13 Cheapest Grocery Stores in the USA in 2024

One of the biggest expenses for any household is food, so many consumers are doing their research to find the cheapest grocery stores. Anyone who does a weekly shopping trip can testify that food prices are significantly higher than just a few years ago. In fact, according to some reports, prices on products that most of us consider necessities (meat, milk, cereal and diapers) are up 30% since 2020!

In real numbers, that means the cost of your milk is up nearly $1 per gallon and your ground beef is $2 per pound more than it used to be. If your weekly grocery budget was $300, you now need $400 to buy the same items. Even if you find the cheapest grocery stores, you still need to be a frugal shopper to get the best deals.

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• Why Are Grocery Store Prices So High?
• What Is The Cheapest Grocery Store in the USA?
• The 13 Cheapest Grocery Stores in the United States

Why Are Grocery Store Prices So High?

Why are groceries so expensive? Is it because of worker shortages or increased labor costs? Where can I find the cheapest groceries? While there are factors to bear in mind, like an increase in manufacturing costs and global supply chain issues, the unfortunate truth is that prices are up simply because consumers are willing to pay them.

Operating Costs and Supply Chain Issues

It’s important to note that an increase in operating costs over the last few years has lent to the final price paid by consumers. Supply chain issues have also played a role, with events like the pandemic, the war in Ukraine and even a highly contagious and fatal strain of bird flu having an impact on costs. Other factors, such as rises in gas prices, also add to an increase in manufacturing costs, which inevitably gets passed to the consumer. 

However, despite all of this, the profit margins of the country’s biggest grocery stores increased in recent years. In fact, according to a report by the Federal Trade Commission in March 2024, grocery retailer revenue actually outpaced costs by over 6% in 2021. It’s interesting to note that this was a record high for that particular metric. At least it was, until it was beaten once more in 2023, rising to 7%.

Will Grocery Prices Fall?

This should mean that prices will come down, right? Well, perhaps. Then again, perhaps not. As the FTC report says, the findings cast “doubt on the assertions of some companies that rising prices at the grocery store are the result of retailers’ own rising costs.” 

With this in mind, some argue that the small handful of companies that dominate the food chain, and who manufacture the overwhelming majority of products we all buy each month, have decided not to dip their prices in a bid to protect — and widen — their profit margins. Since consumers have already shown a willingness to buy groceries at highly inflated prices, these companies may not see the need to reduce them.

Are All Grocery Stores Expensive?

Where you shop will make a difference, but what you spend on food will also depend on whether you are buying food to eat at home or eating out. Eating out is around four times more costly than eating in according to the USDA Food Price Outlook. So if you’re feeling the pinch of food prices and looking to start saving money on groceries, you may find yourself sacrificing enjoyable date nights and family occasions to keep food on the table.  

Another consideration is the brands you favor when buying your monthly groceries. Do you favor the big-name brands or do you shop for store-brand alternatives? Often, the difference between the two is negligible, especially compared to the difference in price, which can be substantial.

Finally, choosing the right grocery store is key. If you’re reading this, you’re probably wondering which stores have the cheapest groceries. Prices of staples like milk, eggs, bread and chicken tend to hover fairly close regardless of which store you buy them from. But for items that are more about desire than need, some inexpensive grocery stores will save you a little cash if you do your research before you grab a cart. 

What Is The Cheapest Grocery Store in the USA?

Smart consumers will need to do their homework to find the most affordable grocery stores so they can feed their families without going bankrupt. Pro tip? The cheapest grocery store is always the one that you physically go to. Grocery delivery only adds to already steep prices.

If you think suffering through the chaos and crowds at Walmart is worth the stress because you’re saving money on groceries, think again. Should you be shopping at Target for cheap groceries instead? Nope. A recent analysis conducted by AARP discovered that overall, Aldi is the most inexpensive grocery store in the country.

If you’ve never heard of Aldi, it’s time to pay attention. It hasn’t quite reached the size of Walmart (currently Walmart has over 10,000 stores in the U.S.) but with over 2,200 stores in 39 states, it is becoming a retail grocery giant to be reckoned with and is certainly one of the cheapest grocery stores for your weekly haul.

Aldi aims to compete with both Walmart and Target, and the analysis done by AARP showed that for the same basket of basic groceries, Aldi was the cheapest (just a tad below Walmart but almost $10 below Target). If you don't live near an Aldi, keep reading to check out the options for the cheapest grocery stores near you. 

The 13 Cheapest Grocery Stores in the United States

1. Aldi

The overall cheapest grocery store in the U.S. is Aldi. How does it do it? Aldi keeps costs down by not selling brand names and by keeping staffing to a minimum. If you’ve ever hesitated to buy a store brand over the better-recognized (more aggressively marketed) brands, it’s time to reconsider.

