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  4. I compared grocery prices of household staples at Aldi and Walmart, and it convinced me to change up my whole shopping routine

I compared grocery prices of household staples at Aldi and Walmart, and it convinced me to change up my whole shopping routine

I compared grocery prices of household staples at Aldi and Walmart, and it convinced me to change up my whole shopping routine
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
  • I compared prices of typical grocery items at Walmart and Aldi in New York.
  • Aldi had lower prices on almost every item, with a few exceptions.

US inflation is at its highest level in 40 years, and consumers are feeling it in their grocery bills.

US inflation is at its highest level in 40 years, and consumers are feeling it in their grocery bills.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Source: Insider

I visited Aldi and Walmart grocery stores in Rochester, New York to see which budget grocery store really has the lowest prices.

I visited Aldi and Walmart grocery stores in Rochester, New York to see which budget grocery store really has the lowest prices.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Aldi's branding is built around being a low-budget option, where items are shelved in their shipping packaging to cut back on labor needs and keep costs low.

Aldi
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The chain says more than 90% of its products are Aldi brands, which are typically much cheaper than their name-brand counterparts.

The chain says more than 90% of its products are Aldi brands, which are typically much cheaper than their name-brand counterparts.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Source: Aldi

Walmart also sells relatively low-cost groceries at its more than 5,000 US locations.

Walmart also sells relatively low-cost groceries at its more than 5,000 US locations.
The logo of Walmart is seen outside of a new Walmart Store in San Salvador      Reuters

Like Aldi, Walmart sells products under private-label brands, including Great Value and Sam's Choice, although it has a much wider selection of name-brand products than Aldi.

Like Aldi, Walmart sells products under private-label brands, including Great Value and Sam
Business Insider/Hayley Peterson

We compared prices of 20 staple grocery products between the two stores, using private-label brands when available because they tend to be the lowest cost.

We compared prices of 20 staple grocery products between the two stores, using private-label brands when available because they tend to be the lowest cost.
Walmart, Secaucus      Rachel Askinasi/Business Insider

Aldi bananas were priced at $0.48 per pound.

Aldi bananas were priced at $0.48 per pound.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Walmart bananas were slightly pricier at $0.51 per pound.

Walmart bananas were slightly pricier at $0.51 per pound.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Aldi won out on produce generally.

Aldi won out on produce generally.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The budget chain had lower prices on avocados, pineapples, and mangoes compared to the Walmart down the road.

The budget chain had lower prices on avocados, pineapples, and mangoes compared to the Walmart down the road.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Aldi also came out ahead on the canned goods we tested, including cannellini beans and diced tomatoes.

Aldi also came out ahead on the canned goods we tested, including cannellini beans and diced tomatoes.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The price difference is only 7 cents, but given the low cost of beans, that's over 10% of the total price, so Aldi is the way to go for shoppers who buy a lot of canned goods.

The price difference is only 7 cents, but given the low cost of beans, that
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

However, Walmart has a slight edge on whole milk.

However, Walmart has a slight edge on whole milk.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Aldi charges an extra 7 cents per gallon at $2.89, compared to $2.82 at Walmart.

Aldi charges an extra 7 cents per gallon at $2.89, compared to $2.82 at Walmart.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

That's reversed for almond milk, though, which is cheaper at Aldi by 9 cents per half gallon.

That
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Aldi also had a slightly lower price on eggs by only 2 cents.

Aldi also had a slightly lower price on eggs by only 2 cents.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Olive oil is slightly cheaper at Walmart, by about 1 cent per ounce.

Olive oil is slightly cheaper at Walmart, by about 1 cent per ounce.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Aldi won out with cranberry juice, at 6 cents cheaper per quart.

Aldi won out with cranberry juice, at 6 cents cheaper per quart.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Meat is one of the most expensive areas of the grocery store for many shoppers, and has been heavily impacted by inflation.

Meat is one of the most expensive areas of the grocery store for many shoppers, and has been heavily impacted by inflation.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Aldi had a lower price per pound on chicken breasts, drumsticks, ground turkey, and strip steak.

Aldi had a lower price per pound on chicken breasts, drumsticks, ground turkey, and strip steak.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Meats were the site of the largest price difference noted by Insider. Chicken breast was 29 cents cheaper per pound at Aldi, and chicken thighs were 63 cents cheaper.

Meats were the site of the largest price difference noted by Insider. Chicken breast was 29 cents cheaper per pound at Aldi, and chicken thighs were 63 cents cheaper.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Ground turkey was 57 cents cheaper per pound at Aldi.

Ground turkey was 57 cents cheaper per pound at Aldi.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Some cooking staples — including flour, a loaf of white bread, and salt — were exactly the same prices.

Some cooking staples — including flour, a loaf of white bread, and salt — were exactly the same prices.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Overall, Aldi has slightly lower prices than Walmart, but the differences weren't as stark as I expected. You can expect to save a few cents per item by shopping at Aldi, but nothing drastic across most areas of the store.

Overall, Aldi has slightly lower prices than Walmart, but the differences weren
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The biggest places to save at Aldi are on produce and meat, with greater savings the more you buy.

The biggest places to save at Aldi are on produce and meat, with greater savings the more you buy.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Meat is by far the biggest opportunity for savings at Aldi, and makes a trip to the discount grocer worthwhile.

Meat is by far the biggest opportunity for savings at Aldi, and makes a trip to the discount grocer worthwhile.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Canned goods are also cheaper at Aldi, so it may be worth a visit when it's time to stock up the pantry.

Canned goods are also cheaper at Aldi, so it may be worth a visit when it
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

With experts predicting inflation to continue in 2022, these prices are likely to keep fluctuating as the two chains compete for customers while battling supply chain bottlenecks and growing demand.

With experts predicting inflation to continue in 2022, these prices are likely to keep fluctuating as the two chains compete for customers while battling supply chain bottlenecks and growing demand.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Source: Insider

I typically do most of the shopping for my two-person household at Walmart with occasional Costco trips, but seeing the prices stacked up has me determined to make Aldi my main shopping destination, at least for meat and pantry staples.

I typically do most of the shopping for my two-person household at Walmart with occasional Costco trips, but seeing the prices stacked up has me determined to make Aldi my main shopping destination, at least for meat and pantry staples.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Do you have a story to share about a retail or restaurant chain? Email this reporter at mmeisenzahl@businessinsider.com.

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