Grocery shopping can quickly rack up the dollar signs each month, especially when feeding and caring for an entire family. Luckily, these two corporate centers exist to offer affordable brands for the shopper on a budget (or the shopper with a frugal personality). And who doesn’t want to save a nice chunk of change? The big question is, though, can you really save more at one store or another?
Let’s find out.
We’ve compared the brand names of both stores in different departments to see how they stack up against one another. Here are the results:*
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Produce:
| Item | Aldi | Walmart |
|---|---|---|
| Gala Apples | $2.99 ($0.99/lb) | $0.98 ($0.98/lb) |
| Bananas | $0.39 ($0.39/lb) | $0.52 ($0.52/lb) |
| Yellow Onions | $1.89 ($0.63/lb) | $1.94 ($0.65/lb) |
| Organic Carrots | $0.99 ($0.99/lb) | $1.94 ($1.94/lb) |
Dairy:
| Item | Aldi | Walmart |
|---|---|---|
| Shredded Cheese | $2.99 ($0.18/oz for 16 oz) | $2.34 ($0.29/oz for 8 oz) |
| Milk | $1.79 ($1.79/gallon) | $2.14 ($2.14/gallon) |
| Butter | $2.89 ($0.72/stick) | $3.44 ($0.86/stick) |
| Eggs | $0.99 ($0.08/egg) | $2.57 ($0.21/egg) |
Meat/Fish:
| Item | Aldi | Walmart |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh Ground Beef | $3.29 ($3.29/lb) | $2.92 ($2.92/lb) |
| Burgers | $9.49 ($3.16/lb) | $8.74 ($4.37/lb) |
| Tilapia | $3.49 ($3.49/lb) | $6.98 ($3.49/lb) |
| Bacon | $3.89 ($3.89/lb) | $4.78 ($4.78/lb) |
Baking:
| Item | Aldi | Walmart |
|---|---|---|
| Chocolate Chips | $1.79 ($0.16/oz) | $1.98 ($0.17/oz) |
| Brown Sugar | $1.29 ($0.65/lb) | $1.58 ($0.79/lb) |
| Flour | $1.19 ($0.24/lb) | $1.72 ($0.34/lb) |
| Extra Virgin Olive Oil | $3.49 ($0.21/ounce) | $5.46 ($0.21/ounce) |
Miscellaneous:
| Item | Aldi | Walmart |
|---|---|---|
| Laundry Detergent | $6.99 ($0.07/oz) | $4.97 ($0.03/oz) |
| Toilet Paper | $5.49 ($0.45/roll) | $4.97 ($0.41/roll) |
| Trash Bags | $4.99 ($0.06/bag) | $6.98 ($0.08/bag) |
| Diapers | $4.99 ($0.14/diaper) | $5.97 ($0.17/diaper) |
*Prices may vary by location. For personal use only. This chart should only be used as a reference point and does not take into account weekly sales at each store.
Overall, through our research, it appears that Aldi’s brand is less expensive than Walmart’s store products for most items. According to the chart above, certain items that do have a higher price tag at Aldi, like the burgers, are still cheaper by the unit due to offering more per package. With coupons, though, Walmart could potentially be cheaper. However, cutting coupons can also cost you in time. Walmart’s buildings are also quite expansive, offering a variety of brands as well as an overwhelming amount of options, which can also add up in time spent running an errand like grocery shopping. A benefit of choosing Walmart is they do offer to match the price of items if you show them proof of cost from a competing local store, but you would need to decide if the hassle of finding lower prices on your entire grocery list is worth it to you instead of just choosing the generally cheaper choice. You can read more details about their policies here.
It is significant to reflect on the reality that cheaper may not always better. Sometimes, the lower valued items come at a cost: quality. While Aldi stores do offer some organic food, other items like razors, could fail to meet the mark. In the same breath, the store brands can be equal to if not better than the well-known production companies. Much of it depends upon personal preference for items such as toilet paper and paper towels.
While prices do vary by location, it seems that no matter where you are, Aldi works hard at holding true to offering lower prices than their competitors. Which do you prefer? Walmart or Aldi?
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