As a frugal shopper, I’m always wondering what store will get the best deal. It’s one of the primary principles I teach in my course Grocery Budget Bootcamp, and it’s why I wrote a whole post comparing Costco to ALDI.
Well, since not everyone has an ALDI nearby, I thought it would be prudent to compare prices again. This time though, to a more national chain and not a warehouse store that requires a membership.
What I wanted to know was, which is cheaper: Walmart vs. ALDI?
Psst! Before I jump into this post, I wanted to mention that Grocery Budget Bootcamp is only open through TOMORROW, Tuesday, September 19, 2017. Knowing where to shop is just one of the 13 lessons in the course, so whether you struggle with shopping, meal planning or how to put it all together – I’ve got you covered. Besides, the average graduate saves $250-300 on the first month alone!! See if Grocery Budget Bootcamp is right for you!
ALDI vs. Walmart – Pros and Cons
I could write a whole blog post on the pros and cons of shopping at ALDI vs. Walmart… but I’m not going to do that here. However, I was working on this list, I couldn’t help but notice definite pros and cons while in the store that were definitely worth sharing, especially since we’re breaking down prices and such.
Shopping at ALDI: Pros
You have a limited selection. If you get overwhelmed with choices at the grocery store, ALDI makes it easy because there are no choices. For most of their items, they only offer one variety in one size.
The selection of organics is expanding. I had organic almond milk and peanuts on my list for comparison, but Walmart didn’t have either.
Here is an Ultimate Guide for Shopping at ALDI!
Shopping at ALDI: Cons
You have a limited selection. If you’re looking to save money by buying in bulk, that likely won’t happen at ALDI. Their shelves are “one size fits all.”
Shopping at Walmart: Pros
You have a greater selection. In both sizes, and brands. For most items listed below, you can easily bump up to a larger container and save a few pennies per ounce at the same time.
Shopping at Walmart: Cons
There’s a greater selection. I say this, because even though I was ONLY comparing price this day, it was still sometimes overwhelming in looking at all the different options to find the best deal. Different sizes and different brands didn’t necessarily make for a better shopping experience; they made it harder to crunch numbers.
Which is Cheaper Walmart or ALDI? The Rules.
1. COMPARE THE MOST PURCHASED ITEMS.
I compared the same items that I purchase every month, over and over again. Yes, you’ll save a few pennies on the onsie twosie items too, but you’ll find the biggest savings when you find rock bottom prices on the items you repeatedly buy.
2. STAPLES AND PRODUCE.
I didn’t want to compare too much produce since prices will vary greatly from region to region AND season to season, so I kept the produce to a minimum, comparing only things that I personally would typically buy year round anyway.
3. PRICES ARE STILL REGIONAL.
The prices below are taken as of 9/15/2017, are from the Atlanta, Georgia area and should be used as a guideline only. You may or may not find the exact prices in your area, so do your homework before you commit to one store or another.
4. USE THE LOWEST PER UNIT PRICE.
Some items are offered in ounces, some in pounds. I broke it down to the lowest price per unit that is common between both items.
5. USE STORE BRAND WHENEVER POSSIBLE.
By design, ALDI doesn’t carry name brands at all. That meant comparing “apples to apples” tough, since Walmart doesn’t carry ALDI’s house brand, and visa versa. My workaround was using the store-brand for each store, respectively.
Walmart’s store-brand is Great Value. ALDI has a few different brands, depending on what you’re buying (as you’ll see in the pictures). But I assure you, although they’re different names, they’re all technically “ALDI brand” items.
6. COMPARE LIKE ITEMS TO LIKE ITEMS.
ALDI is expanding their selection of organic (see pro above!), but that doesn’t mean Walmart is keeping pace. On the other hand, Walmart has some organic items that ALDI does not.
With that said, I made notes of whether something was organic or conventional and I only included the item in my list if BOTH stores had it available. If one store had organic tuna, for example, and the other didn’t, I didn’t even include it on my list at all.