Many generic brands at Aldi are the same product but much more reasonably priced, since the chain doesn’t need to pass on costs for fancy, colorful packaging or using a famous name. Other items that are almost always cheaper at Aldi include chicken filets, eggs, canned goods, cheese, high-quality (and Fair Trade) chocolate, fresh herbs and vegan items.

While the chain doesn’t offer a loyalty program, as the cheapest grocery store in the U.S. it claims to save shoppers up to 40% on their weekly grocery bill compared to other traditional grocery stores. It also has an app that notifies you of weekly offers, new products, price reductions and more.

2. WinCo Foods

If you live in the Midwest, the cheapest grocery store for you may be WinCo Foods. WinCo originated in Boise, Idaho. It’s a great place to buy perishable grocery items like meat and produce because it sources from local farmers. That means you can not only save money, but you can feel good about shopping at any of its 139 stores.

Items on which you’re likely to save money include basic staples like eggs, bananas, milk, chicken breasts, toilet paper, butter and rice. Compare these products and prices to other grocery store giants like Costco, and while some are slightly higher, many are cheaper. There is also no membership fee to shop at WinCo Foods, making it a competitive option for anyone seeking the cheapest grocery stores.

3. Market Basket

New Englanders know that one of the most affordable grocery stores is Market Basket. The chain has over 94 stores on the East Coast and offers the full spectrum of grocery items. Due to its concentration of stores near the coast, Market Basket is one of the cheapest grocery stores for fresh seafood. 

Promising “value in every aisle,” this contender for the cheapest grocery store also offers loyalty program members access to a changing list of what it calls “Crazy Pricing” specials. There’s also an app, featuring coupons, recipes and more, enhancing your grocery shopping experience at participating stores and helping you to save more money. It’ll even pop up with various offers as you wind your way through the store.

4. Trader Joe's

What is the cheapest grocery store if you like pre-prepared foods? Head down to Trader Joe’s, a national chain of neighborhood stores with a cult following for its self-branded heat-and-eat food selection. If you are a foodie and like to buy more luxury or specialty items, Trader Joe’s will have more choices than your typical neighborhood shop and the grocery store prices are often much lower.

While there’s no app, no coupons and no way to buy in bulk, there are some products at Trader Joe’s that set it apart as one of the cheapest grocery stores. Items like cheese, wine and frozen foods often offer fantastic value for money.

The frozen food section is full of fan favorites, such as the chain’s Mandarin Orange Chicken. This costs just $4.99 compared to a similar-sized bag of P.F Chang’s Orange Chicken, which will set you back $7.69 at Target (based on prices at the time of publishing). 

5. Grocery Outlet

Grocery Outlet is one of the cheapest grocery stores in the country. Similar to a clothing outlet store, Grocery Outlet works with distributors and manufacturers to capture overstock items, order cancellations from other retailers and packaging changes. By harnessing these deals, the chain will often win a grocery store price comparison hands down while passing on prices up to 40% less than competitors. Grocery Outlet is located in eight states with over 100 stores.

If you decide to add Grocery Outlet to your hit-list of cheapest grocery stores, be sure to download the app. Designed to show you the most up-to-date deals, in-stock products and exclusive offers, it helps you find savings fast and even offers $5 off your next shop when you download and register.

6. Food 4 Less

If you live in Illinois, Indiana or California you may be able to find a Food 4 Less to get cheap groceries. Food 4 Less is a subsidiary of Kroger that uses a no-frills warehouse-style store across 101 locations. You’ll have to bag your own groceries, but who cares when you’re shopping at one of the cheapest grocery stores?

As one of the cheapest grocery stores in its operational states, Food 4 Less offers registered customers a selection of coupons to redeem against their shop, bringing the price down overall. It also boasts an app, in which you can access the coupons, gain access to the chain’s weekly deals and even track fuel points, helping you to save on your weekly fuel bill.

7. Walmart

There’s no question that Walmart is still one of the most inexpensive grocery stores. Its size and scope gives it purchasing and negotiating power unlike any other retailer. Walmart is easily accessible to nearly every household in America, and not only is it one of the cheapest grocery stores, it’s also a one-stop shop for all your household needs, adding to the cost efficiency of shopping here.

The more you shop at Walmart, the more you’ll be rewarded. Thanks to the Walmart Rewards program, you’ll gain points every time you shop, which can later be redeemed as gift cards for a selection of retailers or applied as credits against your Walmart purchases. By using the app, you can also collect offers when purchasing select products, receiving Walmart Cash to your account every time you do so. 

