Wondering what's the cheapest grocery store near me? Which grocery store saves you the most money? Take a look at this massive price comparison of four of the biggest grocery chains to see how they fare. let's find outwhat is the cheapest grocery store
I've always been a frugal shopper who loves to shop for the best deals. As a growing single-income family, I have to spend our money. I've recently noticed that some of my favorite grocery stores don't seem as cheap as they used to. Naturally, this sent me on a quest to find the cheapest grocery store in my area.
Being a frugal grocery shopper, I'm regularly asked questions like...
- Is Walmart or Aldi cheaper?
- Is Meijer cheaper than Kroger?
- Is Kroger cheaper than Walmart?
- Is Aldi cheaper than Kroger?
- Is Walmart cheaper than Kroger?
- And of course Aldi is cheaper than Walmart?
Those are all good questions I want to answer!
I live in northern Indiana and have compared Meijer and Kroger to Aldi and Walmart. I like Meijer for their amazing meat sales. I like Aldi for the fast and economical shopping experience. I love the sales at Kroger! And Walmart? Walmart isn't my favorite grocery store, but it's a budget option where you can get everything at once.
This project might be one of my biggest grocery shopping projects to date andI was honestly amazed at what I discovered in my search for the cheapest grocery store.I'm so excited to share all the details with you here today!
Make yourself comfortable. Lots of details and prizes and statistics are waiting for you! Ready?Let me tell you how I found the cheapest grocery store.
Note: I first ran this price comparison in 2019 and updated it in 2021. Withthe rapidly rising inflation,I did a complete update in May 2022 to help us all save money on our groceries.
Dies …
How did I search for the cheapest grocery store?
I looked at the stores that had the greatest reach. Walmart is a national chain that promotes low prices.Is Walmart really the lowest? Aldi claims to beat Walmart, but do they really?Meijer and Kroger are considered upscale grocery stores but have a wide reach with great sales. For this price comparison, I have selected these four shops for comparison.
I startedMake a list of the most common foods that every household would use.Then I added some more specific articles that our family uses regularly. Finally I askedthe Joyfully Thriving Facebook page for their feedback and received many great requests for items to add to the list.
I wanted a fair representation of different areas of the grocery store, so I focused on 10 different shopping categories. The categories I used were:
- dairy
- pantry
- canned goods
- Spices
- Bakery products
- meat
- Frozen
- Papier
- Personal Products
- diapers
I made a list of 183 items in 10 categories that I compared across all 4 stores.
I made a huge spreadsheet of all the grocery items and then started comparing prices in stores. I walked around the store and wrote down the prices of everything on my list. Some products were brand specific, but many were simply for the cheapest generic version available in the store. I have not included fresh products in this price comparison, as they vary greatly depending on the season.
To allow for a true comparison I have used daily prices and have not included sales in this list.
Please note that prices vary in different parts of the country. These prices are Northern Indiana prices as of May 2022. Wherever you live, I still believe you can use these results to save money on your grocery bill.
What are the cheapest grocery store results?
After multiple shopping sprees at stores and researching various store apps, my list was finally complete. Once I found the overall prices, I went through them and started comparing prices to see which was the cheapest grocery store.
First, I went through and highlighted the absolute lowest price for each item. If there was a deal tied to the price, those two deals were highlighted.
Comparing the results, I found that several trades were only pennies apart. If you've already shopped at a store, it makes sense to shop for other items that are still a bargain. With that in mind, I went through the lists again, marking each price that was less than 5 cents from the lowest price. This gave them a mark for the second lowest price.
Then I added up the totals – both in numbers and in percentage (out of 183). Here's what I found.
| Results 2022 | Aldi | Meijer | hook | Walmart |
| lowest price | 115 | 22 | 17 | 68 |
| second lowest | 14 | 14 | 6 | 37 |
| Overall lowest | 121 | 36 | 23 | 105 |
| lowest price | 63% | 12% | 9% | 37% |
| second lowest | 3% | 8% | 3% | 20% |
| Overall lowest | 66% | 20% | 12% | 57% |
As you can see, Aldi had the lowest prices and Kroger had the lowest. There were some categories where all 4 stores have prices within a cent, but only a few.
