Aussie coffee lovers could be forking out close to $2,000 on daily takeaway coffees each year, according to new research from Compare the Market.
Ahead of World Coffee Day on 1 October, Compare the Market asked Aussies how much they spend on a single-serve coffee or hot beverage, with the average cost coming in at $5.42 a cup.
The research, from Compare the Market‘s upcoming Budget Barometer, found Australia’s daily love affair with takeaway caffeinated beverages could cost $37.94 a week, $164.40 a month and a staggering $1,972.88 a year.
Here’s how much that little cup of liquid gold can end up costing over the course of a week, month and year, depending on how many takeaway coffees you purchase.
| Coffees per week | Average weekly spend | Average monthly spend | Average annual spend |
| 1 | $5.42 | $23.49 | $281.84 |
| 2 | $10.84 | $46.97 | $563.68 |
| 3 | $16.26 | $70.46 | $845.52 |
| 4 | $21.68 | $93.94 | $1,127.36 |
| 5 | $27.10 | $117.43 | $1,409.20 |
| 6 | $32.52 | $140.92 | $1,691.04 |
| 7 | $37.94 | $164.40 | $1,972.88 |
Source: *Compare the Market commissioned PureProfile to survey 3,078 18+ aged Australian adults for a nationally representative survey, conducted August 2026.
Compare the Market’s Sarah Orr said Aussies may be surprised to learn how much their coffee addictions cost each year.
“Australians take their takeaway coffee seriously and many of us are happy to pay top dollar for the perfect brew,” Ms Orr said.
“The problem is that what feels like a harmless daily habit can quietly snowball into a major annual expense. A takeaway coffee every day could cost almost $2,000 a year.
“That’s around the price of a return economy ticket to Europe. Suddenly that morning flat white starts looking a lot more expensive.”
While Melbourne’s café culture may be world-famous, Victoria recorded the lowest average coffee spend of any mainland state at $4.73 per cup.
Meanwhile, New South Wales topped the list with the nation’s most expensive average takeaway coffee spend at $5.74, followed by Queensland at $5.60.
“Melbourne is often crowned Australia’s coffee capital and Victorians may be happy to know they’re paying less for their caffeine fix than coffee drinkers in the rest of the country,” Ms Orr said.
“You could argue that Victorians have managed to achieve the holy grail of coffee culture: great coffee without the highest price tag. The popularity of smaller, high-impact orders like piccolos might explain this.
“Coffee lovers in other states may be paying a premium for their daily brew, particularly if grabbing a coffee on the way to work has become part of their morning routine.”
Average coffee spend by state:
NSW: $5.74
QLD: $5.60
SA: $5.38
WA: $5.20
VIC: $4.73
The data also suggests younger Aussies spend the most on takeaway coffee, with 25–34-year-olds recording the highest average coffee spend at $6.31 a cup.
They were followed by:
- 18 to 24-year-olds: $5.56
- 65+: $5.44
- 45 to 54-year-olds: $5.41
- 55 to 64-year-olds: $5.10
- 35 to 44-year-olds: $5.00
Ms Orr said convenience could be playing a role in younger Australians paying more for their coffee.
“Whether it’s a pre-work flat white, a lunch break latte or an afternoon pick-me-up, coffee has become a daily ritual for many Australians,” Ms Orr said.
“For busy workers, the convenience of grabbing a coffee on the go can be hard to beat, but those purchases can add up surprisingly quickly over time.”
Ms Orr’s tips for spending less on coffee
- Brew it yourself: Making coffee at home is typically far cheaper than buying takeaway every day. A $6.50 jar of instant coffee could bring the cost down to just a few cents a cup.
- Make loyalty programs work harder: Regular customers may be able to score free drinks, discounts and rewards through café loyalty programs.
- Look for hidden perks: Some insurers, banks, energy providers and other businesses offer café vouchers or coffee discounts as part of their rewards programs.
- Ask about concessions: Seniors, students and members of some organisations may be eligible for discounts, so it never hurts to ask before ordering.
For more information, please contact:
Phillip Portman | 0437 384 471 | [email protected]
Compare the Market is a comparison service that takes the hard work out of shopping around. We make it Simples for Australians to quickly and easily compare and buy insurance, energy, and home loans products from a range of providers. Our easy-to-use comparison tool helps you look for a range of products that may suit your needs and benefit your back pocket.
