Have you ever wondered how drastically prices vary at different types of grocery stores? Me too. I recently visited eight grocery stores to compare prices for a set number of food items.

The results were shocking.

Here’s where I shopped:

Walmart

Super Target

Whole Foods

Trader Joe’s

ALDI

A local co-op

Traditional supermarket

High-end/gourmet grocery store

Grocery Store Price Comparisons: The Method

I made a list of 21 common grocery items. Then I went to the eight different grocery stores, located the items on my sample grocery list, and documented the prices. To maintain consistency, I located the cheapest of each grocery item. For example, most of the stores I visited had several types and/or brands of tomato sauce. But I chose to use the cheapest tomato sauce for purposes of this experiment.

A few things to note:

Cost vs. quality : This experiment is comparing cost only. There will obviously be differences in quality and taste among different brands. The fresh, grass-fed ground beef may taste better than frozen, grain-fed beef. The organic frozen sweet corn may taste better than the 88 cent bag. But for the purposes of this experiment, we are comparing cost only.

: This experiment is comparing cost only. There will obviously be differences in quality and taste among different brands. The fresh, grass-fed ground beef may taste better than frozen, grain-fed beef. The organic frozen sweet corn may taste better than the 88 cent bag. But for the purposes of this experiment, we are comparing cost only. Non-sale items : I sought out the lowest non-sale prices for each item (since sale prices are temporary).

: I sought out the lowest prices for each item (since sale prices are temporary). Pantry items vs. produce: I purposely avoided including produce in this experiment, since so many different factors affect the price of fruits and vegetables (season, location, weather, etc.)

Here are the results, starting with the most expensive grocery store:

#8: Co-Op

Pros: The best local and organic shopping choices. Also a good place to shop if you’re looking for allergy-friendly foods and other specialty products.

Cons: The cost. While the food is generally fresh, locally sourced, and healthy – it is expensive when compared to other types of grocery stores. Co-ops are great for those who can afford shopping there. But the cost at most co-ops may be out of reach for many budget shoppers.

Tomato sauce: $1.19

Spaghetti: $2.29

Chickpeas: $.99

Tuna: n/a

Chicken noodle soup: $3.59

Corn flakes: $3.99

Raisin bran: $3.99

Powdered sugar: $2.29

Granulated sugar: $3.99

All purpose flour: $5.99

Olive oil: $9.99

Potato chips: $4.99

Saltine crackers: $4.79

Orange juice: $3.29

Shredded cheddar cheese: $3.99

Ground beef: $6.49

Milk: $4.29

Sour cream: $2.69

Eggs: $2.89

Frozen corn: $3.29

Chocolate chips: $4.99

Total cost at local co-op: $82.99

#7: Whole Foods

Whole Food has the reputation of being very expensive. That said, I was surprised to find some reasonably priced food items while perusing the aisles. Most of these cheaper items were from 365 Everyday Value, the Whole Foods store brand.

Pros: Good selection of organic, allergy-friendly, and specialty diet food items.

Cons: Some food items at Whole Foods come in smaller packages than similar products at other grocery stores. For example, corn flakes at other grocery stores typically come in 18-ounce boxes. At Whole Foods, I could only find corn flakes in a 12-ounce box. This can give shoppers the false impression of low prices – when they are actually getting less product.

Tomato sauce: $.89

Spaghetti: $1.29

Chickpeas: $.89

Tuna: $2.59

Chicken noodle soup: $2.69

Corn flakes: $3.99

Raisin bran: $3.99

Powdered sugar: $4.99

Granulated sugar: $5.99

All purpose flour: $2.99

Olive oil: $5.99

Potato chips: $2.99

Saltine crackers: $2.99

Orange juice: $2.99

Shredded cheddar cheese: $5.99

Ground beef: $5.49

Milk: $3.49

Sour cream: $2.69

Eggs: $3.19

Frozen corn: $1.29

Chocolate chips: $3.19

Total cost at Whole Foods: $72.28

#6: High-End/Gourmet Supermarket

There is a gourmet grocery store less than one mile from where I live. I find myself shopping there too often, mostly because it’s so convenient. The food is quality, but the prices are high. One of my favorite tricks to save money at this grocery store is to use the salad bar to buy small amounts of specific ingredients that I need for a recipe. This helps me avoid buying large packages of food when I only need a small amount.

Pros: Good mix of classic brands and specialty food items. Convenience and quality; a positive shopping experience.

Cons: Prices at these grocery stores tend to be consistently higher than prices at other grocery stores that sell the same brands and products. The convenience factor can really add to your grocery bill.

Tomato sauce: $.75

Spaghetti: $1.79

Chickpeas: $1.29

Tuna: $1.09

Chicken noodle soup: $1.99

Corn flakes: $3.49

Raisin bran: $3.99

Powdered sugar: $2.29

Granulated sugar: $2.99

All purpose flour: $2.89

Olive oil: $6.39

Potato chips: $3.79

Saltine crackers: $2.99

Orange juice: $3.99

Shredded cheddar cheese: $3.49

Ground beef: $4.99

Milk: $3.29

Sour cream: $2.55

Eggs: $2.19

Frozen corn: $2.49

Chocolate chips: $3.09

Total cost at high-end grocery store: $64.20

#5: Trader Joe’s

I do most of my shopping at Trader Joe’s because the prices are reasonable and I like the food. However, a few of their food items are unusually high when compared to other grocery stores. In particular, sugar. A two-pound bag of cane sugar at Trader Joe’s cost $3.49. All of the other grocery stores sold sugar in four-pound bags, so to maintain consistency for this experiment, I had to “purchase” two bags of Trader Joe’s sugar, equaling $6.98. So while TJ’s generally has good prices, be sure to watch out for surprises like this.

