Who is Cheaper for Groceries? – Low Dough Family (2024)

I keep hearing everyone say that Aldi is so much cheaper than all the other grocery stores, but I always have issues with this. I just don’t think shopping everything on my list at Aldi comes out cheaper.

So today we will do a side-by-side comparison of Publix and Aldi to see who has cheaper groceries. We will also determine if it is worth just going to one store, or if there is a savings by going to both stores for our grocery list. Let’s see how it goes!

Who is Cheaper for Groceries? – Low Dough Family (1)

Is Aldi cheaper than Publix?

For this price comparison, I have made a meal plan for a family of 4 using “25 Cheap food that fills you up when you are broke!” as a guide. Our plan is to get groceries for a week that are healthy and cheap!

Here is our meal plan:

Breakfasts

  • Egg & Bacon Breakfast Burritos with Orange Slices
  • Muffins, Yogurt, & Diced Pears
  • Banana Smoothies and Scrambled Eggs
  • Banana Raisin Pancakes with Pancake Syrup and Diced Pears

Lunches

  • Sloppy Joe & Cheese Taquitos with sour cream
  • BLT wraps
  • Leftovers from Dinners

Dinners

  • Sloppy Joes with Carrot Salad and Homemade Potato Wedges
  • Tuna Casserole with Green Peas
  • Ground Beef Burrito Bowls with Rice, served with (lettuce, tomato, black beans, sour cream, & cheddar cheese)
  • Smoke Sausage Foil Packs with carrots, potatoes, & onion
  • Mississippi Chicken in the Crockpot served over white rice with Brussell Sprouts
  • One Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta with Garlic Bread & Green Beans

Snacks

  • Orange Slices
  • Popcorn
  • Yogurt
  • Diced Pears

Sweet Treat

  • Easy Maple Cookies (uses pancake syrup)

For this price comparison, I am using prices available inSmyrna, Tennessee. I will be selecting items for our meal plan that are the absolute cheapest.

This means mostly generic store brand options and the smallest size needed. This may not be the best value, but we are going for the cheapest option.

We are assuming that we already have kitchen basics like cooking oil, seasonings, salt/pepper, and baking powder at home. Everything else needed for the meal plan will need to be purchased.

For a more in depth break down on how I would make this meal plan work, check out “Healthy Grocery List Week #12 (Quick, Healthy and Cheap for a Family!)

Who is Cheaper for Groceries? – Low Dough Family (2)

Produce Section

This is all the fresh vegetables and fruits we need for the week.

ItemPublix PriceAldi Price
Bananas x8 $0.30 each= $2.40 $0.21 each= $1.68
Oranges 3lb bag of mandarins= $5.37 3lb bag of mandarins= $3.95
Lettuce 1 head green leaf= $3.65 1 head green leaf= $1.65
Tomato x2 Regular Tomato $0.79 each=$1.58
*on sale*
2 pack Beefsteak tomato= $1.89
Onion x2 Yellow Onions $0.74 each= $1.48 2lb bag of sweet onions= $2.55
Potatoes 5lb bag of red potatoes= $3.87
*on sale*
5lb bag of red potatoes= $4.75
Carrots 16oz bag baby carrots= $1.37 16oz bag baby carrots= $1.35
Total: (7 items)$19.72$17.82

In the produce section, Aldi came out cheaper with a total of $17.82. This was $1.90 cheaper than Publix’s total of $19.72.

Deli/Meats

This is all the meats that we will need from the deli and meat counter.

ItemPublix Price Aldi Price
Bacon Publix 12oz pack= $4.93 Appleton Farms 16oz pack= $4.09
Ground Beef Publix 80/20 fresh $5.53 a lb (1.32lbs)= $7.30 85/15 1lb roll= $4.39
Smoked Sausage (kielbasa, etc) Hillshire Farms 12oz pack= $5.83 Parkview 12oz pack= $3.65
Chicken Breasts (need 4-5)Perdue 3lb frozen bag= $12.49Kirkwood 5lb fresh pack= $12.45
Total: (4 items)$30.55$24.58

In the meat section, Aldi came out cheaper with a total of $24.58. This was $5.97 cheaper than Publix’s total of $30.55.

*It is worth noting that not only was Aldi cheaper, but we also got 4oz more of the bacon and 2 lbs more of the chicken breasts.

Who is Cheaper for Groceries? – Low Dough Family (3)

Dry Goods

This is all the dry goods and shelf stable items that we need for our meal plan.

