According to the National Coffee Association's annual report, a whopping 64 percent of Americans now drink at least one cup of coffee on a daily basis. What's more, if you look at recent USDA figures, we collectively import a staggering 3.3 billion pounds of coffee each year. And if I had to bet, you're probably no more a stone's throw away from one—or several, depending on your city—of the 13,000 Starbucks in America.
Yes, we sure do love our coffee—and it's a love that has been immortalized in many a geographical caricature. You know: the over-caffeinated over-achiever from New York, or the soy-latte-loving health nut from Los Angeles, or the diehard iced coffee drinker from Boston. But even though these cities have earned rightful places as colloquial coffee capitals, one question remains: How do these well-held beliefs hold up in the face of science? What cities are truly the most caffeinated in the country? We decided to find out.
We started with a gargantuan list of the most populous cities in the United States and ranked each locale on four factors: total number of coffee shops (courtesy of Yelp), number of coffee shops per 100K people (thanks to the Census Bureau), annual value of "sales, shipments, receipts, revenue, or business done" (also thanks to the Census Bureau), and average price of a cappuccino, with the lowest price ranking the best (Numbeo.com). From there, we averaged each city's rank on each of these four metrics to determine an overall average ranking: its caffeinated city score. (Note: The Census Bureau did not provide the sales and shipments values for a handful of the less populated cities, so in those cases, we calculated the averages of the other three metrics.)
Like a highly caffeinated game of golf, the lowest number is the winningest score. We're sure you'll be startled to see the truth. And if you find yourself among the one-third of Americans who don't indulge in the stuff, well, you may want to familiarize yourself with the 75 Amazing Benefits of Coffee.
50 | Arlington, TX
Population: 396,394
Total # of coffee shops: 222
# of coffee shops per 100K people: 56
Annual value of sales, shipments, receipts, revenue, or business done: $34.53 million
Average price of a cappuccino: $3.89
Caffeinated City Score: 38.25
Photo of Savor Coffee Bar and Eatery, via Instagram
And to learn which cities score highest for indulging in other types of beverages, check out The 100 Drunkest Cities in America.
49 | Milwaukee, WI
Population: 595,351
Total # of coffee shops: 277
# of coffee shops per 100K people: 47
Annual value of sales, shipments, receipts, revenue, or business done: N/A
Average price of a cappuccino: $4.16
Caffeinated City Score: 38
Photo of Alderaan Coffee, via Instagram
And for more insightful city rankings, don't miss The 100 Happiest Cities in America.
48 | Richmond, VA
Population: 227,032
Total # of coffee shops: 175
# of coffee shops per 100K people: 77
Annual value of sales, shipments, receipts, revenue, or business done: $19.48 million
Average price of a cappuccino: $3.46
Caffeinated City Score: 37.75
Photo of Black Hand Coffee Co., via Instagram
And for a pro tip on how to be most efficient with your coffee-drinking experience, be sure to check out This Is the Secret Second Use of Your Coffee Cup Lid.
47 | Indianapolis, IN
Population: 863,002
Total # of coffee shops: 280
# of coffee shops per 100K people: 32
Annual value of sales, shipments, receipts, revenue, or business done: $83.92 million
Average price of a cappuccino: $4.10
Caffeinated City Score: 36.25
Photo of Monon Coffee Company, via Instagram
46 | Virginia Beach, VA
Population: 450,435
Total # of coffee shops: 271
# of coffee shops per 100K people: 60
Annual value of sales, shipments, receipts, revenue, or business done: $50.33 million
Average price of a cappuccino: $3.97
Caffeinated City Score: 34
Photo of Beach Coffee Co., via Instagram
45 | Colorado Springs, CO
Population: 464,474
Total # of coffee shops: 215
# of coffee shops per 100K people: 46
Annual value of sales, shipments, receipts, revenue, or business done: N/A
Average price of a cappuccino: $3.78
Caffeinated City Score: 34
Photo of The Wild Goose Meeting House, via Instagram
44 | Irvine, CA
Population: 277,453
Total # of coffee shops: 215
# of coffee shops per 100K people: 77
Annual value of sales, shipments, receipts, revenue, or business done: N/A
Average price of a cappuccino: $4.02
Caffeinated City Score: 33
Photo of Kona Loa Coffee, via Instagram
43 | Jersey City, NJ
Population: 270,753
Total # of coffee shops: 235
# of coffee shops per 100K people: 87
Annual value of sales, shipments, receipts, revenue, or business done: $26.81 million
Average price of a cappuccino: $3.75
Caffeinated City Score: 32.75
Photo of Beechwood Cafe, via Instagram
42 | Newark, NJ
Population: 285,154
Total # of coffee shops: 190
# of coffee shops per 100K people: 67
Annual value of sales, shipments, receipts, revenue, or business done: $36.1 million
Average price of a cappuccino: $3.17
Caffeinated City Score: 32.5
Photo of Black Swan Espresso, via Instagram
41 | Reno, NV
Population: 248,853
Total # of coffee shops: 181
