Did you know Saskatchewan residents spend $22.06 monthly at coffee shops while BC residents spend $38.28? New data reveals striking provincial differences in coffee shop spending - and what these patterns say about Canadian regional culture.
Turns out, your postal code really does predict how much you spend at coffee shops, and the differences are way more dramatic than you'd expect.
Worth knowing upfront: Canadians spend an average of $35.21 monthly at coffee shops and takeout spots [^1], but that's where national unity ends. New research analyzing coffee shop purchases across Canadian provinces reveals completely different spending personalities—and we're not talking subtle variations here.
The Big Reveal: Prairie Thrift vs. Western Premium
The most striking finding? Saskatchewan residents spend the least on coffee shop purchases in Canada at just $22.06 monthly compared to the national average of $35.21—that's a massive 37% less [^1]. Manitoba follows the same pattern at $28.02 monthly (20% below average) [^1].
How are they pulling this off? While the spending data measures coffee shop and takeout purchases, Prairie residents clearly favor home brewing and bulk buying strategies that keep their coffee shop visits minimal. When they do buy coffee out, they're strategic about it. Worth knowing: approaches like coffee subscriptions can deliver similar savings by reducing the need for expensive coffee shop runs—perfect for maintaining that Prairie efficiency.
Meanwhile, British Columbia leads coffee shop spending at $38.28 monthly—9% above the national average and 73% more than Saskatchewan residents spend [^1].
These aren't coincidences. They're expressions of regional personality that go way deeper than coffee preferences.
Provincial Coffee Shop Spending Personalities
Saskatchewan: The Thrifty Champions
- $22.06 monthly coffee shop spending (37% below national average) [^1]
- The approach: Minimal coffee shop visits, maximize home brewing
- The vibe: Why pay coffee shop prices when you can brew at home?
Manitoba: The Consistent Savers
- $28.02 monthly coffee shop spending (20% below national average) [^1]
- The approach: Similar home brewing focus with occasional coffee shop visits
- The personality: Saskatchewan's coffee cousin with slightly more takeout flexibility
British Columbia: The Premium Coffee Shop Customers
- $38.28 monthly coffee shop spending (9% above national average) [^1]
- Preference: Local, independent coffee shops when buying out
- The culture: Willing to pay more for quality coffee shop experiences, especially from local businesses
Ontario: The Urban Coffee Shop Regulars
- $36.60 monthly coffee shop spending (4% above national average) [^1]
- $9.11 monthly on flat whites alone [^1]
- Starbucks preferred for takeout [^2]
- The lifestyle: Coffee shops are part of the daily urban routine, with specialty drinks showing sophisticated preferences
Alberta: The Balanced Spenders
- $36.42 monthly coffee shop spending (3% above national average) [^1]
- Lead Canada in household roast/ground coffee expenditure [^3]
- Starbucks for takeout [^2]
- The balance: High home brewing investment combined with regular coffee shop visits
Nova Scotia & Newfoundland: The Atlantic Moderates
- $32.18 monthly coffee shop spending (9% below national average) [^1]
- Tied for fourth place in provincial spending
- The approach: Moderate coffee shop spending balanced with home brewing
New Brunswick: The Traditional Coffee Shop Visitors
- $30.88 monthly coffee shop spending (12% below national average) [^1]
- Folger's is #1 home choice [^2]
- The character: Maritime preference for familiar, reliable brands whether at home or coffee shops
Quebec: The Independent Approach
- $28.38 monthly coffee shop spending (19% below national average) [^1]
- Only province preferring private-label brands for home brewing [^2]
- The attitude: Quebec's cultural independence extends to coffee—prefer home brewing with store brands over coffee shop culture
Why Are We Telling You This?
Look, we get it—these differences sound random. But here's what's interesting: your province's coffee shop spending says something about how you live.
Prairie provinces spend the least at coffee shops, likely because home brewing is just part of the routine. West Coast spends the most, probably because there's a coffee shop on every corner and supporting local businesses matters. Central Canada falls in the middle, balancing convenience with busy work schedules. Atlantic Canada keeps it moderate with steady, traditional habits.
Bottom line: Where you live affects how you get your coffee - and how much you spend doing it.
