There have been some iconic duels throughout the ages: King Kong vs. Godzilla. Alexander Hamilton vs. Aaron Burr. And… Aldi vs. Walmart? Okay, Walmart and Aldi aren’t literally dueling, but Aldi sure is getting closer (or, rather, leaping) closer to being crowned the #1 Cheap Grocer of All Time.
I’m not sure when it happened, but Aldi is probably what many of us automatically think of when we think of affordable grocery stores. Perhaps shopping these days has even become key to keeping your grocery budget under control. But are the savings that different from what Walmart offers? I thought I’d comb the aisles firsthand to see how select items in both stores add up.
Before we get to the count, though, I’ve said it once, and I’ve said it half a dozen times: The concept of “cheaper” really comes down to yours special priorities. The prices of something as personal as groceries will mean many things to so many different people, depending on the value you place on the product as well as your financial situation. For example: Your favorite brand of $6 kettle chips that makes you very happy is a staple in your household (whereas, you may think the $2 chips from other retailers are overpriced because they don’t taste as good as your favorite bag; or not I really care about the chips, in which case $2 is a “steal”).
With that bit of maintenance out of the way, let’s tackle the ultimate question! To figure it out, I compared some household staples side-by-side and ounce-for-ounce. To make things as even as possible, that same January night I visited the stores in Burbank, California. I aimed to compare both store brand items and name brand items in the sections (produce, frozen, pantry, snacks). In some cases, Walmart provided (larger) options that were not available at Aldi.
These are 12 household staples that match as closely as possible.
So is Aldi cheaper than Walmart?
The short answer is mostly yes! And don’t we love a short answer? I also have a long answer (ie bills) – don’t worry.
Both retailers offer the brand’s frozen waffles. While Aldi only offers one flavor, the price difference is HUGE — almost $5 cheaper than Walmart’s for the exact same amount.
2. Frozen chicken nuggets
Even after accounting for the size difference (Walmart’s bag of nuggets is three ounces larger), Aldi’s nuggets are cheaper. Still, this is a great example of why it’s important to compare unit prices.
Both retailers sell avocados by the unit, not by weight, which makes this direct comparison unreasonable. Once again, it’s Aldi FTW. (Plus, some tips on the best ways to pick avocados.)
At the time I visited, Aldi only had conventionally grown raspberries available, while Walmart only had an organic option. In general, organic produce is more expensive (like here) and exposed to fewer pesticides.
If your household regularly goes through a gallon of milk, picking up at Aldi will save you nearly $1 per container.
At over $1 less per block, it’s worth picking up another one of these Irish butters and putting them in the freezer to have on hand for the next batch of butters.
Another Dollar Saver! While Aldi and Walmart almond butter comes in a 12-ounce jar, Aldi’s is a full $1.09 cheaper.
Both retailers sell granulated sugar in four-pound bags, but the bags at Aldi are just over 25 cents cheaper.
9. Extra virgin olive oil
Once again, both retailers sell store brand options and in identical sizes. And, again, Aldi comes in a little lower than Walmart. Taking a bottle of Priana will save you 33 cents.
Unlike raspberries, both stores offer organic versions of canned beans. Walmart’s are less than a dollar and a good 30 cents. Grab a few extra cans on your next trip there.
Not only are there more buns per bag, but Aldi’s bagels are all slightly larger (3.3 ounces per bagel vs. 3 ounces per bagel). It really is a case of getting more for less.
Turns out, you won’t save money buying these iconic cookies from one retailer over another. Both stores offer the original and Double Stuf versions for the same price.
Before your next shopping trip, a few tips
Each retailer has its strengths, so just comparing the two products misses a few nuances.
Regardless, the prices don’t lie. Aldi is significantly cheaper than Walmart in almost all cases (or they were about the same). Now you know! Especially when it saves you a lot of money, a little math in the store is the best kind of math, right?