Costco Ranked Most Affordable Grocery Store in New Study

Whole Foods found to be the most expensive, while Lidl, Aldi, and H-E-B also ranked as affordable options.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A new study by Consumer Reports and the Strategic Resource Group compared grocery prices across major U.S. retailers, finding that Costco was the most affordable overall, with a basket of common items costing 21.4% less than the national baseline set by Walmart. Whole Foods was the most expensive, with a basket 40% higher than Walmart's. Other affordable options included Lidl, Aldi, WinCo, and H-E-B.

Why it matters

With food prices rising sharply in recent years, this study provides valuable insights for consumers looking to stretch their grocery budgets. The findings highlight the significant price differences between retailers, underscoring the importance of comparing costs when deciding where to shop.

The details

The study compared "baskets" of commonly purchased grocery items across six representative U.S. cities, including packaged goods, produce, and meat. It found that the difference in cost between the highest- and lowest-priced baskets in each city was more than 33%. When warehouse clubs and specialty grocers were included, the gap widened further.

  • The study was released in February 2026.
  • The price comparisons were based on data from March 2020 to December 2025, a period which saw food-at-home prices rise 29.4%.

The players

Consumer Reports

A nonprofit consumer advocacy organization that publishes reviews and comparisons of consumer products and services.

Strategic Resource Group (SRG)

A retail and grocery industry market research company that assisted Consumer Reports in conducting the price comparisons.

Walmart

The national pricing baseline used in the study.

Costco

The most affordable grocery retailer overall, with a basket 21.4% less than Walmart's.

Whole Foods

The most expensive grocery retailer, with a basket 40% higher than Walmart's.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“While membership to Costco starts at $65 a year for its Gold membership tier, it does come with plenty of other perks beyond saving on groceries.”

— Stacey Leasca, Contributing Writer (Good Housekeeping)

What’s next

The study's findings may prompt consumers to reevaluate their grocery shopping habits and seek out more affordable options to offset rising food costs.

The takeaway

This study underscores the significant price differences between grocery retailers, highlighting the importance for consumers to compare costs and seek out more affordable options to stretch their budgets during a period of high food price inflation.