Aldi had the lowest prices for two-thirds of the items on my master comparison list.That is much! This makes me want to shop there even though they don't always have everything I need.
Years ago, Meijer was my go-to place to stock up on everything cheaply - but not anymore! I was really surprised how few of the lowest prices Meijer had.Meijer really doesn't have the best deals on very many things.
Aldi was the cheapest in almost a third of the categories. What I found interesting was that they had the lowest prices for over 100 items, but the second lowest for only 14.If Aldi isn't the lowest price, they really aren't in the running to be the cheapest at all.Since Aldi does not carry everything, there were also some items on the list that could not be compared at Aldi.
Kroger is definitely the most expensive if you shop without sales! Quiet,Kroger has many amazing deals that beat Aldi's daily low prices.This chart doesn't account for sales, so it's difficult to show them. Kroger also has gas rewards and more digital coupons, both of which Aldi and Walmart don't have. This is definitely something to consider when comparing prices.
What is the cheapest grocery store?
If you stick to the daily low prices in store,The clear winner for cheapest grocery store in 2022 is Aldi.Walmart is second, followed by Meijer and Kroger.
But maybe you're still wondering...
What is the cheapest grocery store near me?
Aldi is the cheapest grocery store for me. But what if you don't have an Aldi nearby?
Walmart is probably the cheapest grocery store in the whole country. I say probably because Walmart doesn't have any specials, so that's a factor because you can save a lot of money on groceries by shopping on specials.
To find the cheapest grocery store near you,Do your own quick price comparison at your local grocery stores.
Start by making a list of 20-25 items that you buy regularly. I don't recommend doing more than that in the beginning because I don't want to overwhelm you. (Trust me. 183 items is a LOT!) Pick the 2 dozen items you use the most each week and start there.
Then make a list of grocery stores in your area. Be sure to include the places you shop regularly, as well as those you haven't shopped recently. Perhaps you will be surprised by your findings!
Next, take your list and rate these 25 products at different grocery stores. Quick tip. Many grocery stores have great websites or apps where you can check prices from the comfort of your own home. Unfortunately, at Aldi you have to venture into the store to see the actual prices.
Hopefully, once you've compared prices at your nearest stores, it's clear which is the cheapest grocery store in your area. I'd love to know what you found your cheapest grocery store in the comments!
How have grocery store prices increased?
This is the third time I've done this price comparison. I did it in 2019 and 2021. Here are the 2021 results. While prices have definitely increased over the past year, Aldi is still the winner as it was back in 2021. Here are the 2021 results.
| Results 2021 | Aldi | Meijer | hook | Walmart |
| lowest price | 114 | fifteen | 16 | 52 |
| second lowest | 4 | 12 | 4 | 45 |
| Overall lowest | 118 | 27 | 20 | 97 |
| lowest price | 62% | 8% | 9% | 28% |
| second lowest | 2% | 7% | 2% | 25% |
| Overall lowest | 64% | fifteen% | 11% | 53% |
I did the original research in 2019 when Walmart was the cheapest. Here are the 2019 results.
| Results 2019 | Aldi | Meijer | hook | Walmart |
| lowest price | 56 | fifteen | 26 | 97 |
| second lowest | 3 | 11 | 16 | 32 |
| Overall lowest | 59 | 26 | 42 | 129 |
| lowest price | 31% | 8% | fifteen% | 54% |
| second lowest | 2% | 6% | 9% | 18% |
| Overall lowest | 33% | fifteen% | 24% | 72% |
I will always go where the prices are lowest to stretch our money the furthest.That's why I shop at Aldi more often.
At the same time, with gas prices rising so much, we need to be smart shoppers. Gone are the days of just walking into a store. We need to combine errands and shop wisely.
