Cheapism has compared grocery prices for 41 common food items at three different types of stores: Walmart, the one-stop superstore; Aldi, a growing chain of discount supermarkets; and Kroger, the nation’s largest traditional grocery store. Aldi had the lowest prices on 80% of the products in our survey (33 out of 41).
For shoppers who favor national brands (which Aldi doesn’t carry), Walmart offered lower prices than Kroger. Still, Kroger’s wider selection will appeal to shoppers who want to make sure to get everything on their grocery list in a single trip.
Read on to compare prices from the freezer section to the dairy case to the produce department, as surveyed in stores in the same western Ohio market area in November 2019. Prices and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Pantry Staples | Winner: Aldi
Aldi: $5.26Walmart: $5.62Kroger: $6.75
Savings at Aldi: 28% vs. Kroger, 7% vs. Walmart
Frozen Food | Winner: Aldi
Aldi: $9.34Walmart: $12.72Kroger: $13.71
Savings at Aldi: 32% vs. Kroger, 27% vs. Walmart
Dairy | Winner: Aldi
Aldi: $11.91Walmart: $12.81Kroger: $14.64
Savings at Aldi: 19% vs. Kroger, 7% vs. Walmart
Meat | Winner: Aldi
Aldi: $15.05Walmart: $18.55Kroger: $20.65
Savings at Aldi: 27% vs. Kroger, 19% vs. Walmart
Produce | Winner: Aldi
Aldi: $10.67Walmart: $11.28Kroger: $14.25
Savings at Aldi: 25% vs. Kroger, 5% vs. Walmart
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Grains | Winner: Aldi
Aldi: $5.59Walmart: $6.06Kroger: $7.17
Savings at Aldi: 22% vs. Kroger, 8% vs. Walmart
Condiments | Winner: Aldi
Aldi: $5.20Walmart: $6.65Kroger: $8.38
Savings at Aldi: 38% vs. Kroger, 22% vs. Walmart
Cereal, Snacks, and Beverages | Winner: Aldi
Aldi: $4.32Walmart: $4.54Kroger: $5.27
Savings at Aldi: 18% vs. Kroger, 5% vs. Walmart
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Full Shopping List | Winner: Aldi
While Walmart sometimes outpriced Aldi on individual products, the small grocery store took the title of savings leader in every grocery category we surveyed. Aldi shaved up to 25% off our total food bill when we shopped for store brands, with the full list ringing up at $67.34 compared with $78.23 at Walmart (14% savings) and $90.82 at Kroger (25% savings), or $88.65 with a Kroger Plus loyalty card (24% savings).
Name Brands | Winner: Walmart
For the lowest prices on longtime favorites like Heinz ketchup and Kraft Singles, which are not available at Aldi, Walmart is the place. In our separate survey of name-brand products, Walmart was 18% cheaper than big-name supermarket Kroger; 9% with discounts from a Kroger Plus card.
Selection | Winner: Kroger
Not a single product was cheapest at Kroger — even taking into account items that were on sale for Kroger Plus Card holders. But consumers who value a wide range of choices over lower cost likely will be more satisfied with a traditional grocery store. Kroger offers a greater variety of products, including a wider selection of specialty items, better quality produce, and more options for fresh and prepared foods. With limited stock on many supermarket shelves right now, it certainly pays to consider all options.