# of coffee shops per 100K people: 73
Annual value of sales, shipments, receipts, revenue, or business done: N/A
Average price of a cappuccino: $3.77
Caffeinated City Score: 32.33
Photo of Hub Coffee Roasters, via Instagram
40 | Minneapolis, MN
Population: 422,331
Total # of coffee shops: 315
# of coffee shops per 100K people: 75
Annual value of sales, shipments, receipts, revenue, or business done: $68.8 million
Average price of a cappuccino: $4.31
Caffeinated City Score: 32.25
Photo of Blue Moon Coffee Cafe, via Instagram
39 | Oklahoma City, OK
Population: 643,648
Total # of coffee shops: 194
# of coffee shops per 100K people: 30
Annual value of sales, shipments, receipts, revenue, or business done: $85.3 million
Average price of a cappuccino: $3.56
Caffeinated City Score: 32.25
Photo of Coffee Slingers Roasters, via Instagram
38 | Jacksonville, FL
Population: 892,062
Total # of coffee shops: 211
# of coffee shops per 100K people: 24
Annual value of sales, shipments, receipts, revenue, or business done: $93.41 million
Average price of a cappuccino: $3.59
Caffeinated City Score: 32
Photo of Bold Bean Coffee Roasters, via Instagram
37 | Charlotte, NC
Population: 859,035
Total # of coffee shops: 416
# of coffee shops per 100K people: 48
Annual value of sales, shipments, receipts, revenue, or business done: $97.17 million
Average price of a cappuccino: $4.31
Caffeinated City Score: 31.75
Photo of Joe and Nosh, via Instagram
36 | Boston, MA
Population: 685,094
Total # of coffee shops: 590
# of coffee shops per 100K people: 86
Annual value of sales, shipments, receipts, revenue, or business done: N/A
Average price of a cappuccino: $3.81
Caffeinated City Score: 31
Photo of Ogawa Coffee, via Instagram
35 | San Antonio, TX
Population: 1,511,946
Total # of coffee shops: 413
# of coffee shops per 100K people: 27
Annual value of sales, shipments, receipts, revenue, or business done: $98.83 million
Average price of a cappuccino: $3.94
Caffeinated City Score: 30
And if you prefer to brew your own cup of joe, be sure to bone up on The 15 Best Coffee Makers on the Planet.
Photo of Rosella Coffee, via Instagram
34 | Buffalo, NY
Population: 258,612
Total # of coffee shops: 190
# of coffee shops per 100K people: 73
Annual value of sales, shipments, receipts, revenue, or business done: N/A
Average price of a cappuccino: $3.67
Caffeinated City Score: 30
Photo of Buffalo Coffee Roastery, via Instagram
33 | Baltimore, MD
Population: 611,648
Total # of coffee shops: 436
# of coffee shops per 100K people: 71
Annual value of sales, shipments, receipts, revenue, or business done: $49.2 million
Average price of a cappuccino: $4.00
Caffeinated City Score: 29.75
Photo of Ceremony Coffee Roasters, via Instagram
32 | Orlando, FL
Population: 280,257
Total # of coffee shops: 239
# of coffee shops per 100K people: 85
Annual value of sales, shipments, receipts, revenue, or business done: $54.69 million
Average price of a cappuccino: $3.95
Caffeinated City Score: 29.5
Photo of Downtown Credo, via Instagram
31 | Honolulu, HI
Population: 350,395
Total # of coffee shops: 386
# of coffee shops per 100K people: 110
Annual value of sales, shipments, receipts, revenue, or business done: $84.94 million
Average price of a cappuccino: $4.83
Caffeinated City Score: 29
30 | Cleveland, OH
Population: 385,525
Total # of coffee shops: 312
# of coffee shops per 100K people: 81
Annual value of sales, shipments, receipts, revenue, or business done: $24.67 million
Average price of a cappuccino: $3.42
Caffeinated City Score: 28.5
Photo of Dewey's Coffee Shop, via Instagram
29 | Oakland, CA
Population: 425,195
Total # of coffee shops: 332
# of coffee shops per 100K people: 78
Annual value of sales, shipments, receipts, revenue, or business done: $49.41 million
Average price of a cappuccino: $3.88
Caffeinated City Score: 28
Photo of Modern Coffee, via Instagram
28 | Tampa, FL
Population: 385,430
Total # of coffee shops: 370
# of coffee shops per 100K people: 96
Annual value of sales, shipments, receipts, revenue, or business done: $53.19 million
Average price of a cappuccino: $4.11
Caffeinated City Score: 28
Photo of Mortar & Pestle, via Instagram
27 | Detroit, MI
Population: 673,104
Total # of coffee shops: 599
# of coffee shops per 100K people: 89
Annual value of sales, shipments, receipts, revenue, or business done: N/A
Average price of a cappuccino: $3.61
Caffeinated City Score: 27.75
Photo of Great Lakes Coffee Roasting Company, via Instagram
26 | Phoenix, AZ
Population: 1,626,078
Total # of coffee shops: 728
# of coffee shops per 100K people: 45
Annual value of sales, shipments, receipts, revenue, or business done: $127.44 million
Average price of a cappuccino: $4.32
Caffeinated City Score: 27.75
Photo of Elevate Coffee Co., via Instagram
25 | Raleigh, NC
Population: 464,758
Total # of coffee shops: 369
# of coffee shops per 100K people: 79
Annual value of sales, shipments, receipts, revenue, or business done: $67.9 million
Average price of a cappuccino: $4.09
Caffeinated City Score: 27.75
Photo of Jubala Coffee, via Instagram
And for more useful information on America's cities, don't miss The 50 Cleanest Cities in the World.