The Provincial Spending Breakdown
Coffee Shop Spending Ranked (Monthly):
- British Columbia: $38.28 (highest)
- Ontario: $36.60
- Alberta: $36.42
- Nova Scotia & Newfoundland (tied): $32.18
- New Brunswick: $30.88
- Quebec: $28.38
- Manitoba: $28.02
- Saskatchewan: $22.06 (lowest)
National Average: $35.21 monthly [^1]
Coffee Shop Chain Preferences That'll Surprise You:
No province selected Tim Hortons as their #1 coffee shop preference despite having 3,520 locations nationwide—likely due to quality perception issues as the brand expanded rapidly while competitors focused on premium positioning [^2]. Here's the actual provincial brand map:
- Starbucks preferred: Ontario, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Alberta [^2]
- Private-label for home (reducing coffee shop visits): Quebec, Manitoba [^2]
- Local independent shops: British Columbia [^2]
Post-COVID Changes That Stuck:
- Home brewing's share increased from 78% to 87% nationally due to lockdown necessity that became preferred habit, reducing coffee shop visits [^4]
- Drive-through usage permanently up from 18% to 29% as safety concerns made contactless pickup standard at coffee shops [^4]
- Premium equipment sales increased 35% during 2020-2021 as people invested in home setups to replace coffee shop purchases [^5]
What This Actually Means
Here's the practical side: if you're in Saskatchewan and spending $35+ monthly at coffee shops, you're spending 50% more than your neighbors. If you're in BC spending $22, you're getting a deal compared to the provincial average.
The takeaway? Home brewing can save serious money. Saskatchewan residents prove you can get your caffeine fix without the coffee shop markup - they're spending $192 less annually than BC residents on coffee shop purchases alone. That's enough to buy several bags of quality beans and still come out ahead.
Whether you want to match your province's spending or buck the trend entirely, knowing where you fall gives you a baseline.
The Bottom Line
Canadian coffee shop spending isn't about caffeine—it's about identity expressed through daily choices. Whether you're minimizing coffee shop visits through Prairie efficiency or embracing West Coast artisanal coffee shop experiences, your spending habits reveal deep truths about regional Canadian character.
As Canada's coffee market grows toward a projected $44 billion by 2032 [^6], these regional personalities will become even more pronounced. Smart businesses will understand these cultural differences. National coffee shop chains trying to satisfy dramatically different provincial preferences? They'll have their work cut out for them.
Your postal code really does determine your coffee shop spending—and those differences make Canada's regional diversity both fascinating and measurable.
References
[^1]: Time2Play Survey. (2022). "Canada's Coffee Shop Spending Revealed." Western Restaurant News. Analysis of 74 popular coffee orders across nine Canadian provinces measuring monthly coffee shop and takeout spending. https://www.westernrestaurantnews.com/news-releases/2584-canada-s-coffee-shop-spending-revealed
[^2]: Narcity. (2024). "Canadians Have Revealed Their Favourite Coffee Brand & It's Bad News For Tim Hortons." Consumer preference survey across Canadian provinces. https://www.narcity.com/canadians-revealed-favourite-coffee-brand-bad-news-for-tim-hortons
[^3]: Made in CA. (2025). "Coffee Consumption Statistics in Canada for 2025." https://madeinca.ca/coffee-consumption-statistics-canada/
[^4]: Statistics Canada. (2021). "Impact of COVID-19 on food services and drinking places, first quarter of 2021." https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/45-28-0001/2021001/article/00010-eng.htm
[^5]: MENU Magazine. (2021). "How Cafe Culture is Shifting in the Wake of COVID-19." https://menumag.ca/2021/04/26/how-cafe-culture-is-shifting-in-the-wake-of-covid-19/
[^6]: Expert Market Research. (2025). "Canada Coffee Market Size, Share, Analysis 2025-2034." https://www.expertmarketresearch.com/reports/canada-coffee-market
Note: All spending figures represent average monthly expenditure on coffee shop and takeout coffee purchases, including purchases from Starbucks, Tim Hortons, McDonald's, and local coffee shops. Data does not include home brewing grocery purchases.
For media inquiries or additional data: Contact: meagan@twistedgoatcoffee.com
High-resolution infographics and provincial coffee shop spending comparisons available for media use.
