Walmart operates 4,616 stores across the U.S. and over 10,500 globally, employing 2.1 million people. Known for its vast selection and convenience, it remains the largest retailer in the nation. Aldi, however, is expanding rapidly. In 2025, it announced plans to open more than 225 new U.S. locations—the most in a single year—by building new stores and converting select Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarkets.
Aldi’s no-frills, private-label model helps keep prices low, appealing to budget-conscious shoppers. With Walmart’s scale and Aldi’s aggressive growth, both are major players in affordable grocery shopping. But when it comes down to price—which is really cheaper?
If you’re trying to stretch your grocery budget, you’ve probably wondered: should I shop at Aldi or Walmart? Both retailers are known for their low prices, but after two in-depth grocery hauls and side-by-side comparisons, we finally have an answer. From fresh produce to cooking oils, dairy, meats, and pantry staples, here’s how the two stores stack up across the board.
Contents
Produce: Aldi Wins
3 lb Apples: Aldi $2.79 vs. Walmart $3.50
3 lb Onions: Aldi $2.29 vs. Walmart $2.57
10 lb Potatoes: Aldi $3.99 vs. Walmart (5 lb) $3.18
Verdict: Aldi beats Walmart on nearly every produce item with consistently lower price-per-pound options.
Ground Beef & Steaks: Walmart Wins
Aldi: Limited to grass-fed ground beef ($5.29/lb for 85/15) and skirt steak ($6.99/lb).
Walmart: Offers multiple grass-fed options (80/20, 85/15, 90/10), plus New York strip, ribeye, and sirloin cuts.
Verdict: Aldi is cheaper on ground beef, but Walmart wins for variety and premium cuts.
Seafood: Walmart Wins
Aldi: Mostly farm-raised; frozen wild-caught fish often processed in China.
Walmart: Wide selection of wild-caught fish, including U.S.-sourced salmon, cod, and mahi-mahi.
Verdict: Walmart offers superior quality and better traceability for seafood lovers.
Cooking Oils: Tie
Walmart: Large selection of single-origin EVOO, avocado oil, ghee, and coconut oil.
Aldi: Lower prices on organic and Sicilian single-origin EVOO; glass-packaged avocado oil.
Verdict: Walmart wins on variety; Aldi edges out on price and packaging. It’s a tie.
Chicken: Aldi Wins
Aldi: Organic chicken breast at $5.79/lb and whole chicken at $2.79/lb.
Walmart: Organic breast meat at $6.48/lb with fewer options.
Verdict: Aldi is 12%+ cheaper and offers whole chicken, giving it the clear win.
Bread: Aldi Wins
Aldi: Offers private-label versions of Dave’s Killer Bread for up to 64% less; sprouted grain options.
Walmart: Carries Dave’s Killer Bread at 24¢–27¢/oz.
Verdict: Aldi dominates with both lower prices and better nutrition profiles.
Butter: Aldi Wins
Aldi: Grass-fed Irish butter at 44¢/oz vs. Walmart’s KerryGold at 54¢/oz.
Organic Butter: Aldi’s option is 20% cheaper.
Verdict: Aldi offers fewer options but beats Walmart in price for high-quality butter.
Cheese: Aldi Wins
Organic String Cheese: Aldi 33% cheaper than Walmart.
Grass-Fed Irish Cheddar: Aldi’s version is 23% cheaper.
Australian Cheese: Aldi’s price is 24% lower.
Verdict: Massive savings at Aldi across the board.
Dairy (Yogurt & Milk): Split
Yogurt: Aldi’s organic, whole milk Greek yogurt is 28% cheaper and nutritionally superior.
Milk: Walmart offers more options including grass-fed; Aldi’s organic milk is 7% more expensive.
Verdict: Aldi wins on yogurt; Walmart wins on milk.
Eggs: Tie
Pasture-Raised & Organic: Prices are within 2–5 cents at both stores.
Verdict: Practically identical in quality and price.
Final Verdict: Aldi Wins
After reviewing over 30 product matchups, Aldi comes out ahead in 6 out of 9 categories, tying in 2 and only losing 1 (seafood).
Best for Budget & Health-Conscious Shoppers: Aldi
Best for Variety and Premium Cuts: Walmart
If you’re prioritizing organic, grass-fed, and pantry staples at the lowest price, Aldi is the clear winner. But if you need greater selection or specific items like fresh wild-caught fish or steak cuts, Walmart still has the edge.