For me, I buy the amazing sales at Kroger because their retail prices usually beat the daily low prices at Aldi and Walmart. Then once or twice a month I make a supply trip to Aldi, where prices are lowest, to fill in the gaps. That's how it is for me right now, but I'm constantly re-evaluating myself for being a smart shopper.
How do I use this information for grocery shopping?
It's good to know what the cheapest grocery store is because now it can affect how we shop.
Now I have a list of what to buy from Aldi and what to buy elsewhere. I've also used these prices to create a stock list with the best prices for each item - so you can keep an eye out for sales at each store to beat these daily prices. (This list is included in my printable food e-book. See below for more on this.)
If you mainly shop in one store - make it Aldi.
My plan? I plan to shop more regularly at Aldi again and add to the sale at Kroger – and the occasional meat sale at Meijer. Walmart will still be my go-to when I need pickup at a great price because their prices are close to Aldi on some things.
It's funny, because when I first did this research, I switched from an Aldi shopper to a Walmart shopper — to save money. Now? I'm switching back because I'm a frugal buyer.I shop where prices are lowest to save money.
I will also be using the store apps more regularly to check prices. This is incredibly helpful and convenient! I've done it a few times in the Kroger aisle to compare prices at Walmart to see if I should buy it from Kroger or wait until Walmart. It's gone both ways, but sometimes the price difference is pretty big!
Want more information on the cheapest grocery store?
Would you like to see all the latest figures and compare the prices yourself?
I've put way too much information together to share in one blog post. This blog post is quite long, but I could share more. If you want a copy of all my charts with prices and stats, feel free to do that!I've compiled all of my research into a 45-page printable e-book - with lots of detailed lists!
What lists are included in the e-book?
- Master price comparison (with all 4 shops and their prices)
- Lowest and second lowest price
- Prices from 2019 and 2021
- Stock prices (category)
- Storage prices (alphabetical)
- Best Places to Buy (Category)
- Best Places to Buy (alphabetically)
- Aldi shopping list
- Meijer shopping list
- Kroger shopping list
- Walmart shopping list
Just enter your email address in the box below and I'll send you a download link for the entire PDF right away! It will also add you to my weekly newsletter list for more grocery saving tips and insights to share with you!
Find out more about how you can save money when shopping with...
- How to prepare for food inflation in 2022
- Here's how to build a stash today
- The 25 best things to buy at Sam's Club
FAQs
Which supermarket is cheapest 2022? ›
Which was the cheapest supermarket in December 2022? Latest research by Which? has determined that Aldi was the cheapest supermarket for December 2022, with Lidl a close second.
What's cheaper than Walmart? ›What is the cheapest grocery store? If you are going by the everyday low prices at the store, the clear winner to the cheapest grocery store in 2022 is Aldi. Walmart is a runner up, with Meijer and Kroger trailing behind.
Which is cheaper Aldi or Costco? ›Costco is the overall “winner”, having the lower prices on the most items, however the margin is small. Costco has lower prices on 38 items, Aldi has lower prices on 30 items, and the stores were the same on 18 items. Costco is the clear winner for pantry/dry good items.
What grocery has the best deals? ›...
Best Discount Grocery Stores to Shop
- Aldi. ...
- Walmart. ...
- Smart & Final. ...
- Food4Less. ...
- Publix. ...
- Family Dollar and Dollar Tree. ...
- Imperfect Foods. Imperfect Foods. ...
- Misfit Market. Misfits Market.
- 2 5lb bags bulk chicken leg quarters – $5.90 (Walmart)
- 10 lbs ground turkey – $10 (H-E-B)
- Eggs – 1 dozen – $0.69 (Aldi)
- 1 package of corn tortillas (80 count) – $1.98 (Aldi)
- 1 lb. ...
- Shredded cheese 1 lb – $2.99 (Aldi)
- 1 package of baby spinach – $1.98 (H-E-B)
- Shop on a full stomach. ...
- Go armed with a list and stick to it, especially if your kids are “helping”.
- Plan your meals for the week before you shop and then buy what's on the menu. ...
