I took the same grocery list to Walmart and Target. Both chains had what I needed, but some of the price differences shocked me.

Amena AhmedSep 12, 2024, 20:26 IST

I went grocery shopping at Walmart and Target. Amena Ahmed<ul class="summary-list"><li>I took my <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/aldi-best-things-for-two-people-on-budget-meals-list-2024-6">weekly shopping list</a> to Walmart and Target to compare grocery prices between the chains.</li><li>Basics like boxed <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-boxed-mac-and-cheese-brand-review">mac and cheese</a> and pasta sauce were way cheaper at Walmart.</li></ul>Last month, I discovered I could be saving a lot of money by shopping at <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trader-joes-vs-walmart-grocery-shopping-which-is-better-review-2024-8">Walmart instead of Trader Joe's</a>. Now I want to compare more chains to see if I'm still getting the best deals.I think Target is great for groceries, household items, and <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-drugstore-beauty-products-from-makeup-artist-2024-4">drugstore products</a>, so I thought it would be the perfect next competitor for Walmart.I took identical shopping lists to Walmart and Target to see where I could get the best value for weekly essentials.Here's what my shopping trips were like.

I started with Wamart’s large case of water bottles.

Walmart sells a really big case of water. Amena Ahmed

Target’s case was cheaper but had fewer bottles.

Target's water was actually cheaper. Amena Ahmed

Next, I looked for cranberry juice at Walmart.

Walmart has a nice deal on cranberry juice. Amena Ahmed

Target sold an identical bottle for almost a dollar more.

Target's cranberry juice was more expensive. Amena Ahmed

I went to Walmart's frozen aisle for ice cream.

There were several flavors of ice cream at Walmart.Amena Ahmed

Target's options were more limited — and more expensive.

For some reason, I could only find generic nondairy ice cream at Target. Amena Ahmed

There were lots of cheap shredded-cheese options at Walmart.

Shredded cheese is a staple on my grocery list. Amena Ahmed

Target had the same size bags for cheaper.

I liked target's shredded cheese option better. Amena Ahmed

I looked for a container of sour cream at Walmart.

I bought a large tub of sour cream at Walmart. Amena Ahmed

There wasn’t much of a price difference for the condiment at Target.

Target had similar tubs of sour cream. Amena Ahmed

I left the colder aisles and looked for olive oil at Walmart.

I bought a bottle of Great Value olive oil at Walmart. Amena Ahmed

Target sold a similar bottle for almost a dollar less.

The same bottle of olive oil was cheaper at Target. Amena Ahmed

It’s easy to stock up on boxed mac and cheese at Walmart.

Walmart has a great deal on mac and cheese. Amena Ahmed

Target’s mac and cheese was almost triple the price.

Target's generic mac and cheese was kind of pricey. Amena Ahmed

Next up on my shopping list was pasta sauce.

Walmart had a few affordable red sauces. Amena Ahmed

The red sauce was more expensive at Target.

Target's red sauce was pricier. Amena Ahmed

Walmart offered 10 tortillas for an affordable price.

Walmart sold a pack of 10 tortillas. Amena Ahmed

Target’s tortillas were more expensive but bigger.

Target's tortillas were bigger. Amena Ahmed

Finally, I looked for Liquid IV at Walmart.

I love getting my Liquid IV at Walmart. Amena Ahmed

Target’s Liquid IV was way too expensive.

Liquid IV is $6 more expensive at Target.Amena Ahmed

I’ll be sticking to Walmart for basic groceries.

Walmart still has the best value on weekly groceries. Alexanderstock23/Shutterstock

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