24 | Cincinnati, OH
Population: 301,301
Total # of coffee shops: 280
# of coffee shops per 100K people: 93
Annual value of sales, shipments, receipts, revenue, or business done: N/A
Average price of a cappuccino: $4.09
Caffeinated City Score: 27.33
Photo of Coffee Emporium, via Instagram
23 | Atlanta, GA
Population: 486,290
Total # of coffee shops: 306
# of coffee shops per 100K people: 93
Annual value of sales, shipments, receipts, revenue, or business done: $93.25 million
Average price of a cappuccino: $3.90
Caffeinated City Score: 26.75
Photo of Land of a Thousand Hills Coffee Company, via Instagram
22 | Denver, CO
Population: 704,621
Total # of coffee shops: 488
# of coffee shops per 100K people: 69
Annual value of sales, shipments, receipts, revenue, or business done: $121.33 million
Average price of a cappuccino: $4.26
Caffeinated City Score: 26.75
Photo of Corvus Coffee Roasters, via Instagram
21 | Dallas, TX
Population: 1,341,075
Total # of coffee shops: 705
# of coffee shops per 100K people: 53
Annual value of sales, shipments, receipts, revenue, or business done: $111.83 million
Average price of a cappuccino: $4.28
Caffeinated City Score: 26.5
Photo of Commissary, via Instagram
20 | Columbus, OH
Population: 879,170
Total # of coffee shops: 308
# of coffee shops per 100K people: 35
Annual value of sales, shipments, receipts, revenue, or business done: $103.52 million
Average price of a cappuccino: $3.61
Caffeinated City Score: 26.25
Photo of The Roosevelt Coffeehouse, via Instagram
19 | Austin, TX
Population: 950,715
Total # of coffee shops: 735
# of coffee shops per 100K people: 77
Annual value of sales, shipments, receipts, revenue, or business done: $126.18 million
Average price of a cappuccino: $4.57
Caffeinated City Score: 24.75
Photo of Epoch Coffee, via Instagram
18 | Houston, TX
Population: 2,312,717
Total # of coffee shops: 958
# of coffee shops per 100K people: 41
Annual value of sales, shipments, receipts, revenue, or business done: $213.74 million
Average price of a cappuccino: $4.24
Caffeinated City Score: 24.5
Photo of The Nook Cafe, via Instagram
17 | Kansas City, MO
Population: 488,943
Total # of coffee shops: 407
# of coffee shops per 100K people: 83
Annual value of sales, shipments, receipts, revenue, or business done: $44.68 million
Average price of a cappuccino: $3.72
Caffeinated City Score: 24.5
Photo of Hammerhand Coffee, via Instagram
16 | Chicago, IL
Population: 2,716,450
Total # of coffee shops: 992
# of coffee shops per 100K people: 37
Annual value of sales, shipments, receipts, revenue, or business done: $385.94 million
Average price of a cappuccino: $4.21
Caffeinated City Score: 23.75
Photo of Asado Coffee Roasters, via Instagram
15 | Fort Worth, TX
Population: 874,168
Total # of coffee shops: 549
# of coffee shops per 100K people: 63
Annual value of sales, shipments, receipts, revenue, or business done: $56.32 million
Average price of a cappuccino: $3.74
Caffeinated City Score: 23.5
Photo of Ampersand, via Instagram
And speaking of life-giving liquids, don't miss our useful compilation of The 25 U.S. Cities with the Best Drinking Water.