- Shop only once a week. ...
- Shop when you have energy and aren't worn out from a busy day.
- Breakfast: Cheerios with milk and a banana, plus the free coffee I get from my office.
- Mid-morning snack: Granola bar or orange.
- Lunch: Whole wheat pasta dressed up with butter and salt.
- Dinner: Fried eggs, a side of rice, and a glass of milk.
Aldi tops the list for low prices. There are many reasons we each have our go-to grocery store—from a convenient location to the fresh produce or friendly cashiers.
Who is cheaper Costco or Walmart? ›Costco is known for its ultra-low prices on bulk items. But Walmart offers really low prices, too. As such, it's very hard to say which of the two stores offers the best deals, because often, that will boil down to the specific things you're looking for.
Is Trader Joe's cheaper than Walmart? ›Trader Joe's is more expensive than Aldi and Walmart for nearly every grocery item, with a few notable exceptions.
Why is Target better than Walmart? ›
Target seems to provide more of the upgraded shopping experience for shoppers and more premium design products. Since Target's biggest competitor is Walmart, many people know Walmart has lower prices and better bargains while Target has the higher quality products and the store is neater.
Is Aldi better than Trader Joe's? ›Aldi is for customers looking for major savings and the absolute lowest grocery prices, and Trader Joe's is for customers willing to pay a premium for specialized products. Both chains use their private-label brands in pursuit of these distinct groups of shoppers.
Is Sam's Club cheaper than Walmart? ›Caveats aside, Sam's Club came out ahead on almost every product. On a per-item basis, it cost around 25% less than Walmart and almost 10% less than Costco.
Is Costco meat cheaper? ›As to the cost of the steaks themselves, in general, Costco meat prices will be cheaper per pound than at specialty butcher shops and many higher-end grocery stores like Whole Foods, but potentially on par with or even more expensive per pound than what you'd pay at, say, Safeway or Wal-mart (especially when those ...
Who is the cheapest supermarket? ›The cheapest supermarket in 2022 overall was Aldi. It was cheaper than others for seven consecutive months, with Lidl just missing the top spot.
What's cheaper Walmart or Target? ›...
1. Target beats Walmart for baby formula and diapers.
- Eggs, 2 1/2 dozen. $2.69.
- Potatoes, 10 lbs. $2.89.
- Carrots, 2lbs. $0.99.
- Cabbage, 2 heads. $1.98.
- Onions, 3lbs. $0.69.
- Corn tortillas, 2pkgs (60). $2.56.
- Pinto beans, 2lbs. $1.78.
- Salsa, 1 jar. $1.69.
Feeding Two Adults
Here are the USDA weekly grocery spending guidelines for households with one adult female and one adult male: Thrifty: $119.40. Low-cost: $122.90. Moderate-cost: $152.30.
For a low-cost budget for a family of four, you can plan on spending $234.10 a week or between $936.40 and $1,014 a month. Moderate-cost plan. For a moderate budget for a family of four, you would spend $291.50 a week for groceries or between $1,166 and $1,263.5 a month.
How can I spend $60 a week on groceries? ›...
Here's what I try to keep in my pantry at all times:
- Rice (Brown rice, white rice, jasmine rice)
- Canned beans.
- Canned vegetables, including tomatoes.
- Rolled oats.
- Peanut butter.
- Salsa.
- Pasta and pasta sauce.
How can I spend $100 a week on food? ›
- 1 lb frozen ground beef.
- 1 lb frozen pork breakfast sausage.
- 2 ham steaks.
- 3 lb package chicken thighs.
- 3 dozen eggs.
- 16 oz package shredded cheddar cheese.
- 16 oz package shredded mozzarella cheese.
- 1 lb deli meat, your choice.
- 1.) Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. This one's a bit obvious, but PB&J is a classic staple and a REALLY simple meal. ...
- 2.) Pasta and jarred sauce. ...
- 3.) Bean and cheese burritos. ...
- 4.) Pancakes/waffles. ...