ItemPublix PriceAldi Price
Flour Tortillas Misson 12ct= $2.75Pueblo Lindo 20ct= $2.09
Muffin Mix Jiffy blueberry 7oz box= $1.11 Jiffy corn 8.5oz box= $0.69
Pancake Syrup Publix 24oz bottle= $3.87 Millville 24oz bottle= $2.35
KetchupHunt’s 20oz bottle= $2.19Burman’s 38oz bottle= $1.95
Brown Sugar Publix 1lb bag= $1.75 Baker’s Corner 2lb bag= $2.05
Worcestershire Sauce Lea & Perrins 5oz bottle= $3.09 *substitution* Burman’s Steak Sauce 10oz bottle= $2.19
Hamburger Buns (8ct)Publix 8ct= $2.37L’oven Fresh 8ct= $1.45
Raisins Publix 6oz mini boxes= $2.09 Southern Grove 6oz mini boxes= $1.75
Diced Pears (canned)Publix 15.5oz can= $2.21Sweet Harvest 15oz can= $1.49
Mayonnaise Duke’s 8oz jar= $3.31 Burman’s 18oz bottle= $2.85
Egg Noodles Publix 16oz bag= $2.97 Reggano 16oz bag= $1.59
Tuna (canned) Starkist 5oz can= $1.07 Northern Catch 5oz can= $0.95
Breadcrumbs Publix 15oz container= $2.07 Chef’s Cupboard 8oz container= $1.95
Taco Seasoning Pack Publix 1.25oz pack= $1.09 Casa Mamita 1oz pack= $0.49
White Rice Publix 1lb bag= $1.43 Earthly Grains 3lb bag= $2.65
Black Beans (canned) Publix 15.25oz can= $1.19 Dakota’s Pride 15oz can= $0.85
Au Jus Seasoning Pack Publix 1oz pack= $0.98 Stonemill 0.87 oz pack= $0.45
Ranch Seasoning Pack Hidden Valley 1oz pack= $1.43 *on sale* Tuscan Garden 1oz pack= $0.55
Pepperoncini Mezzetta 16oz jar= $2.87 Tuscan Garden 16oz jar= $2.45
Tomato Sauce Publix 15oz can= $1.07 Happy Harvest 8oz can $0.49 each x2= $0.98
Italian Seasoning Publix 1.43oz jar= $2.65 Stonemill 0.75oz jar= $1.09
Green Beans Publix 14.5oz can= $1.31 Happy Harvest 15oz can= $0.55
Microwave PopcornOrville 3ct box= $4.19Clancy’s 12ct box= $5.19
All Purpose FlourPublix 2lb bag= $2.19Baker’s Corner 5lb bag= $2.45
SugarPublix 2lb bag= $2.43Baker’s Corner 4lb bag= $3.19
Baking SodaArm & Hammer 8oz box= $0.83Baker’s Corner 16oz box= $0.89
Vanilla ExtractPublix 1oz bottle= $4.41Stonemill 2oz bottle= $6.49
Total: (26 items)$58.92$51.62

In the dry goods section, Aldi came out cheaper with a total of $51.62. This was $7.30 cheaper than Publix’s total of $58.92.

Frozen Foods

These are the frozen items needed for this week’s meal plan.

ItemPublix PriceAldi Price
Frozen Peas Green Giant 9oz bag= $2.19Season’s Choice 12oz bag= $1.05
Frozen Brussell Sprouts Green Giant 9oz bag= $2.21 *on sale* Season’s Choice 12oz bag= $1.55
Total: (2 items)$4.40$2.60

In the frozen section, Aldi came out cheaper with a total of $2.60. This was $1.80 cheaper than Publix’s total of $4.40.

*It is worth noting that not only was Aldi cheaper, but we also got 3 oz more of the peas and the Brussel sprouts.

Dairy Section

These are all the dairy items needed like milk and cheeses.

ItemPublix PriceAldi Price
Vanilla Yogurt Publix 32oz container= $3.31 Friendly Farms 32oz container= $2.55
1/2 gallon of Milk Publix half gallon= $2.99 Friendly Farms half gallon= $2.05
Eggs Publix 12ct large white eggs= $3.17 Goldhen 12ct large white eggs= $1.89
Cheddar Cheese (16oz) Publix 16oz block= $7.53 Happy Farms 16oz shred= $4.19
Sour Cream Publix 8oz container= $1.65 Friendly Farms 16oz container= $1.89
Butter Publix 16oz sticks= $4.97 Countryside Creamery 16oz sticks= $3.55
Mozzarella Cheese (8oz) Publix 8oz bag= $3.87 Happy Farms 8oz block= $2.19
Total: (7 items)$27.49$18.31

In the dairy section, Aldi came out cheaper with a total of $18.31. This was $9.18 cheaper than Publix’s total of $27.49.

Who is Cheaper for Groceries? – Low Dough Family (4)

Is Publix more expensive than Aldi?

Aldi dominated in pretty much every section, but let’s look at the overall totals.

SectionPublix PriceAldi Price
Produce $19.72 $17.82
Deli/Meats $30.55 $24.58
Dry Goods $58.92$51.62
Frozen Foods $4.40$2.60
Dairy $27.49$18.31
Overall Total: (46 items)$141.08$114.93

Overall, Aldi came out cheaper than Publix with a total of $114.93. This was $26.15 (about 18%) cheaper than Publix’s total of $141.08.

If I could only go to one store, I would obviously pick Aldi since they were much cheaper than Publix.

If I had the time to go to both stores or do a curbside pick up order, I could have potentially saved another 7% on my weekly shopping trip. By just getting the cheapest items at each store, our total would have been $106.75.