14 | San Diego, CA
Population: 1,419,516
Total # of coffee shops: 798
# of coffee shops per 100K people: 56
Annual value of sales, shipments, receipts, revenue, or business done: $225.19 million
Average price of a cappuccino: $4.29
Caffeinated City Score: 23.5
Photo of Heartwork Coffee Bar, via Instagram
13 | Philadelphia, PA
Population: 1,580,863
Total # of coffee shops: 550
# of coffee shops per 100K people: 35
Annual value of sales, shipments, receipts, revenue, or business done: $167.49 million
Average price of a cappuccino: $3.83
Caffeinated City Score: 23
Photo of HighPointe Performance Cafe, via Instagram
12 | New Orleans, LA
Population: 393,292
Total # of coffee shops: 392
# of coffee shops per 100K people: 100
Annual value of sales, shipments, receipts, revenue, or business done: $62.7 million
Average price of a cappuccino: $3.94
Caffeinated City Score: 22.75
Photo of Cafe Du Monde, via Instagram
11 | San Jose, CA
Population: 1,035,317
Total # of coffee shops: 602
# of coffee shops per 100K people: 58
Annual value of sales, shipments, receipts, revenue, or business done: $142.75 million
Average price of a cappuccino: $4.06
Caffeinated City Score: 22
10 | Sacramento, CA
Population: 501,901
Total # of coffee shops: 531
# of coffee shops per 100K people: 106
Annual value of sales, shipments, receipts, revenue, or business done: 68,365
Average price of a cappuccino: $4.03
Caffeinated City Score: 21.25
Photo of Temple Coffee, via Instagram
9 | Washington, DC
Population: 693,972
Total # of coffee shops: 558
# of coffee shops per 100K people: 80
Annual value of sales, shipments, receipts, revenue, or business done: $145.45 million
Average price of a cappuccino: $4.14
Caffeinated City Score: 20.75
Photo of Bluestone Lane, via Instagram
8 | Pittsburgh, PA
Population: 302,407
Total # of coffee shops: 248
# of coffee shops per 100K people: 82
Annual value of sales, shipments, receipts, revenue, or business done: $70.92 million
Average price of a cappuccino: $3.44
Caffeinated City Score: 20.5
Photo of Allegheny Coffee and Tea Exchange, via Instagram
7 | Miami, FL
Population: 463,347
Total # of coffee shops: 444
# of coffee shops per 100K people: 96
Annual value of sales, shipments, receipts, revenue, or business done: $53.61 million
Average price of a cappuccino: $3.67
Caffeinated City Score: 19.75
Photo of Eternity Coffee Roasters, via Instagram
6 | Las Vegas, NV
Population: 641,676
Total # of coffee shops: 560
# of coffee shops per 100K people: 87
Annual value of sales, shipments, receipts, revenue, or business done: $64.15 million
Average price of a cappuccino: $3.83
Caffeinated City Score: 19.25
Photo of Sunrise Coffee, via Instagram
5 | New York, NY
Population: 8,622,698
Total # of coffee shops: 5,445
# of coffee shops per 100K people: 63
Annual value of sales, shipments, receipts, revenue, or business done: $1.39 billion
Average price of a cappuccino: $4.25
Caffeinated City Score: 19
Photo of Coffee Project New York, via Instagram
4 | Los Angeles, CA
Population: 3,999,759
Total # of coffee shops: 3,163
# of coffee shops per 100K people: 79
Annual value of sales, shipments, receipts, revenue, or business done: $530.68 million
Average price of a cappuccino: $4.28
Caffeinated City Score: 17.75
Photo of Blue Bottle Coffee, via Instagram
3 | Seattle, WA
Population: 724,745
Total # of coffee shops: 854
# of coffee shops per 100K people: 118
Annual value of sales, shipments, receipts, revenue, or business done: $243.35 million
Average price of a cappuccino: $4.33
Caffeinated City Score: 17
Photo of La Marzocco Cafe, via Instagram
2 | San Francisco, CA
Population: 884,363
Total # of coffee shops: 1,237
# of coffee shops per 100K people: 140
Annual value of sales, shipments, receipts, revenue, or business done: $336.02 million
Average price of a cappuccino: $4.46
Caffeinated City Score: 16.5
Photo of Tierra Mia Coffee, via Instagram
1 | Portland, OR
Population: 647,805
Total # of coffee shops: 685
# of coffee shops per 100K people: 106
Annual value of sales, shipments, receipts, revenue, or business done: $165.87 million
Average price of a cappuccino: $3.94
Caffeinated City Score: 13.5
Photo of Coava Coffee Roasters, via Instagram
And for more on how America's cities stack up, don't miss The 50 Most Humid Places in America.
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