.
At its peak this past year, guests ordered 35% more cold brew in July 2025 than the average between August 2024. Regular coffee, on the other hand, is a bit more stable, peaking in December and March, and falling off in June and July. It’s also more popular — by a lot. Guests ordered more than seven times the amount of regular coffee than cold brew.
Which state loves coffee the most?
A tale of two coffees: The data shows clear regional loyalties when it comes to coffee choice.
For regular coffee: The Midwest and New England lead the pack. Minnesota cafes sell nearly 45% more regular coffee than the U.S. average, with Maine close behind at 43% above average.
For cold brew: The Northeast's passion is on another level. Maine is the "undisputed cold brew capital," selling an incredible 99% more than the national average. Other states like New York and Massachusetts sell over 70% more than average.
To find America's biggest coffee fans, we looked at sales per restaurant location that sold coffee and cold brew and compared them to the national average.
For a classic cup of hot coffee, the Midwest and New England are clear leaders. Cafes in Minnesota sell nearly 45% more coffee per location than the U.S. average, with Maine close behind at 43% above average. California is also a big coffee lover, ordering 40% more coffee per restaurant location than the national average.
The passion for cold brew, however, is on another level in the Northeast. Maine is the undisputed cold brew capital, with the average shop selling an incredible 99% more than the national average—nearly double the rate. The rest of the region isn't far behind, with states like New York, Massachusetts, and Connecticut all selling over 70% more cold brew than average.
Built for the daily grind
Behind every cup of coffee at your local spot is a hardworking team of operators, baristas, support staff, and more. So this National Coffee Day, raise a cup of your favorite brew to toast the team that keeps your community running — from a simple shot of espresso to a complex latte decorated like a work of art.
Related articles:
Unlock more insights by Toast
Fill out the form to get a virtual demo with a Toast specialist