The combined total of both stores of $106.75 is much closer to my grocery budget of $100. So, I believe the time to go to both stores would be worth it, since that would save me an additional $8.18.

For more grocery store comparisons, check out “Rouses vs Publix” and “Aldi vs Kroger.”

Who is Cheaper for Groceries? – Low Dough Family (2024)

FAQs

What is the cheapest place to get groceries? ›

According to MarketForce Information's 2024 U.S. Grocery Panel Study, these are the 10 grocery stores that offer the most value for your money, according to shoppers.
  • WinCo Foods. ...
  • Giant Eagle. ...
  • Market Basket. ...
  • Wegman's. ...
  • ALDI. ...
  • BJs. ...
  • Costco. ...
  • Sam's Club.

What is a reasonable grocery budget for a family of 4? ›

In 2020, the average US household food expenditure amounted to $609.7 per month. In 2023 the average household spends between $1,047 to $1,576 on a groceries per month.

Is Aldis cheaper than Walmart? ›

Regardless, the prices don't lie. Aldi is considerably cheaper than Walmart in almost every instance (or they were about the same).

What is a realistic grocery budget for 2 people? ›

The average grocery costs for a two-person household across the Thrifty to Liberal plans range from $476.92 to $868.66: Male and female living together: $514.09 to $819.26. Two adult females: $476.92 to $769.86.

How to grocery shop for a family of 4 on a budget? ›

  1. Research local shopping options vs online vs bulk stores.
  2. meal PLAN and meal PREP to make sure you have a strategy and use what you do buy.
  3. frozen berries, seasonal fruits on sale, cabbage, manager specials or end of day clearance produce.
  4. more beans, more lentils, more eggs, less meat.
Jul 2, 2024

Where is the most expensive place to shop for groceries? ›

The most expensive city in America to buy groceries in is Miami.

Which chain has the cheapest groceries? ›

Top 10 Cheapest Grocery Store Chain in the United States
  1. Aldi. Aldi, originally from Germany, employs several cost-cutting strategies to keep prices low. ...
  2. Costco. ...
  3. Food 4 Less. ...
  4. Grocery Outlet. ...
  5. Lidl. ...
  6. Market Basket. ...
  7. Sam's Club. ...
  8. Trader Joe's.
Jun 16, 2024

Who is cheaper Kroger or Aldi? ›

Prices at Aldi are generally a bit less than the other major grocery stores. Like anything else, you have to know what you're buying though. Aldi has less overhead because they limit the brands and sizes for the items sold. Where Kroger has multiple brands of peanut butter, Aldi has 2 brands at most and only one size.

Do you actually save money shopping at Aldi? ›

Aldi is a grocery retailer known for its low prices. If you're trying to keep your grocery spending in check, shopping at Aldi may help. Buying weekly sale items, sticking to Aldi's private-label brands, and limiting seasonal impulse buys could help you maximize your savings when shopping at Aldi.

What is the 50 30 20 rule? ›

Those will become part of your budget. The 50-30-20 rule recommends putting 50% of your money toward needs, 30% toward wants, and 20% toward savings. The savings category also includes money you will need to realize your future goals.

What is an average grocery bill for a family of two? ›

According to the most recent data released from the Household Pulse Survey, American households spend an average of $270 on groceries a week. Broken down by household size: One person - $156.02. Two people - $220.82.

How to live on $100 groceries a month? ›

Decide what you'll eat for a week, or even a month, and plan meals based around low-cost staple foods like oats and eggs for breakfast; tuna, peanut butter, cheese and nonfat plain yogurt for lunch; and inexpensive cuts of meat like chicken thighs or flank steak and dried beans and grains like brown rice that you can ...

How can I buy groceries cheaper? ›

17 ways to save money on groceries
  1. Make a meal plan.
  2. Shop alone if you can.
  3. Shop during the quietest days of the week.
  4. Swap expensive cuts of meat for cheaper options.
  5. Buy generic products.
  6. Avoid buying hygiene products at the grocery store.
  7. Stick to the store's perimeter.
  8. Pay with a grocery rewards card.
Oct 23, 2023

What days are grocery stores cheapest? ›

Wednesdays are the best day to shop for food, as this is when most supermarkets release new circulars, ensuring you have the first pick of the top deals,” said Woroch. She added that stores typically also honor last week's deals, so you'll likely have bonus sale items to choose from as well.

How to buy groceries for $100 a month? ›

Decide what you'll eat for a week, or even a month, and plan meals based around low-cost staple foods like oats and eggs for breakfast; tuna, peanut butter, cheese and nonfat plain yogurt for lunch; and inexpensive cuts of meat like chicken thighs or flank steak and dried beans and grains like brown rice that you can ...

Is Dollar General cheaper than Walmart? ›

In fact, Walmart cost less than Dollar General in our price comparison. We checked prices on a basket of common goods in their online stores. Walmart was cheaper overall, and beat Dollar General in 10 out of 12 of the items in our basket.

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