Meat
Bacon → ALDI
ALDI: $3.79/lb
Walmart: $6.92/24 oz
Beef (80/20 ground) → ALDI
ALDI: $2.99/lb
Walmart: $3.88/lb
Chicken (breast) → ALDI
ALDI: $2.29/lb
Walmart: $3.23/lb
Chicken (leg quarters) → ALDI
ALDI: $0.89/lb
Walmart: $1.29/lb
Chicken (whole) → ALDI
ALDI: $0.95/lb
Walmart: $1.07/lb
Dairy/Cold Case
Almond Milk → ALDI
ALDI: $1.99/64 oz
Walmart: 2.08/64 oz
Butter → Walmart
ALDI: $2.89/lb
Walmart: $2.56/lb
Cheddar Cheese → Walmart
ALDI: $1.79/8 oz
Walmart: $1.54/8 oz
Cream Cheese → ALDI
ALDI: $0.79/8 oz
Walmart:$0.92/8 oz
Eggs → ALDI
ALDI: $0.56/dozen
Walmart: $0.58/dozen
Milk → ALDI
ALDI: $1.44/gal
Walmart: $1.75/gal
Orange Juice → Walmart
ALDI: $2.09/59 oz
Walmart: $1.74/64 oz
Sour Cream → ALDI
ALDI: $0.99/16 oz
Walmart: $1.23/16 oz
String Cheese → ALDI
ALDI: $2.29/10 oz
Walmart: $2.84/12 oz
Produce
Apples (gala) → ALDI
ALDI: $3.89/3 lb
Walmart: $1.87/lb
Bananas → ALDI
ALDI: $0.29/lb
Walmart: $0.56/lb
Bell Peppers → ALDI
ALDI: $1.89/3 ct
Walmart: $0.68/ea
Carrots (baby) → ALDI
ALDI: $0.99/lb
Walmart: $2.48/2 lb
Onions → ALDI
ALDI: $1.79/2 lb
Walmart: $2.14/2 lb
Oranges (navel) → ALDI
ALDI: $1.99/4 lb
Walmart: $6.44/5 lbs
Potatoes (russet) → ALDI
ALDI: $3.79/10 lb
Walmart: $3.94/8 lb
Spinach (organic, pre-washed) → Walmart
ALDI: $2.49/5oz
Walmart: $5.98/16 oz
Spring Mix (organic, pre-washed) → Walmart
ALDI: $2.49/5 oz
Walmart: $4.66/16 oz
Pantry
All-purpose Flour → ALDI
ALDI: $1.19/5 lb
Walmart: $1.23/5 lb
Apple Cider Vinegar (conventional) → ALDI
ALDI: $0.99/16 oz
Walmart: $1.48/32 oz
Apple Cider Vinegar (organic) → ALDI
ALDI: $1.99/16 oz
Walmart: $4.76/32 oz
Applesauce → ALDI
ALDI: $1.29/24 oz
Walmart: $1.33/20 oz
Black Beans (canned, organic) → ALDI
ALDI: $0.89/15 oz
Walmart: $0.92/15 oz
Black Beans (canned, conventional) → Walmart
ALDI: $0.59/15 oz
Walmart: $0.57/15 oz
Bread (gluten-free) → Walmart
ALDI: $3.99/12 oz
Walmart: $5.48/18 oz
Bread (whole wheat) → Walmart
ALDI: $1.39/20 oz
Walmart: $1.06/20 oz
Canned Tuna (chunk in water) → Walmart
ALDI: $0.99/5 oz
Walmart: $0.66/5 oz
Canned Vegetables → ALDI
ALDI: $0.49/15 oz
Walmart: $0.98/15 oz
Chicken Stock (organic) → Walmart
ALDI: $1.89/32 oz
Walmart: $1.84/32 oz
Chicken Stock (conventional) → Walmart
ALDI: $1.89/32 oz
Walmart: $1.38/32 oz
Chocolate Chips → ALDI
ALDI: $1.79/12 oz
Walmart: $2.68/12 oz
Coconut Oil (organic, virgin) → Walmart
ALDI: $4.49/14 oz
Walmart: $14.96/54 oz
Coffee → ALDI
ALDI: $4.89/30.5 oz
Walmart: $4.98/30.5 oz
Extra Virgin Olive Oil (conventional) → Walmart
ALDI: $3.49/16.9 oz
Walmart: $9.84/51 oz
Extra Virgin Olive Oil (organic) → Walmart
ALDI: $3.99/16.9 oz
Walmart: $11.48/51 oz
Garbanzo Beans → ALDI
ALDI: $0.55/15 oz
Walmart: $0.57/15 oz
Great Northern Beans (dry) → ALDI
ALDI: $1.99/32 oz
Walmart: $1.37/lb
Honey (conventional) → Walmart
ALDI: $2.99/12 oz
Walmart: $14.48/80 oz
Honey (organic) → ALDI
ALDI: $3.49/12 oz