- 5.) Grilled cheese sandwiches. ...
- 6.) Chili cheese dogs. ...
- 7.) Sloppy Joes. ...
- 8.) Goulash.
If you're a single adult, depending on your age and sex (the USDA estimates are higher for men and lower for both women and men 71 and older), look to spend between $229 and $419 each month on groceries. For a two-adult household, the figure above will double: $458 to $838.
How much is a weeks worth of groceries for 1 person? ›Single adults: $59 – $91 per week, or $236 – $364 per month.
How much should a single person spend on groceries a month? ›The average cost of food per month for one person ranges from $150 to $300, depending on age. However, these national averages vary based on where you live and the quality of your food purchases.
Is Aldi or Walmart cheaper for groceries? ›Getting straight to the punch: Yes, ALDI does continue to beat Walmart on price in 2022. But, the pricing gap between the two stores has narrowed significantly in most categories, and Walmart has even moved into the lead in a couple. ALDI is still cheaper than Walmart in 2022 — but, the gap has narrowed!
Is Costco really cheap? ›Costco is known as a low-price leader, but as the big-box and warehouse store landscape becomes more and more competitive, it's getting harder to find unbeatable deals. Despite this, Costco still has some major purchasing power, which helps it keep costs way low.
Are Costco eggs cheaper? ›“Costco still has better prices on eggs than other grocery stores; two dozen cage-free eggs at Costco is around $7 in my area, but a dozen standard eggs at other grocery stores may cost $6 and change, or even more,” said Ramhold.
Is chicken cheaper at Walmart or Costco? ›Walmart's store brand of fresh whole chickens aren't organic, but they are labeled cage free, they're also about 20 cents cheaper per pound, and you don't have to buy two, as you do at Costco.
What is cheaper Amazon or Costco? ›Amazon Shopping Experience. After shopping at a physical Costco Wholesale location and browsing Amazon for 38 identical items, LendEDU found that, on average, products on Amazon are 56.48 percent more expensive than the same goods found at the Costco store.
Who is Trader Joe's biggest competitor? ›
Trader Joe's competitors include Whole Foods Market, Fairway Market, Walmart, Meijer and NatureBox. Trader Joe's ranks 1st in Overall Culture Score on Comparably vs its competitors.
Is Trader Joe's owned by Aldi? ›According to Reader's Digest, Trader Joe's founder Joe Coulombe sold his business to Theo Albrecht in 1979, officially making the Albrecht family the proud owners of both prosperous markets. Since Aldi is split into two, per Forbes, Trader Joe's was officially bought by the Aldi Nord branch.
Does Trader Joe's offer senior discounts? ›Trader Joe's
The whimsical store offers a wide range of unique products. But that is not accompanied by a senior discount.
- Crowded grocery shopping is one of the worst experiences of day-to-day life.
- If you want to save money, shop on Wednesdays or Thursdays.
- Avoid grocery shopping on Saturdays at all costs.
Costco is king for bulk purchases
Target does offer some items in larger quantities. But if you're loading up on bulk essentials, Costco is probably going to be your best source for the lowest prices.
- Amazon is a global eCommerce powerhouse and Walmart's top competitor. ...
- Costco is a members-only wholesale retailer and competes with Walmart and its subsidiaries. ...
- Best Buy is a consumer electronics retailer with 1779 stores in North America.
Key points. Trader Joe's is the place to go if you love food and trying new products (and saving money in the process). You can try any product for free and return things you don't like for a refund. The store locations have a fun atmosphere and there are no coupons to clip or membership cards to sign up for.
What are some weaknesses of Trader Joe's? ›- Product recalls. Trader Joe's has had some product recalls in the past that hurt its brand image. ...
- Geographical limitation. Trader Joe's has heavily invested in the American market and has about 560 stores across U.S. states. ...
- Lack of deliveries. ...
- Discouraging customer reviews.
Trader Joe's is definitely cheaper than the average grocery store, but you might have to wait in a longer checkout line to take advantage of them.