Pros: Interesting food products, good organic selection.

Cons: Good – but not great – selection. I usually find about 90% of my grocery list at Trader Joe’s, which means that I usually have to go someplace else to finish my shopping.

Tomato sauce: $1.49

Spaghetti: $.99

Chickpeas: $.89

Tuna: $1.49

Chicken noodle soup: $1.49

Corn flakes: $2.49

Raisin bran: $2.99

Powdered sugar: $5.89

Granulated sugar: $6.98

All purpose flour: $2.99

Olive oil: $3.99

Potato chips: $1.99

Saltine crackers: $2.29

Orange juice: $1.99

Shredded cheddar cheese: $2.99

Ground beef: $3.99

Milk: $3.29

Sour cream: $1.79

Eggs: $1.79

Frozen corn: $1.29

Chocolate chips: $1.99

Total cost at Trader Joe’s: $56.86

#4: Traditional Supermarket

I couldn’t come up with a better name for traditional supermarket, but I think you know what I’m talking about: A large grocery store that stocks all types of food products as well as cleaning products, soap, paper towels, etc.

Pros: Best sales. For this experiment, I didn’t purchase sale items, rather opting for the food item with the lowest sticker price. If I had purchased sale items from this supermarket, my total bill would have come out to be even less than what is listed below.

Cons: Jack of all trades, master of none. While I can usually find everything on my shopping list, I’m never blown away by the quality or selection of products at traditional grocery stores. And I personally don’t think these stores are fun to shop at. Shopping here feels more like a chore than at other grocery stores.

Tomato sauce: $.57

Spaghetti: $1.29

Chickpeas: $1.09

Tuna: $.99

Chicken noodle soup: $.89

Corn flakes: $2.79

Raisin bran: $2.79

Powdered sugar: $1.89

Granulated sugar: $2.89

All purpose flour: $2.39

Olive oil: $5.79

Potato chips: $2.99

Saltine crackers: $2.69

Orange juice: $2.99

Shredded cheddar cheese: $2.49

Ground beef: $4.19

Milk: $3.29

Sour cream: $1.79

Eggs: $1.99

Frozen corn: $1.59

Chocolate chips: $2.69

Total cost at traditional supermarket: $53.36

#3: Target

The masses have spoken, and they love Target. As for their grocery selection, they have most of their bases covered. The Market Pantry brand products are very reasonably priced. Most of the prices listed below are Market Pantry products.

Pros: Get all your shopping done in one trip. Good balance between price and quality.

Cons: Am I the only person who dislikes shopping at Target? This is another place where shopping feels like a chore to me. Maybe it’s the fluorescent lighting and the crowds. That place is always packed.

Tomato sauce: $.39

Spaghetti: $1.04

Chickpeas: $.74

Tuna: $.82

Chicken noodle soup: $.77

Corn flakes: $2.99

Raisin bran: $2.39

Powdered sugar: $1.99

Granulated sugar: $2.49

All purpose flour: $1.72

Olive oil: $4.49

Potato chips: $2.99

Saltine crackers: $2.54

Orange juice: $2.94

Shredded cheddar cheese: $2.59

Ground beef: $3.49

Milk: $2.99

Sour cream: $1.59

Eggs: $2.19

Frozen corn: $1.14

Chocolate chips: $1.92

Total cost at Target: $46.25

#2: Walmart

Say what you will about Walmart, but there are definitely deals to be had at this store.

Pros: Familiar brands. Convenience (you can stock up on other household items while you’re there).

Cons: Limited organic selection with an abundance of highly processed food items.

Tomato sauce: $.33

Spaghetti: $1

Chickpeas: $.68

Tuna: $.74

Chicken noodle soup: $.62

Corn flakes: $1.98

Raisin bran: $2.24

Powdered sugar: $1.54

Granulated sugar: $1.88

All purpose flour: $1.96

Olive oil: $3.98

Potato chips: $1.98

Saltine crackers: $1.78

Orange juice: $1.28

Shredded cheddar cheese: $2.48

Ground beef: $3.58

Milk: $2.74

Sour cream: $1.48

Eggs: $1.98

Frozen corn: $.98

Chocolate chips: $2.50

Total cost at Walmart: $39.71

#1: ALDI

ALDI was the overall winner for the lowest-cost groceries. There is a major price difference between ALDI and the co-op. ALDI groceries cost $33.60 while co-op groceries cost $82.99. If you are on a strict food budget, ALDI is a great place to shop. And in talking to friends who shop here regularly, all were impressed with the quality of food.

Pros: The cheapest prices overall. A small but growing selection of organic products.

Cons: Good – but not great – selection. You may not find everything on your shopping list at ALDI.

Tomato sauce: $.25

Spaghetti: $.89

Chickpeas: $.89

Tuna: $.69

Chicken noodle soup: $.79

Corn flakes: $1.49

Raisin bran: $1.99

Powdered sugar: $1.19

Granulated sugar: $1.36

All purpose flour: $1.55

Olive oil: $2.59

Potato chips: $1.49

Saltine crackers: $.99

Orange juice: $2.39

Shredded cheddar cheese: $2.99

Ground beef: $2.39

Milk: $2.80

Sour cream: $1.29

Eggs: $1.75

Frozen corn: $.95

Chocolate chips: $1.59

Total cost at ALDI: $33.60

Final Thoughts and Further Information

Here are the prices again:

Now I want to hear from you! Where do you shop? Do you prefer one type of grocery store over another? What is the most important factor in determining where you shop?

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