When it comes to budget grocery stores in the US, Trader Joe’s and Aldi are two of the most popular options for shoppers. Their unique selection of products, competitive prices, and fun store vibe make them fan favorites across the country. In a recent YouGov poll, the two retailers were ranked number one and number two in terms of popularity, respectively. But are these two beloved grocery stores priced similarly? This is what a prices comparison resulted in, showin which one is the winner when it comes to low prices and best deals.
This is a comparison list about basic grocery items that represent a wide range of price points across several departments such as fresh produce, pantry goods, and frozen items. Although both Aldi and Trader Joe’s also offer bath, body, and cleaning supplies, we focused solely on the cost of food for our analysis. We visited stores of both retailers in the greater New York City area in early February to source item prices in person.
Which Has Better Prices? Aldi or Trader Joe’s?
To ensure accuracy, we looked for equivalent products that had the same quality and portion size, avoiding different sizes or qualities. We listed the prices of each item in order, with the first price from Trader Joe’s and the second from Aldi.
It’s up to You if You Prefer Aldi or Trader Joe’s
I mean, yeah, you can save 5 bucks if you do this shopping list at Aldi, instead that doing it at Trader Joe’s, but depends on what kind of shopping experience you want. Both stores offer high-quality products at affordable prices, making them great options for budget-conscious shoppers. However, there are some key differences between the two stores.
Trader Joe’s is known for its unique and high-quality private label products, many of which are organic or all-natural. The store also has a friendly and fun shopping experience, with Hawaiian-shirt-clad employees and a laid-back vibe. Trader Joe’s tends to be a bit pricier than Aldi, but many customers are willing to pay extra for the quality and exclusivity of their products.
Aldi, on the other hand, is known for its incredibly low prices and no-frills shopping experience. While the store does carry some name-brand products, the majority of its offerings are private label. Aldi also has a reputation for being very efficient, with its products stacked on pallets and customers expected to bag their own groceries. This allows the store to keep costs low and pass the savings on to customers. Our recommendation is to do your own research, using this article as a guidance.
Here is a summary of our findings:
- Baby spinach, 6 oz. – TJ’s: $1.99, Aldi: $1.79
- Fresh herbs (variety), 1 oz. – TJ’s: $1.69, Aldi: $0.85
- Head of cauliflower, each – TJ’s: $2.99, Aldi: $3.29
- Red bell pepper, each – TJ’s: $1.29, Aldi: $2.69
- Banana, each – TJ’s: $0.19, Aldi: $0.27
- Beefsteak tomato, each – TJ’s: $1.29, Aldi: $2.89
- Italian extra virgin olive oil, 33.8 oz. – TJ’s: $5.99, Aldi: $8.29
- Honey O’s, 13.5 oz. – TJ’s: $2.29, Aldi: $1.59
- Organic unsweetened soy beverage, 32 oz. – TJ’s: $1.99, Aldi: $2.19
- Classic potato chips, 10 oz. – TJ’s: $2.49, Aldi: $1.99
- Tortilla chips, 10 oz. – TJ’s: $2.49, Aldi: $2.29
- Roasted red pepper hummus, 10 oz. – TJ’s: $3.49, Aldi: $2.45
- Shredded mild cheddar cheese, 12 oz. – TJ’s: $3.49, Aldi: $3.79
- Cream cheese, 8 oz. – TJ’s: $1.69, Aldi: $1.59
- Sliced muenster cheese, 12 oz. – TJ’s: $4.49, Aldi: $1.99
- Greek nonfat yogurt, 32 oz. – TJ’s: $5.49, Aldi: $3.69
- Organic 2% milk, half gallon – TJ’s: $3.79, Aldi: $3.79
- Unsweetened applesauce, 24 oz. – TJ’s: $1.99, Aldi: $1.95
- Creamy salted peanut butter, 16 oz. – TJ’s: $2.29, Aldi: $1.79
- Whole bean coffee, 14 oz. – TJ’s: $4.99, Aldi: $4.89
- Whole roasted and salted cashews, 16 oz.
So, what’s the answer to the question? Meanwhile, this list at Trader Joe’s totalized $131.89, at Aldi this same groceries shopping cart was $126.50, just a $5.39 difference.