Is Aldi Cheaper Than Walmart – Here’s Our Price Comparison

Comparing the prices and overall experience of Aldi and Walmart can help you make an informed decision and save those extra few dollars. Although both Aldi and Walmart have their unique qualities, which one is actually cheaper when it comes to your grocery expenses?

Generally speaking, Aldi is cheaper than Walmart with independent research finding at least 15% in savings between the two stores. However much of this is attributed to their limited selection of name brands. It also depends on factors such as location, inflation, and specific item categories.

Your focus should always be on finding the best value for your money while satisfying your grocery needs. I’ll break down a few main categories you can shop in for both stores, and show you how the pricing compares so you’ll get much better idea if Aldi is actually cheaper than Walmart for your specific needs. Lets get into it!

Who Comes Out On Top For Low Prices?

A few factors can impact pricing at both Aldi and Walmart. One major component is the brand of the item. Aldi is known for offering more than 90% of its products as Aldi brands, which are generally cheaper than their name-brand counterparts. Walmart, on the other hand, offers a mix of name-brand and store-brand items.

Another factor to consider is the store’s location. Prices may vary depending on the region or city due to factors such as cost of living and transportation expenses.

That being said, independent research in markets like Houston and Chicago has shown that Aldi’s prices are around 15% cheaper than Walmart, making Aldi the more affordable option when it comes to grocery shopping.

Don’t forget that other variables can also play a role in your final grocery bill, such as special offers, promotions, or loyalty programs offered by each store.

To get as fair of a comparison as possible between Aldi and Walmart, we’ll need to examine identical or similar products. So I think it’ll be best to focus on comparing store-brand items, as they reflect the retailer’s pricing strategy.

In addition, I’ll include products from various categories such as meat, produce, and pantry staples.

Aisle 1: Produce Prices

One of the fairest areas we can do this comparison is with produce. Stores usually source their produce locally from the same farms in the area, so you can find the same types of items and quality in this regard. Let’s take a stroll down the produce aisle to compare prices between Aldi and Walmart.

Fruits And Veggies Cost Comparison

While both Aldi and Walmart offer competitive prices on produce, Aldi often comes out ahead in terms of savings. For instance, a comparison here shows that shoppers can find lower prices on items like apples, bananas, and potatoes at Aldi. Here’s a table showcasing the pricing differences between the two stores:

Produce Item	Aldi Price Range	Walmart Price Range
Apples	$0.99 – $1.69/lb	$1.14 – $1.98/lb
Bananas	$0.44 – $0.59/lb	$0.49 – $0.67/lb
Potatoes	$1.49 – $2.99/5lb	$1.97 – $3.99/5lb

Keep in mind, prices may vary depending on your location and the specific store you’re shopping at. However, the percentages are likely similar.

Although both stores provide fresh fruits and vegetables, some customers claim that Aldi’s produce can be slightly inconsistent in quality. Walmart might offer a wider selection of brand name produce, while Aldi focuses on offering their own private-label items which contributes to their lower prices.

Aisle 2: Meat Department and Seafood Markdowns

You’ve just entered the meat department, and you’re curious about the price differences between Aldi and Walmart. Meat and especially seafood is certainly a tricky area these days, especially with all the inflation. I think might be surprised with who comes out the winner here with these prices!

Is Aldi’s meat selection more affordable than Walmart’s?

Aldi and Walmart both offer competitive prices on their meat products, but the affordability may vary depending on the type of meat and the current market conditions. In my research, I’ve found that Walmart comes out cheaper quite often in the meat department.

It’s not by much of course, just a dollar here and there. Much of it can be attributed to promotions and likely that Walmart has better deals with suppliers here.

When it comes to beef, poultry, and pork, prices can fluctuate between the two stores. Here’s a brief table showing some average prices for these meats at Aldi and Walmart:

Meat Item	Walmart Price	Aldi Price
Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts, 1 lb.	$5.98	$2.29
USDA Choice Beef Ribeye Steak, 16 oz.	$19.97	$12.99
Fresh Boneless Pork Loin Chops, 1 lb.	$4.52	$2.99

Seafood Steals And Splurges

When it comes to seafood, the pricing can be a bit more volatile due to market fluctuations. In some cases, Aldi’s seafood prices may change to reflect the current market, while a large retailer like Walmart can afford to maintain low and steady prices on their seafood offerings. Here’s some of the pricing you can expect.

Seafood Item	Walmart Price	Aldi Price
Fresh Atlantic Salmon, 1 lb.	$9.96	$8.99
Frozen Tilapia Fillets, 32 oz.	$6.98	$5.99
Frozen Cooked Shrimp, 12 oz.	$7.98	$5.69
Frozen Cod Fillets, 32 oz.	$10.98	$9.99
Canned Tuna, 5 oz.	$0.98	$0.69

As you can see with current inflation in the seafood market, Aldi is coming out much cheaper for the same products. Usually a dollar difference overall.

Aisle 3: Dairy Discounts

Let’s dive into the dairy aisle at both Aldi and Walmart to see where you can find the best deals.

Milk, Eggs, Yogurt And Cheese Faceoff

When browsing the dairy aisle, it’s essential to compare the prices of common items such as milk, eggs, yogurt, and cheese. For instance, Aldi offers cheaper options for these items compared to Walmart because of their own brands being primarily sold in that area.

And generally speaking, you’ll find Aldi’s store brands to be less expensive and of similar quality. Particularly, Aldi’s milk and eggs tend to have lower prices compared to Walmart, making your shopping trip more budget-friendly. Here’s a chart comparing those current prices in 2023.

