Starbucks vs. Home Brewed Coffee: Which One Saves You More Money?
- Arjun Nair
- Apr 30
- 3 min read
Grabbing a coffee from Starbucks might feel like a small indulgence—but if it’s part of your daily routine, the costs add up faster than you think. On the flip side, brewing coffee at home might take an extra 5 minutes, but it could be saving you thousands of rupees a year.
So, which one really saves you more money: the convenience of Starbucks or the habit of home brewing?
Let’s break it down.
Here’s How Much You’ll Save Making Coffee at Home
If you’re buying a ₹300 coffee every day, you’re spending roughly ₹9,000 a month—and over ₹1,00,000 a year—on just one drink per day.
Meanwhile, a cup of home-brewed coffee costs between ₹10 to ₹25, depending on the beans and brewing method.
That’s a difference worth paying attention to.
Starbucks Coffee vs. Making It at Home
We’re comparing three popular Starbucks drinks with their home-brewed alternatives, using average India-based prices for clarity.
☕ Cost of Starbucks Drip Coffee vs. Making It at Home
Starbucks Tall Brewed Coffee (12 oz / ~350 ml): ₹220
Home-brewed black coffee (Kent’s Coffee, per cup): ₹15–₹25
Savings per cup: ₹195+ Monthly savings (daily coffee): ₹5,850+ Annual savings: ₹70,000+
☕ Cost of Starbucks Grande Latte vs. Making It at Home
Starbucks Grande Latte (16 oz / ~450 ml): ₹285
Home-brewed latte (milk + Kent’s Coffee): ₹35–₹50
Savings per cup: ₹235+ Monthly savings: ₹7,050+ Annual savings: ₹84,000+
☕ Cost of Starbucks Caramel Macchiato vs. Making It at Home
Starbucks Grande Caramel Macchiato: ₹345
DIY version (milk, coffee, caramel syrup): ₹50–₹60
Savings per cup: ₹285+ Monthly savings: ₹8,550+ Annual savings: ₹1,02,000+
Which Is Cheaper: Brewing Coffee at Home vs. Grabbing a Daily Starbucks?
The answer’s clear: home brewing wins. Even with premium beans and a few add-ins, homemade coffee costs a fraction of what you’d spend at a coffee shop.
🏷️ The Price of Coffee
Type | Starbucks Price | Home-Brewed Cost |
Drip Coffee | ₹220 | ₹15–₹25 |
Latte | ₹285 | ₹35–₹50 |
Caramel Macchiato | ₹345 | ₹50–₹60 |
💸 How Much You Can Save
Even if you only swap half your coffee runs for home brews, you’re still saving ₹40,000+ per year. Add that up over 5 years—and you’ve got enough saved for a vacation or a new smartphone.
Brewing Coffee at Home vs. Buying at a Coffee Shop
Let’s go beyond the price tag and look at the bigger picture.
☕ How Much Does It Cost to Brew a Cup of Coffee at Home?
Beans: ₹500–₹600 for 250g (makes ~20–25 cups)
Milk/Sugar (optional): ₹5–₹10 per cup
Equipment (spread over time): negligible per cup
On average: ₹15–₹50 per cup, depending on ingredients.
☕ How Much Is a Cup of Coffee at a Coffee Shop?
Most basic coffees = ₹180–₹220
Milk-based or flavored = ₹250–₹350
Add delivery charges or tipping = more
☕ The Cost of Coffee at Home vs. Coffee Shop
Even the most premium home-brewed coffee rarely exceeds ₹50 per cup, making it 5x to 7x cheaper than a coffee shop drink.
Why “Make Your Coffee at Home” Is About More Than Just Saving a Few Rupees
Beyond money, brewing coffee at home encourages intentional habits and a more sustainable lifestyle.
🕰️ Willingness to Be Inconvenienced
Waking up a bit earlier to brew your coffee builds discipline—and can make your mornings more meaningful.
🧘 Choosing Simplicity Over Luxury
You don’t need foam art or a name on a cup to enjoy great coffee. You just need good beans and a few minutes.
🔄 Breaking Auto-Pilot Spending Habits
Many people buy coffee out of habit, not need. Brewing at home helps you pause and spend mindfully.
💡 Creating and Staying Within Boundaries
If you're budgeting or cutting unnecessary expenses, swapping Starbucks for home coffee is a quick win that doesn’t feel like a sacrifice.
Upgrade Your Home Coffee Game with Kents Coffee
If you’re switching to home-brewed, quality matters. Cheap, bitter coffee won’t save you money if you can’t stand drinking it.
That’s why we recommend Kents Coffee—India’s bold, no-nonsense brand for coffee lovers who want better mornings.
Brazilian Boss – strong, smooth, bold flavor
Ethiopian Groove – light, floral, beginner-friendly
Indian Chill – earthy, robust, deeply satisfying
Freshly roasted, easy to brew, and way more affordable than your daily Starbucks run.
Conclusion: The Coffee Cost Showdown
If you drink coffee regularly, home brewing is the clear winner—both financially and practically.
Over a year, the savings can be massive. Pair that with great-tasting beans from brands like Kents Coffee, and you’re not sacrificing quality—you’re upgrading it.
So next time you're tempted to queue up for a ₹300 cup, just remember: your kitchen can make something better—for a lot less.
Comments