Walmart: $3.98/12 oz
Ketchup (organic) → ALDI
ALDI: $1.69/24 oz
Walmart: $1.74/20 oz
Maple Syrup → ALDI
ALDI: $6.79/12.5 oz
Walmart: $6.78/12.5 oz
Oats (old fashioned rolled) → ALDI
ALDI: $2.39/42 oz
Walmart: $2.46/42 oz
Pasta Sauce (red) → ALDI
ALDI: $0.99/24 oz
Walmart: $1.06/24 oz
Peanuts → ALDI
ALDI: $1.89/16 oz
Walmart: $4.72/35 oz
Peanut Butter → ALDI
ALDI: $2.69/40 oz
Walmart: $2.23/28 oz
Pinto Beans (dry) → ALDI
ALDI: $1.49/32 oz
Walmart: $1.53/32 oz
Raisins → ALDI
ALDI: $2.79/20 oz
Walmart: $2.87/20 oz
Rice → ALDI
ALDI: $1.29/3 lb
Walmart: $2.06/10 lb*
Spaghetti (gluten-free) → ALDI
ALDI: $1.89/lb
Walmart: $1.98/lb
Spaghetti (conventional) → ALDI
ALDI: $1.45/2 lb
Walmart: $0.96/lb
Spaghetti (organic) → Walmart
ALDI: $1.19/16 oz
Walmart: $1.48/32 oz
Sugar (white granulated) → Walmart
ALDI: $1.49/4 lb
Walmart: $8.78/25 lb
Vanilla Extract → ALDI
ALDI: $3.49/2 oz
Walmart: $3.58/2 oz
Vinegar (white distilled) → Walmart
ALDI: $0.79/32 oz
Walmart: $2.48/128 oz
What surprised me the most when comparing Walmart vs. ALDI?
I think what surprised me the most when comparing Walmart vs. ALDI was that the difference in price between the two stores wasn’t that much.
In fact, for several items, the difference was just ONE PENNY! I guess I was expecting a more dramatic difference between the two stores…
What this means though, is that if you don’t have an ALDI in your area, you can still get a great deal on food by shopping at Walmart. In fact, I bet this One Week $50 ALDI Meal Plan would come in pretty close to that at Walmart too!
What it also means, is that if you’re torn between shopping at ALDI and shopping at Walmart, your savings at ALDI might not be worth the hassle of a second trip… something to consider!
This information is great. I have found that Aldi’s beats Walmart on prices AND quality in the Dallas, Texas area. Plus the shopping experience is very pleasant. I love the smaller footprint of the store, the cleanliness, and the fact that the store clerks know me. Can you tell I’m an Aldi’s fan?
Awesome Marianna! So glad this was helpful. 🙂
With free hands-free pickup possible for online orders over $35 (during the pandemic) Walmart wins hands down.
Aldi’s easily beats Walmart prices in Western Wisconsin.
I buy very little at Aldi because their produce goes bad too fast. This happened on a regular basis that even my husband noticed it.
We have an Amex blue credit card that gives 6% cash back on groceries. All this time I assumed I was getting 6% cash back for my groceries at WalMart…BUT I WASN’T!! Amex doesn’t consider Walmart a ‘grocery’ store. Amex does however consider ALDI a grocery store. I think I’ll try ALDI now b/c an extra 6% adds up quickly over time.
Oh, wow!! What a great find Allison!
Aldi’s food actually tastes better than Great Value.
We all have different taste buds, but I appreciate your point of view!