8. Target

Target is a top competitor in the cheapest grocery store game. Its attractive and well-lit grocery aisles make it easy to find what you are looking for and still get price value. Target has partnerships with healthy food lines like Good & Gather which uses no artificial flavors or fillers, as well as heat-and-eat food lines like Hello Fresh. This makes it one of the cheapest grocery stores for those trying to eat healthier.

As one of the cheapest grocery stores, you may be wondering if it has a loyalty program. The answer is yes! Named “Target Circle,” it comes with an associated app, designed to serve as “your shopping and saving sidekick.” Think of it as your own deal-obsessed assistant and you’ll get a sense of why it’s worth downloading. A free membership signs you up to receive deals and bonuses, while a paid membership comes with additional perks including same-day delivery. 

9. Giant Eagle

Giant Eagle was one of the first true grocery stores in our country. It’s family-owned and run with over 470 stores in Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland and Indiana. This retailer was a pioneer in terms of grocery technology (think glass-front, stand up freezers and automated registers) which allowed it to offer better prices. It was also one of the first grocers to offer a gourmet food selection and remains one of the cheapest grocery stores for luxury items.

Shoppers can sign up to myPerks — a free loyalty program designed to help you earn free gas and groceries. Essentially you’ll earn “perks” every time you shop or fill up the gas tank. On your grocery bill, members can earn 1 perk for every dollar spent, with two perks available on select Giant Eagle, Market District and Nature’s Basket branded items. Want to go pro and really make this the cheapest grocery store for you? If you do, you’ll earn 50% more perks.

10. Wegmans 

Wegman’s is a household name for families living on the Northern seaboard and one of the cheapest grocery stores in the region. With over 110 stores in just eight states, Wegman’s delivers value by keeping a close eye on what competitors are offering and focusing on low prices for the products that your family needs most. 

The chain’s Shopper’s Club is a free-access membership that offers digital coupons, shopping lists organized by aisle and member-only mailings, helping you to get the most value out of each trip to this contender for the cheapest grocery store.

11. BJ’s 

A list of the cheapest grocery stores wouldn’t be complete without the bulk shopping chains. BJ’s is found on the East Coast with more than 200 outlets. Buying in bulk is a great way to save money for families, but BJ’s also offers some of the cheapest groceries for couples and singles with its smaller package options. 

BJ’s is a membership-only store, and it’s not free. However, the perks of membership help to make this one of the cheapest grocery stores for bulk shoppers.

The basic Club Card membership starts at $55 per year, offering up to 25% off grocery store prices, the option for curbside pickup, same-day delivery and shipping, plus everyday low prices at BJ’s Gas. For $110 per year, in addition to the basic membership rewards, Club+ Card members receive 2% back in rewards on most purchases, five cents off every gallon of gas and more perks besides.

12. Costco

We can’t discuss the cheapest grocery stores for bulk shopping without mentioning Costco. Costco has nearly 600 warehouses and is located across the entire country. It differentiates itself from competitors by carrying more recognizable brand names and offering discounts on things like gasoline and furniture.

Similarly to BJ’s, you’ll need to sign up to shop at Costco, choosing from Gold Star ($65 per year) and Executive ($130 per year) membership. While it is the more expensive option, Executive membership does come with some perks that really help set Costco apart as one of the cheapest grocery stores. To start, qualified purchases will earn towards an annual 2% reward — that’s up to $1,250 annually, and it never expires!

Other Executive perks that make Costco one of the cheapest grocery stores include Costco Travel. And in case you’re thinking that Gold Star members can also use this service, only Executive members can do so while earning towards that 2% annual reward.

Additional services that Costco defines as “value beyond the warehouse” include auto and home insurance, Costco’s auto program and pet insurance, all helping to make the rest of your life that little bit more affordable.

13. Sam’s Club

The grand-daddy of the cheapest grocery stores is Sam’s Club. It has approximately the same number of stores across the country as Costco, but cost analysis will typically show that Sam’s Club has slightly cheaper prices on bulk items than its main competitor. 

The membership price is also less expensive — $50 per year for Club membership and $100 per year for Plus. As a member, you’ll enjoy perks including free shipping, pickup and same-day delivery. Add to this the carefully curated Member’s Mark line of items, including affordable groceries as well as items for the home and garden, not to mention travel, pharmacy and optical savings, and it’s no surprise Sam’s Club makes it to our list of the cheapest grocery stores.

Everybody has to eat, but you don’t want to spend your entire paycheck on food. Especially now, with the eye-watering grocery bills being paid by households across the country, finding the cheapest grocery store in your area is a great way to save money. 

Are brand names important to you? Do you purchase gourmet items or are you just as happy with generic brands? Putting a little more thought into the type of groceries you buy and where you buy them is worth the effort. And your food might even taste a little better if you know you spent less for it.

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