Walmart is one of the largest retail discount departmental stores in the world. It operates 4,609 stores in the United States. As of 2023, its global net sales amounted to $605.88 billion.
One of the factors that have led to the success of Walmart is its super-friendly prices. However, another company is giving it a run for its money, Aldi. Aldi has more than 2000 stores and is growing aggressively due to its low prices. So, is Aldi cheaper than Walmart?
Overall, Aldi is more affordable than Walmart, but it is category dependent. When it comes to chicken and bread, Aldi is cheaper than Walmart. On the other hand, Walmart’s perishable goods are cheaper.
Continue reading for a detailed comparison and to find what products are cheaper at Walmart and what is cheaper at Aldi.
Contents
- 1 Here are 15 of the most common household essentials compared as directly as possible:
- 2 Cost Savings
- 3 Product Availability and Variety
- 4 Store Locations
- 5 Online Shopping and Pickup
- 6 Impulse Purchases
- 7 Aldi vs. Walmart Price Comparison Summary
- 8 Aldi vs. Walmart Detailed Price Comparisons
- 9 FAQs
- 10 Conclusion
Here are 15 of the most common household essentials compared as directly as possible:
1. Whole Milk
Aldi: Friendly Farms 1 Gallon $2.89
Walmart: Great Value 1 Gallon $2.12
2. White Bread
Aldi: L’Oven Fresh 20 Oz $1.49
Walmart: Great Value White Sandwich Bread 20 Oz $1.42
3. Eggs
Aldi: Goldhen Grade A Large Whites 1 Dozen $2.09
Walmart: Great Value Grade AA Large Whites 1 Dozen $2.30
4. Bananas
Aldi: Organic Bananas $0.71 / 1 lb
Walmart: Marketside Fresh Organic Bananas $0.74 / 1 lb
5. Russet Potatoes
Aldi: Russet Potatoes 10 lb Bag $4.85
Walmart: Russet Potatoes 10 lb Bag $5.98
6. Frozen Boneless Chicken Breasts
Aldi: Kirkwood Frozen Chicken Breasts 3 lbs $9.15
Walmart: Great Value All Natural Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts 3 lbs $9.74
7. Spaghetti
Aldi: Reggano Spaghetti 32 Oz $2.09
Walmart: Great Value Spaghetti 32 Oz $1.92
8. White Rice
Aldi: Earthly Grains Long Grain White Rice 3 lbs $2.95 (6.1 ¢ per Oz)
Walmart: Great Value Long Grain Enriched Rice 2 lbs $1.77 (5.5 ¢ per Oz)
9. Cheese
Aldi: Happy Farms Mild Cheddar Cheese 8 Oz $1.95
Walmart: Great Value Mild Cheddar Cheese 8 Oz $2.00
10. Plain Yogurt
Aldi: Friendly Farms Nonfat Plain Yogurt 32 Oz $2.49
Walmart: Great Value Plain Nonfat Yogurt 32 Oz $2.56
11. Butter
Aldi: Countryside Creamery Sweet Cream Unsalted Butter Sticks 1 lb $3.95
Walmart: Great Value Sweet Cream Unsalted Butter Sticks 1 lb $3.98
12. Ground Beef
Aldi: Fresh 80% Lean 20% Fat Ground Beef Sirloin $4.19/lb
Walmart: All Natural* 80% Lean/20% Fat Ground Beef Chuck $5.97/lb
13. Canned Diced Tomatoes
Aldi: Happy Harvest Diced Tomatoes 14.5 Oz $0.99
Walmart: Great Value Diced Tomatoes 14.5 Oz $0.96
14. Honey Nut Cheerios 15.4 Oz
Aldi: $5.19
Walmart: $7.50
15. Original Potato Chips
Aldi: Clancy’s Original Potato Chips 10 Oz $1.79 (17.9¢ per Oz)
Walmart: Great Value Original Potato Chips 8 Oz $1.98 (24.8¢ per Oz)
As you can see, Aldi has outperformed Walmart in offering lower prices across 10 out of 15 of the most common household goods, often with a significant margin. This achievement is primarily due to Aldi’s streamlined operations, limited product selection, and focus on private-label brands, which help reduce costs. By keeping store layouts simple and minimizing overhead expenses, Aldi can pass the savings on to consumers. Their efficient supply chain and bulk purchasing also contribute to consistently lower prices, making them a go-to destination for budget-conscious shoppers seeking quality products at unbeatable prices.
Cost Savings
- Aldi is generally cheaper for most items, sometimes by a few pennies and other times by a larger margin. This can lead to significant savings over time, especially for a family-sized grocery haul and multiple shopping trips throughout the year.
- Walmart may have competitive prices and occasionally offers rollbacks on certain items, but it doesn’t run weekly sales like Aldi, which can result in less predictable savings.