I don’t despise Wal-Mart in general, just the one near my house (I am just north of Houston). I truly believe they give their employment applicants a personality test and if they seem too helpful or polite, they are disqualified. So I generally shop at Kroger and Aldi. One day a few months ago, hubs and I were near a WalMart in the next town over, so we decided we would shop there. Holy moly! I was shocked at the difference in prices. Boneless skinless chicken breast was almost $4 a pound (Aldi is about $1.99). Celery was like $1.50 a bunch vs. the $.89 I pay at Aldi. $1.70 vs. $.69 for eggs. I could keep going. I don’t think there was a single item there that was cheaper – or even comparably priced – than Aldi. Their prices were more like Kroger’s than Aldi’s on the store-brand stuff.
Then, you get to the other budget-buster. The eye-candy displays. For stuff you just don’t need, like novelty sunglasses or holiday-themed jewelry made in China. Cheaply priced, but still you don’t need. Walmart COUNTS on those impulse buys to make up for few items they carry that are cheaper than Aldi.
Hi Tiffany!
Wow! Folks are PASSIONATE about where to shop! Me? Since I live really close to ALDI and WM, here is what I do…I use WM’s Grocery App to place my entire grocery list in my “cart” (as if I were going to get everything at WM). Then, I stop by ALDI and cherry pick those items that are currently (AND regionally) cheaper than what I see in my cart on the WM Grocery App. As I go through, I delete the items from my virtual cart as I place them in my physical one. I check out at ALDI, and whatever is left in my WM cart is what I get there.
Prices vary constantly, so this insures that I catch the best deals at both stores. Plus, in my area (Tulsa, OK) WM offers free grocery pickup, so I usually go by ALDI on Saturday AM, and pick up my WM groceries that PM or after church on Sundays!
I know this has saved me A LOT, but it has also set my mind at ease, knowing I haven’t wasted my money, energy, or time!
This is a fantastic shopping method Jennifer – thank you for sharing it with us!! And I might have to give this a shot myself, LOL.
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are only $1.99 per pound at Walmart and Sam’s Club.
In my area Aldi and Wal-mart had a price war on milk for a while. Milk was $0.75 a gallon at both stores! It’s gone up a bit since then at $1.29 but Aldi is still ahead.
I love that the price war works in your favor!!
I live in rural Missouri and I did price comparisons last week. For the items that I buy normally, a trip to Aldi (and I would still have to shop elsewhere) would only save me at the most $5 for the trip. I use a lot of Great Value brand products because I like them. Everything was within pennies to 20 cents away from Great Value prices. I prefer a one stop shop so Walmart makes more sense for my family. As far as cereal is concerned, you can hardly beat the taste and price of Malt o Meal bagged cereal.
I also live in the Midwest, and I’m not impressed with Aldi’s prices either and feel that I get a greater value for the money at Walmart and Sam’s. Maybe Aldi is better in some areas of the country.
I decided that one week I will do my grocery shopping at Walmart and the next Aldi. I bought identically the same items (possibly MORE at Aldi) and I ended up spending $70 LESS at Aldi! I have a big family (5 children, my husband, and I) and $70 savings is huge for me, that could be $280 saved in one month!
Way to go Leslie!
Tiffany just sent out an email talking about saving 5$ on whole organic chickens at Wal-Mart. And though in the article above she says “your savings… might not be worth the hassle of a second trip”, she routinely forgets to calculate the cost of a second trip or additional stop on our shopping route. So, if adding a stop at Wal-Mart means adding 5 or 6 miles to your route (either from a different store to Wal-Mart or from your home to Wal-Mart and back) your 5$ savings is gone. That’s assuming a great gas price of 3.50 a gallon and a car that gets 20 miles to the gallon. If your mileage is worse and/or gas is higher price, then your savings might be gone in a difference of 3 miles or so. And NONE of that takes into account your time. In some places with heavy traffic or near rush hour, those extra 3 to 5 miles might take anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes. Even spending 5-10 minutes online to research the price differences between stores may not be worth it. And, if you earn 20$ an hour at your job, this means your free time is worth at least that much. So spending 15 minutes of time costs you 5$ also. Only you can decide if that is a more valuable use of your free time than some other activity. Just please, remember to balance what you may save on just the cost of an item versus the total costs in time & gasoline … & mental energy, too!