Is Aldi Cheaper Than Walmart In 2022? (You’ll Be Surprised)

In the average American family, no one wants to overspend on groceries. It’s the easiest thing in the world to do – just try walking into a Wegmans or Kroger for only one item – but we all do our best to avoid it.

Aldi might not have the same reach and presence in the US as Walmart just yet, but the German grocery chain has put the Big Box store on notice when it comes to super-low pricing. Is Aldi cheaper than Walmart? You might be surprised by this breakdown!

Is Aldi Cheaper Than Walmart In 2022?

Aldi is not always cheaper than Walmart, particularly where seafood and produce are concerned. Walmart, whose stores outnumber Aldi 2-to-1, has dropped prices on many of their store brand, Great Value, items. This has created instances where Aldi is not the cheapest, though usually, the difference is only a few cents.

Let’s break down some of the most popular and common grocery items and see what happens when the two go toe-to-toe.

Price Comparison Methodology

To keep this simple, I followed a basic methodology.

Both Aldi and Walmart prices can vary slightly based on where they’re located, so for Aldi – who doesn’t list their prices online except in the case of Instacart, which can inflate cost – I used this handy Aldi price list, as well as my own receipts, dated from the last year.

For Walmart, I used the Walmart.com website, with the location – and therefore the prices – set for a small city in the Great Lakes region.

I only compared popular grocery items, only used each store’s private label (when possible, or noting where not), and compared items as identically weighted as possible.

When no other option exists, items are compared by price per ounce or pound, or I noted the weight difference.

One final disclaimer: Prices are subject to change at any time, in any region. While I have aimed for accuracy, this is a snapshot of a moment in time and is not intended as an official price list in any capacity.

Produce

Aldi vs. Walmart Prices: Produce
Item Aldi Price Walmart Price
Green Onions .89 .78
Tri-Color Peppers, 3 2.99 3.37
White Mushrooms, 8 oz. 1.45 each 1.88 each
Hearts of Romain, 3-pack 2.39 3.08
Head of Iceberg Lettuce 1.35 each 1.48 each
Asparagus 2.45/lb. 2.48/lb.
Broccoli Crowns 1.45/lb. 1.33/lb.
Baby Carrots, 16 oz. .89 .98
Bag Spinach, 8 oz. 1.19 1.54
Red Grapes 1.55/lb. 1.56/lb
Strawberries, 1 lb. 1.45 1.67
Pineapple 1.49 each 1.68
Honey Crisp Apples, 1 lb. 2.19 2.80
Limes, 1 lb. 1.99 2.15

I am not surprised that Aldi beats out Walmart on a lot of the produce prices.

While shoppers have complained that Aldi’s produce isn’t always up to par, the stores purportedly receive new shipments every day (and the stock gets rotated – oldest produce on the top).

Meat And Seafood

Meat And Seafood

Aldi vs. Walmart Prices: Meat & Seafood
Item Aldi Price Walmart Price
Chicken breasts, 1 lb. 1.89 2.08
Boneless/skinless chicken thighs, 1 lb. 1.89 2.24
Pork Loin, 1 lb. 2.29 3.38*
Bone-in Pork Chops, 1 lb. 3.79 4.12
93% Ground Beef 4.99 5.97
80/20 Ground Beef 3.39 4.24
Beef Stew Meat 5.49/lb. 6.98
Chuck Roast 5.99/lb. 6.47
Organic Grass Fed 85/15 Ground Beef 5.15 5.87
Packaged sandwich meats, 16 oz. 3.99 4.98 (Hillshire Farm)
Imitation crab meat, 8 oz. 2.19 1.99
Fresh packaged salmon, 1 lb. 7.79 7.64

*Note: The only pork loin that was comparable at Walmart was Tyson brand.

As you can see, Aldi beats out Walmart on meat prices across the board, with one exception: seafood.

It should also be noted that Aldi regularly runs sales on their meat; sometimes chicken thighs can sell in family packs for as low as .99/lb.!

Bread And Bakery

Aldi vs. Walmart Prices: Bread and Bakery
Item Aldi Price Walmart Price
Hot Dog Buns .85 .88
Hamburger Buns .85 .88
Tortillas (burrito size) 1.29 2.17
Bagel Skinnys 2.59 3.48*
Loaf White Bread .79 .88
Loaf Whole Wheat Bread 1.15 (sale) .88
Gluten Free Bread 6.05 5.54
Plain English Muffins 1.15 1.18
Hawaiian Sweet Rolls 1.49 2.50
Blueberry Bagels 1.49 1.88
Chocolate Mini Donuts 2.39 2.36
Organic Seeded Bread, 20 oz. 3.49 4.00
Ciabatta Rolls 2.69 2.77

*Note: Walmart only carries Thomas brand bagel thins.

Since Walmart doesn’t carry its own brand of bagel thins, I had to use the Thomas brand as a stand-in. Walmart compares even less favorably than they might if they made their own.

In all but three categories here, Aldi’s bread prices win the day.

Frozen Foods

Frozen Foods

Aldi vs. Walmart: Frozen Foods
Item Aldi Price Walmart Price
Corn, 12 oz. .47 1.00
Brussels Sprouts, 12 oz. 1.15 1.27
Green Beans, 16 oz. 1.75 1.79
Tater Tots, 32 oz. 1.55 1.67
Mixed Fruit, 32 oz. 4.39 4.26
Thin Crust Cheese Pizza 2.19 2.80
Sausage, Egg & Cheese Muffin, 4-count 3.09 3.97
Vanilla Ice Cream, 48 oz. 1.85 3.98
Flavored Ice Cream, 16 oz. 2.09 4.38 (Ben and Jerry’s)
Basic Veggie Burger, 10 oz. 2.99 2.98
Medium Cooked Shrimp, 12 oz. 4.59 5.60
Chicken Nuggets, 29 oz. 3.55 4.28 (32 oz.)

