During high inflation, stretching your dollar matters and sometimes, comparing prices can help save you money, depending on where you shop and what and how much you buy. For this comparison, GOBankingRates spent $50 at two grocery grocery stores: Walmart and Trader Joe’s.
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Walmart is the superstore giant with a huge selection of grocery items in contrast to Trader Joe’s, a neighborhood store known for its specialty, private-label products. Both stores sell basic food staples and premium options. However, for this task, we shopped for the cheapest items at Trader Joe’s and Walmart — below are the results.
Bag of Romaine Hearts
- Cheaper price: $2.99 at Trader Joe’s
You may think that with all the options, a three-count bag of romaine hearts would be cheaper at Walmart. But Trader Joe’s Romaine Hearts beat the price slightly by 5 cents per bag. Fresh Romaine Lettuce Hearts at Walmart costs $3.04 per bag, for romaine hearts compared to Trader Joe’s $2.99. For a family, we bought two bags.
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Hass Avocados
- Cheaper price: $3.17 at Walmart
With tariffs, avocados have gone up in price. When buying Hass Avocados by the bag, you’ll pay $4.99 at TJ’s and $3.17 for a four-to-six-count bag at Walmart of Small Hass Avocados, saving shoppers nearly $1.82 per bag. We bought two.
Bananas
- Cheaper price: $1.15 at Trader Joe’s
When comparing fresh non-organic bananas, Trader Joe’s offered a better price at 23 cents each per Banana compared to 28 cents for a Fresh Banana at Walmart, making the difference in buying five bananas $1.15 at Trader Joe’s and $1.40 at Walmart, a savings of 25 cents.
Cherry Tomatoes
- Cheaper price: $4.99 at Trader Joe’s
Trader Joe’s had the better price for Cherry Tomatoes on the Vine. While Walmart’s package costs 1 cent less per package, at $4.99, Trader Joe’s you 12 ounces of tomatoes, which is four ounces more per penny than at Cherry Tomatoes on the Vine at Walmart.
Dozen Eggs
- Cheaper price: $2.72 at Walmart
For a dozen eggs, you’ll pay $5.99 for Pasture Raised Large Brown Eggs at Trader Joe’s and $2.72 at for Great Value Large White Eggs at Walmart for one 12-count carton. That’s a pretty big difference in cost for all your tasty omelettes and recipes.
Loaf of White Bread
- Cheaper price: $1.72 at Walmart
There was a substantial price variation when comparing the cheapest loaf of bread we could find at both stores. Great Value White Bread at Walmart costs $1.42 a loaf compared to $2.49 for White Sliced Bread at Trader Joe’s.
Organic Chicken Breasts
- Cheaper price: $6.74 per pound Walmart
Both Walmart and Trader Joe’s offer organic, skinless chicken breasts. The difference between the stores is that you’ll pay more than 75 cents more per pound at TJ’s, with a price of $7.49 per pound for Organic Free Range Boneless Chicken Breasts versus $6.74 per pound for Perdue Harvestland, Organic, Fresh Boneless Chicken Breasts at Walmart.
Fresh Atlantic Salmon
- Cheaper price: $9.47 at Walmart
Nothing beats fresh, juicy salmon on the grill in summer. The stores were neck and neck in pricing, with only a 2 cents difference per pound. The cost for unfrozen Skinless Atlantic Salmon at Walmart is $9.47 per pound at $9.99 per pound for Fresh Atlantic Boneless Salmon Fillet at Trader Joe’s.
Frozen Mandarin Chicken
- Cheaper price: $9.97 at Walmart
A family size 36-ounce bag of InnovAsian Orange Chicken at Walmart costs $4.48 more at $9.97 but you get 14 ounces more compared to Trader Joe’s 22-ounce bag of frozen Mandarin Orange Chicken for $5.49 per bag. Still, that’s almost twice the price.
Final Results: You’ll Pay $2.63 More at Trader Joe’s
We spent $45.57 at Trader Joe’s and $42.94 at Walmart for these specific grocery store items. The price difference was $2.63 more at Trader Joe’s. Keep in mind, the price difference can depend on the items you buy, if you use coupons or purchase items in bulk which may not be possible at every store.
Editor’s note: Pricing and availability may vary depending on location.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: What $50 in Groceries at Trader Joe’s Will Cost You at Walmart