Dairy Item	Walmart Price	Aldi Price
Whole Milk, 1 gallon	$2.98	$1.45
Large Grade A Eggs, 12 count	$1.48	$0.79
Plain Nonfat Greek Yogurt, 32 oz.	$3.98	$3.49
Shredded Cheddar Cheese, 8 oz.	$2.48	$1.89

Aisle 4: Pantry Staples

In this part of the store, you’ll discover the best deals on shelf-stable foods and household essentials at both Aldi and Walmart.

Shelf-Stable Foods Savings Smackdown

When it comes to filling your pantry with shelf-stable foods like canned goods, pasta, and peanut butter, Aldi has some great steals. In general, you can find peanut butter at Aldi for about 2/3 of Walmart’s prices.

Here’s a more detailed breakdown of these.

Grocery Item	Walmart Price	Aldi Price
Creamy Peanut Butter, 16 oz.	$1.48	$1.49
Strawberry Jam, 18 oz.	$1.98	$1.39
Spaghetti Pasta, 16 oz.	$1.00	$0.89
Canned Corn, 15.25 oz.	$0.50	$0.49

Aisle 5: Snack Attack

In most cases, Aldi seems to offer lower prices on chips, bars, and packaged snacks. Walmart, on the other hand, offers some lower-priced cookie options. Of course, prices can vary by location and availability of the items.

Chips, Cookies, Bars and Packaged Snack Comparison

At both Aldi and Walmart, you can find a variety of chips, cookies, bars, and packaged snacks to satisfy your cravings. But where will you get the most bang for your buck? Let’s take a closer look.

Item	Aldi Price Range	Walmart Price Range
Chips	$1.29 – $2.49	$1.68 – $3.29
Cookies	$1.09 – $2.99	$0.98 – $3.68
Bars (Granola/Protein)	$1.49 – $3.49	$1.84 – $4.74
Packaged Snacks	$0.99 – $4.29	$1.14 – $5.99

Aisle 6: Frozen Food Feuds

In this aisle, we will dive into the world of frozen food to see where you can save more: Aldi or Walmart.

Pizza, Ice Cream, Frozen Meals, and More

When it comes to purchasing frozen pizza, your choice between Aldi and Walmart will ultimately come down to your preferred brands and what’s available on the shelves. Both retailers carry a selection of frozen pizzas, but Aldi’s in-house brand offers a variety of flavors at competitive prices.

Ice cream is another sought-after treat in the freezer section. Both Aldi and Walmart offer a decent range of options, with Aldi’s private label brands like Sundae Shoppe and Belmont garnering positive reviews for their affordability and taste. Walmart, on the other hand, has a more extensive array of products, catering to nearly every preference and dietary need.

Ice Cream Brand	Walmart Price	Aldi Price
Ben & Jerry’s, 16 oz.	$4.97	N/A
Breyers, 48 oz.	$3.97	N/A
Haagen-Dazs, 14 oz.	$3.98	N/A
Sundae Shoppe, 48 oz.	N/A	$2.49
Belmont, 48 oz.	N/A	$2.19

As you can see from the table above, Aldi doesn’t carry some of those popular name brands like Breyes and Ben & Jerry’s. And likewise, Walmart doesn’t carry Sundae Shoppe or Belmonte. But what you can see here is the pricing difference is significant between a private label versus a name brand.

If taste and flavors are important to you, then this is an area where you’ll simply have to spend the extra dollars and shop at Walmart for what you want.

For those seeking convenient dinner options, both Aldi and Walmart provide an assortment of frozen meals. Aldi’s frozen meal offerings primarily focus on their exclusive private label products, which are well-received for their low cost and taste.

In contrast, Walmart boasts an extensive selection of frozen meals from a wider array of national and exclusive brands, spanning more diverse choices to suit various diets and tastes.

Frozen Meal	Walmart Price	Aldi Price
Stouffer’s Lasagna with Meat & Sauce, 38 oz.	$8.98	N/A
Lean Cuisine Chicken Alfredo, 9.25 oz.	$2.48	N/A
Marie Callender’s Chicken Pot Pie, 10 oz.	$2.48	N/A
Mama Cozzi’s Pizza Kitchen Pepperoni Pizza, 19.2 oz.	$2.98	$2.19
Fusia Asian Inspirations General Tso’s Chicken, 26 oz.	N/A	$4.99
Bremer Bistro French Onion Soup, 16 oz.	N/A	$2.49
Bremer Bistro Chicken Alfredo, 8.5 oz.	N/A	$1.69
Bremer Bistro Three Cheese Pizza, 17.2 oz.	N/A	$2.49

The Final Receipt: Who Offers The Best Bang For Your Buck?

Choosing between Aldi and Walmart for your grocery shopping needs can be a tough decision. However there can only be one winner when it comes to which store is cheaper to shop at.

And The Winner Is…

When it comes to overall savings, Aldi often comes out on top. Their store brands are usually cheaper than Walmart’s, and their rotating selection of “Aldi Finds” allows you to score great deals on unique items. Additionally, Aldi’s streamlined shopping experience with fewer brand choices makes it easier and faster to fill your cart without breaking the bank.

So ultimately, I have to declare Aldi the winner. It’s generally cheaper than Walmart across all food categories, and this is regardless of inflation and promotions.

While Aldi is cheaper than Walmart, there are some cons to it. The quality of their brands is just okay. There’s also a lack of variety as a whole, and if you are committed to certain food brands already, then you’ll be pretty disappointed with your options there.

In that case, Walmart might be a better choice. They offer a wider range of products, including name-brand items, and typically have more extensive produce and meat sections. For instance, if you’re looking for organic options or specific dietary needs, Walmart could be the winner for you.

And honestly, the pricing differences are minimal. Yes, it adds up across your entire shopping cart, but if you’re just picking up a few items, you may be better skipping out on the whole shopping cart and no bag experience that is Aldi.