Product Availability and Variety
- Aldi focuses on the basics and staples, offering fewer product choices but at better prices. This makes it a great option for shoppers who cook from scratch and prioritize savings over variety.
- Walmart offers a wider range of products, including more options for convenience items and semi-homemade meals. This can be beneficial for those just learning to cook or who rely on some convenience items to stay out of the drive-thru.
Store Locations
- Aldi has experienced significant growth, with over a thousand new stores in the last decade. However, there are only around 2,388 stores across 36 states in the US.
- Walmart boasts over 4,609 stores nationwide and is present in all 50 states, making it more accessible to a broader audience.
Online Shopping and Pickup
- Aldi offers online grocery ordering and pickup through third-party services like Instacart, which may include membership fees and item markups.
- Walmart provides a more seamless online grocery pickup experience with no minimum order fees (beyond a $35 threshold) and prices that match those found in-store, potentially offering better value for online shoppers.
Impulse Purchases
- Aldi is adept at encouraging impulse buys with its seasonal items and limited-time offers, creating a sense of urgency that may lead to additional spending.
- Walmart may offer a less tempting environment for impulse purchases, especially when utilizing online shopping to control spending.
Aldi vs. Walmart Price Comparison Summary
| Product | Cheaper Prices |
| Perishable Groceries | Aldi |
| Non- Perishable Groceries | Walmart |
| Meat & Seafood | Aldi |
| Breakfast Cereals | Walmart |
| Dairy & Eggs | Aldi |
| Pantry Items | Walmart |
| Bakery & Bread | Aldi |
| Pasta & Grains | Walmart |
| Beverages & Soda | Walmart |
| Frozen Foods | Walmart |
| Chips & Snacks | Aldi |
| Personal Care Products | Aldi |
| Service, Departments, and Public Perception | Aldi |
Aldi vs. Walmart Detailed Price Comparisons
The price comparison charts below are only for reference purposes, as some of the prices may vary from one region to another.
Perishable Groceries
| Product | Aldi price | Walmart price |
| Bananas | $0.71 /lb | $0.74 /lb |
| Gala Apples | $1.10 / lb | $1.37 /lb |
| Russet Potatoes (10 lb bag) | $4.85 | $5.98 |
| Roma Tomatoes | $0.99 /lb | $0.94 /lb |
| Iceberg Lettuce | $2.09 each | $2.18 each |
When it comes to perishable groceries, Aldi has lower prices than Walmart.
Non-Perishable Groceries
| Product | Aldi price | Walmart price |
| 15 oz Black Beans | $0.89 | $0.86 |
| 5 oz Chunk Light Tuna | $0.99 | $0.92 |
| 32 oz Chicken Broth | $1.49 | $1.37 |
| 8 oz Canned Tomato Sauce | $0.55 | $0.48 |
| 5 Pounds All-Purpose Flour | $2.59 | $2.38 |
Walmart wins this category, but Aldi still has great prices for these items.
Meat & Seafood
| Product | Aldi price | Walmart price |
| Chicken Breasts | $1.89 /lb | $2.67 /lb |
| Bacon 16 oz | $4.39 | $4.88 |
| Boneless Pork Loin | $2.29 /lb | $2.34 /lb |
| Fresh Atlantic Salmon Side | $8.49 /lb | $9.47 /lb |
| Beef Stew Meat | $6.79 /lb | $8.48 /lb |
| Ground Beef | $4.19 /lb | $5.97 /lb |
Aldi has lower meat prices than Walmart, in all of the above categories.
Breakfast Cereals
| Product | Aldi price | Walmart price |
| 42 oz Old Fashioned Oats | $4.35 | $3.98 |
| 26.8 oz Frosted Flakes (store brand) | $3.85 | $3.47 |
| 18 oz Corn Flakes (store brand) | $2.45 | $2.24 |
| Bran Flakes (store brand) | $3.09 18 oz (17.2¢ per oz) | $2.48 15.6 oz (15.9¢ per oz) |
| General Mills Honey Nut Cheerios | $5.19 | $7.50 |
Walmart wins over Aldi in this category, with the cheapest breakfast cereals.
Dairy & Eggs
| Product | Aldi price | Walmart price |
| Oat Milk, 64 oz | $3.85 | $3.98 |
| Almond Milk, 64 oz | $2.59 | $2.98 |
| Butter, 16 oz | $3.95 | $3.98 |
| Eggs, 12-ct | $2.09 | $2.30 |
| Cheddar Cheese 8 oz | $1.95 | $2.00 |
Even though dairy prices fluctuate often, Aldi beats Walmart overall.
Pantry Items
| Product | Aldi price | Walmart price |
| Soy Sauce, 15 oz. | $1.75 | $1.58 |
| Pure Maple Syrup, 12.5oz | $7.15 | $7.98 |
| Peanut Butter,40 oz. | $4.35 | $3.98 |
| Barbecue Sauce,18 oz | $1.65 | $1.48 |
| Mayonnaise, 30 oz | $3.65 | $3.38 |
When it comes to stocking up your pantry, Walmart wins over Aldi.
