Waking up with a hot cup of coffee is one of life’s greatest pleasures, and it’s one shared by just about everyone. According to the British Coffee Association, around 2 billion cups are consumed around the globe each day. And while any old cup of coffee will do for some, others take that caffeine fix seriously. If you’re in the latter group, WalletHub has some new research about the best coffee cities in the U.S. that you need to know about.
According to a recent survey by the National Coffee Association, 66 percent of Americans drink coffee daily, which inspired WalletHub to look into which cities around the nation are pouring the best cups.
To determine its rankings, WalletHub compared the 100 largest cities across 12 indicators of “coffee lover-friendliness.” That included the number of coffee shops, coffee houses, and cafés per capita, as well as the average price per pack of coffee in each destination. And after doing all that number crunching, it named Portland, Oregon, the top spot.
“Portland, Oregon, is the best coffee city, in large part because it has an extremely high number of affordable coffee shops that are rated at least 4.5 stars out of 5,” the team shared in the findings. “It also has the eighth-most coffee shops per capita that offer free Wi-Fi, which is great for anyone who wants to work while enjoying a cup of java.”
However, it noted that people living in Portland don’t always have to go out for a great cup.
“Nearly 24 percent of the population owns an electric coffee grinder, the 11th-highest percentage in the nation, and around 27 percent of residents own a single-cup or pod-brewing coffee maker,” the findings stated. As for how much Portlandians spend on coffee, the team found the average household here spends roughly $192 annually on coffee.
Coming in a close second is Orlando, thanks to “coffee-crazy households” who “spend an average of over $154 on the beverage each year.” Orlando is also home to several coffee festivals, “making it a true hub for caffeine enthusiasts and specialty brews.” The city also ranks among the top destinations for affordable shops that are rated at least 4.5 stars out of 5. Plus, “for those who want a sweet treat to pair with their cup of Joe, the city has the most donut shops per capita.”
Rounding out the top three is Long Beach, California, which scored high marks thanks to being home to a “very high number of coffee shop options, especially ones rated at least 4.5 stars out of 5.” The team also found one coffee fun fact: “Long Beach residents and visitors demonstrate their love of java through their search history, as they search Google for ‘coffee’ more than people in all but six other cities.”
“Coffee has become a staple of American culture, helping people stay energized for the workday and bond with friends or dates,” Chip Lupo, an analyst for WalletHub, said. “But the costs of having one or more cups of Joe daily can add up, especially as prices inflate.” So, to ensure you can always enjoy a fresh brew, Lupo said to do what the cities that are wildest about coffee do: invest in a home brewing setup. That way, you can mix it up between your couch at home and the one at your favorite shop.
See the full report at wallethub.com.
