Top 10 U.S. Cities Thriving in Coffee Culture
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Portland, Oregon, alongside several cities in Florida and California, has been named among the top destinations for coffee enthusiasts, according to new research by WalletHub. The study, released ahead of National Coffee Day on September 29, compared the 100 largest U.S. cities across 12 key metrics, from the number of cafés and coffee shops per capita to household spending and average coffee prices.
Coffee remains the most popular beverage among American adults after bottled water. A recent report from the National Coffee Association (NCA) revealed that 66% of U.S. adults drink coffee daily, consuming nearly three cups per person on average.
Portland Leads the Nation
Portland ranked first overall, thanks to what WalletHub described as “an extremely high number of affordable coffee shops rated at least 4.5 out of 5 stars.” The city also placed eighth for coffee shops per capita offering free Wi-Fi. On average, Portland households spend $192 annually on coffee, ranking 20th nationwide. Nearly a quarter of residents own an electric grinder, while 27% have single-cup brewing machines.
Orlando, Long Beach, Miami, and Seattle in the Top Five
Orlando, Florida, claimed second place with households spending more than $154 annually on coffee and a vibrant schedule of coffee events. The city also has the highest number of donut shops per capita, reinforcing its reputation as a hub for caffeine and sweet pairings.
Long Beach, California, came in third, driven by an active café scene and strong consumer interest in coffee searches online. Residents spend about $171 per year on coffee, and the city ranks high in ownership of espresso machines and grinders.
Miami, Florida, and Seattle, Washington, rounded out the top five, highlighting the diversity of coffee cultures across different regions of the country.
Broader Coffee Trends Across the U.S.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was noted for having the most cafés per capita, while New York City had the fewest. Other cities including Las Vegas, Honolulu, San Diego, and San Francisco tied for first in terms of affordable, highly rated coffee shops per capita.
Industry experts said the findings reflect not just availability but also deeper cultural shifts. John Surdyk, director at the Wisconsin School of Business, highlighted how higher quality beans, improved roasting, and drink customization have transformed coffee into a premium cultural product. He also pointed to the influence of social media and the pandemic in reinforcing at-home coffee habits.
Erick P.C. Chang, associate professor at Arkansas State University, added that younger generations increasingly view coffee and tea as healthier alternatives to sugary soft drinks, with lower alcohol consumption trends further driving demand. He noted that the rise of Starbucks, ready-to-drink products, and single-serve machines like Keurig and Nespresso has brought café-quality coffee into homes nationwide.
Top 10 U.S. Cities for Coffee Lovers
- Portland, Oregon
- Orlando, Florida
- Long Beach, California
- Miami, Florida
- Seattle, Washington
- Tampa, Florida
- San Francisco, California
- Austin, Texas
- Oakland, California
- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Source: WalletHub study of the 100 largest U.S. cities across 12 coffee-related metrics.