Bakery & Bread
| Product | Aldi price | Walmart price |
| White Bread | $1.49 | $1.42 |
| Hot Dog Buns 8 count | $1.45 | $1.46 |
| Fajita Size Flour Tortillas 20 count | $2.19 | $2.12 |
| Plain English Muffins 6 count | $1.09 | $1.50 |
| Hamburger Buns 8 count | $1.45 | $1.46 |
As seen above, Aldi has lower prices than Walmart.
Pasta & Grains
| Product | Aldi price | Walmart price |
| Mac & Cheese, 7.25 oz (store brand) | $0.65 | $0.58 |
| Jasmine Rice, 5 Pounds | $6.49 | $ 5.97 |
| Elbow Macaroni 32 oz | $2.09 | $1.92 |
| Instant White Rice, 28 oz | $2.85 | $2.62 |
| Penne, 16 oz | $1.09 | $0.98 |
Walmart has pretty competitive prices when it comes to the pasta and grains category when compared to Aldi.
Beverages & Soda
| Product | Aldi price | Walmart price |
| 2-liter bottle of Coca-Cola | $2.19 | $1.98 |
| 64 fl oz Cranberry Juice Cocktail (store brand) | $1.95 | $3.19 |
| 52 fl oz Bolthouse Farm Green Goodness Smoothie | $6.59 | $6.48 |
| 10 6 fl oz pouches of Fruit Punch Capri Sun | $3.29 | $2.98 |
| 8 20 fl oz bottles of Thirst Quencher Gatorade | $7.69 | $7.88 |
In this category, Walmart had the upper hand over Aldi.
Frozen Foods
| Product | Aldi price | Walmart price |
| Vanilla Ice Cream, 48 oz | $3.05 | $2.78 |
| Corn, 12 oz | $1.05 | $0.98 |
| Thin Crust Cheese Pizza | $3.59 | $4.97 |
| Mixed Vegetables 12 oz | $1.05 | $0.98 |
| French Fries 32 oz | $2.75 | $2.82 |
Walmart wins this category over Aldi.
Chips & Snacks
| Product | Aldi price | Walmart price |
| Plain Potato Chips | 10 Oz $1.79 (17.9¢ per Oz) | 8 Oz $1.98 (24.8¢ per Oz) |
| Chocolate Chip Cookies 13 oz (store brand) | $2.35 | $3.24 |
| Mini Pretzels, 16 oz | $2.34 | $2.24 |
| Fruit Snacks | $6.49 28 count | $5.27 22 count |
| Chocolate Covered Almonds | $4.39 11 oz | $6.18 12 oz |
When it comes to dry snacks, Aldi beats Walmart.
Personal Care Products
| Product | Aldi price | Walmart price |
| 5.4 oz Crest Complete Whitening + Scope Toothpaste | $4.39 | $8.43 |
| 500 Cotton Swabs | $2.39 | $2.18 |
| 36 Count Ultra Thin Pads | $3.29 | $3.82 |
| Hand Sanitizer | $2.05 8 oz (25.6¢ per oz) | $2.98 12 oz (24.8¢ per oz) |
| Diapers | $14.29 100 diapers | $30.00 116 diapers |
Aldi proved to be cheaper than Walmart in the personal care product category.
Service, Departments, and Public Perception
| Product | Aldi price | Walmart price |
| Curbside Pickup | When you order through Instacart or the website, you get same-day curbside pickup. | It offers a free same-day curbside pickup. |
| Delivery | Instacart delivery is facilitated at a fee. | It provides a free next-day and two-day delivery. |
| Shipping | No shipping | It has free 3-5 day shipping on $35 and above orders. |
| Return Policy | It has a “Twice as Nice Guarantee” | It has a 90-day return policy. |
| Loyalty Programs | It does not have a loyalty reward program. | It has a Walmart Plus membership. |
Aldi’s customer service and public perceptions rank higher than Walmart’s.
FAQs
Which products are generally cheaper at Aldi?
Aldi is more affordable than Walmart in many categories: bakery and bread, perishable goods, and meat.
Which products are generally cheaper at Walmart?
Seafood at Walmart is cheaper than Aldi.
How does Walmart beat Aldi?
Walmart has its advantages over Aldi in the following ways:
- Wide variety to choose from.
- They have coupons.
Does Walmart own Aldi?
No. Aldi is owned by a German company known as Albrecht Discounts.
Conclusion
Aldi wins against Walmart in a lot of categories; hence it is the cheaper alternative to shop in. Walmart is still a great option if you do not have an Aldi store nearby, especially for seafood and its Great Value store brand.
