Grocery Prices Vary Widely Across Stores, Study Finds

Costco, Aldi, and Lidl often cheaper than Walmart, while Whole Foods and Trader Joe's cost significantly more.

Feb. 4, 2026 at 3:55am

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A new Consumer Reports study has found that grocery prices can vary widely depending on the store, with Costco, Aldi, and Lidl often offering lower prices compared to Walmart, while Whole Foods and Trader Joe's tend to be significantly more expensive. The study looked at a basket of around 40 common grocery items across six U.S. cities, and the results show that switching supermarkets could help shoppers save hundreds on everyday purchases.

Why it matters

With the rising cost of living, finding ways to save money on essential items like groceries is increasingly important for many households. This study provides valuable insights for consumers on where they can find the best deals on common grocery staples, potentially helping them stretch their budgets further.

The details

The study, conducted by Consumer Reports and Strategic Resource Group, compared the prices of a basket of around 40 common grocery items across major supermarket chains in six U.S. cities. In Virginia Beach, the study found that the price of the basket was nearly 17% lower at Costco and 16% lower at Aldi compared to Walmart, while Whole Foods prices were 58% higher. Nationally, the study found that prices were about 21% lower at Costco and BJ's Wholesale Club, and 9% lower at Lidl and Aldi, compared to Walmart. Conversely, prices were around 40% higher at Whole Foods, 25% higher at Trader Joe's, and 24% higher at Harris Teeter.

  • The study was conducted in February 2026.

The players

Consumer Reports

A nonprofit consumer advocacy organization that conducts independent product testing and provides information to consumers.

Strategic Resource Group

A research firm that collaborated with Consumer Reports on the grocery price comparison study.

Tobie Stanger

A writer for Consumer Reports who provided insights on the study's findings.

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What they’re saying

“We looked at a marketbasket of products … Folgers Coffee, pineapple, lemons, Kraft macaroni and cheese, eggs, milk, chicken drumsticks, Gain detergent, that kind of thing.”

— Tobie Stanger, Writer, Consumer Reports

“What we found are some pretty major differences, especially when you get into the specialty grocers.”

— Tobie Stanger, Writer, Consumer Reports

“If you're starting with a lower priced store to begin with, you stand a better chance of having a smaller bill at the end when you go to the register.”

— Tobie Stanger, Writer, Consumer Reports

What’s next

The study's findings could prompt more consumers to compare prices across different grocery store chains in their area to find the best deals on everyday items.

The takeaway

This study highlights the significant price differences that can exist between major supermarket chains, underscoring the potential for consumers to save hundreds of dollars annually by being more strategic about where they shop for groceries. The findings suggest that opting for lower-cost retailers like Costco, Aldi, and Lidl over higher-priced options like Whole Foods and Trader Joe's could lead to substantial savings on a household's grocery bill.