How can I get a Sam's Club membership for free? ›If you've been meaning to join Sam's Club, this is an easy way to save money. Once you make your first in-store purchase of $45 or more, you'll essentially be getting a free membership.
Which is better for groceries Costco or Sam's Club? ›
Better quality
Both stores offer quality goods, but Costco has the edge over Sam's Club on this one. The quality of Costco's fresh produce is often considered better as well as the taste of its baked goods like cakes and cookies.
Guest membership charges a 10% service fee / surcharge per online order. Guest membership is not available in-club or for making club purchases. Curbside Pickup and Scan & Go are exclusive to members and not available for guests. Café and liquor purchases do not require an active Membership.
Why is chicken so cheap at Costco? ›Instead, the store keeps the prices low on its famous rotisserie chickens and other staples as an incentive to get shoppers in the door. While the retail grocery chain is technically losing money on their famous chicken, the price is also subsidized by the fact that shoppers have to pay a Costco membership fee.
What is the cheapest piece of meat you can buy? ›- Chicken Leg Quarters.
- Chicken Thighs.
- Chicken Drumsticks.
- Pork Shoulder and Pork Butt.
- Ham.
- Ground beef.
- Beef Chuck Roast.
- “London Broil”
For a family of four in 2022, your spending on groceries should fall between $875 – $1,287 a month. You can also look at your recommended grocery spending based on a percentage of your income.
How can I save on groceries 2022? ›- Pick up produce in the freezer section. ...
- Don't shop hop to chase deals. ...
- Think outside your usual grocery store. ...
- Download the Flashfood app. ...
- Start your meal planning with a bag of rice. ...
- Buy your beef from a local farm and in bulk.
Costco is known for its ultra-low prices on bulk items. But Walmart offers really low prices, too. As such, it's very hard to say which of the two stores offers the best deals, because often, that will boil down to the specific things you're looking for.
Is $200 a month enough for groceries? ›Dear Readers, An individual who benefits from the Federal Food Assistance Program receives an average of $200 per month. That's roughly $6.66 per day which could easily be spent on a single prepared meal – for one. Eating well on a limited budget requires thoughtful planning and cooking more meals at home from scratch.
How can I cut my grocery bill by 90 percent? ›- Shop at discount grocery stores like Aldi or Trader Joes. ...
- Compare prices between stores — even if it means driving to a few different ones at first. ...
- Plan your meals for the week based on what's on sale. ...
- Clip coupons and look for discount codes. ...
- Always, always, always eat your leftovers.
The average cost of food per month for one person ranges from $150 to $300, depending on age. However, these national averages vary based on where you live and the quality of your food purchases. Here's a monthly grocery budget for the average family.
Is Aldi owned by Trader Joe's? ›
According to Reader's Digest, Trader Joe's founder Joe Coulombe sold his business to Theo Albrecht in 1979, officially making the Albrecht family the proud owners of both prosperous markets. Since Aldi is split into two, per Forbes, Trader Joe's was officially bought by the Aldi Nord branch.
How can I keep my grocery bill under $30 a week? ›- Breakfast: Cheerios with milk and a banana, plus the free coffee I get from my office.
- Mid-morning snack: Granola bar or orange.
- Lunch: Whole wheat pasta dressed up with butter and salt.
- Dinner: Fried eggs, a side of rice, and a glass of milk.
2. Is the standard Costco Gold Star Membership worth it? The standard Costco Gold Star membership is going to run you $60 per year. If you have a small family — or even if you live alone — and don't have a lot of space to store bulk food, I would say that any Costco membership won't be worth it for you.
Are eggs cheaper at Costco? ›“Costco still has better prices on eggs than other grocery stores; two dozen cage-free eggs at Costco is around $7 in my area, but a dozen standard eggs at other grocery stores may cost $6 and change, or even more,” said Ramhold.
Is Sam's cheaper than Walmart? ›Caveats aside, Sam's Club came out ahead on almost every product. On a per-item basis, it cost around 25% less than Walmart and almost 10% less than Costco.