It’s almost not fair to compare Aldi’s specialty, flavored ice cream to Walmart’s prices, because Walmart doesn’t make their own.

However, this is what they sell that is comparable, and Aldi will save you two whole dollars! And people absolutely love the flavors.

Pasta And Grains

Aldi vs. Walmart Prices: Pasta & Grains
Item Aldi Price Walmart Price
Elbow Macaroni, 32 oz. 1.89 .1.64
Mac & Cheese, 7.25 oz. .34 .34
Gluten Free Penne, 16 oz. 2.89 2.98
Jasmine Rice, 5 lbs. 5.45 (.069/oz) .077/oz.
Instant White Rice, 28 oz. 2.65 2.44
Instant Mashed Potatoes, 4 oz. .59 .74

Walmart stays pretty competitive in the pasta and grains category, even besting Aldi where instant white rice is concerned.

That said, if you eat a lot of rice and you have a rice cooker, the bag of Jasmine rice from Aldi is your best bet to save money over the long run.

Snacks

Aldi vs. Walmart Prices: Snacks
Item Aldi Price Walmart Price
Plain Potato Chips, 8 oz. 1.35 1.23
Wavy Potato Chips, 10 oz. 1.35 1.23
Plain Kettle Chips, 8 oz. 1.29 1.33
Pretzel Minis, 16 oz. 1.32 1.33
Tortilla Chips, 13 oz. .92 1.74
Dry Roasted Peanuts, 16 oz. 1.79 1.98
Granola Bars, 10 ct. 1.15 1.43 (12 ct.)
Original Woven Wheat Crackers, 9 oz. 1.35 1.28
Chocolate Chip Cookie Thins, 4 oz. 2.29 2.74 (7-oz, Chips Ahoy brand)
Dark Chocolate Bar .29/oz. .56/oz.
Fruit Snacks, 28 ct. .15/oz. .136/oz.
White Cheddar Popcorn, 8.5 oz. 1.49 1.74 (9 oz.)

If your family enjoys chips and Triscuit knock-offs, shopping at Walmart will save you a few cents. But in every other snack category here, Aldi is the big winner.

Pantry Items

Aldi vs. Walmart Prices: Pantry Items
Item Aldi Price Walmart Price
Peanut Butter, 40 oz. 2.29 (.06/oz) 2.47
Mayonnaise, 30 oz. 1.75 1.94
Whipped Dressing, 30 oz. 1.89 1.98
Ranch Dressing, 16 oz. 1.49 .92
Dill Spears Pickles, 24 oz. 1.44 1.46
Barbecue Sauce, 18 oz. .95 .98
Soy Sauce, 15 oz. 1.29 1.36
Extra Virgin Olive Oil, 16.9 oz. 3.89 3.94
White Distilled Vinegar, 128 oz. 2.39 2.67
Canola Oil, 48 oz. 2.15 2.28
Raw Honey, 24 oz. 6.49 (.27/oz) .24/oz
Pure Maple Syrup, 12.5 oz. 5.69 6.98

Walmart undercharges versus Aldi in just one pantry category (raw honey), but that doesn’t seem terribly surprising, given Aldi’s history as a post-WWII grocer with the cheapest basics for a country rebuilding after a catastrophe.

Aldi is the most affordable when it comes to stocking up on condiments and oils.

Baking Supplies

Aldi vs. Walmart Prices: Baking Supplies
Item Aldi Price Walmart Price
All-Purpose Flour, 5 lb. 1.15 1.22
Brown Sugar, 32 oz. 1.29 1.54
Baking Soda, 16 oz. .50 .82
Baking Powder, 8.1 oz. .99 1.12
Chocolate Chips, Semi-Sweet, 12 oz. 1.69 1.74

If you’re a regular baker, you have to appreciate Aldi’s ultra-low prices on these essentials.

The 50 cent box of baking soda is the most impressive item, a full 32 cents cheaper than Walmart’s already wallet-friendly price.

Dairy And Eggs

Dairy And Eggs

Aldi vs. Walmart Prices: Dairy & Eggs
Item Aldi Price Walmart Price
Skim Milk, Gallon 2.97 3.78
Almond Milk, 64 oz. 1.79 1.86
Oat Milk, 64 oz. 2.99 (.046/oz) .086/oz
Eggs, regular, 12-ct 1.31 1.53
Free Range Organic Eggs, 12-ct 2.79 3.68
Butter, 16 oz. 2.99 2.98
Greek Yogurt, 32 oz. 3.29 3.47

It’s important to bear in mind that dairy prices can fluctuate pretty frequently, but Aldi continuously beats Walmart – except for a one-cent difference on butter.

If you are looking to learn more, you can see our related posts on when does Aldi restocks, the best time to shop at Aldi, Aldi vs Lidl, if Aldi owns Trader Joe’s, and also how to shop at Aldi.

Conclusion

Aldi is not always cheaper than Walmart, but that shouldn’t discourage shoppers. Unless you’re preparing a seafood feast, you’ll pay less at Aldi per shopping cart and would certainly see a difference over the long run.

Walmart stays competitive, though, with their Great Value store brand, and if you also need non-grocery items – office supplies, clothes, video games – you won’t do too badly to just make the one stop at your local Walmart Supercenter.

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