Walmart is one of the largest retail discount departmental stores in the world. It operates 5342 stores in the United States. As of 2021, its global net sales amounted to 555 billion dollars.
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 seafood is cheaper.
Continue reading for a detailed comparison and to find what products are cheaper at Walmart and what is cheaper at Aldi.
Contents
Here are 12 household essentials compared as directly as possible.
1. Frozen Waffles:
Aldi’s Breakfast Best Homestyle Waffles are significantly cheaper than Walmart’s Great Value Buttermilk Waffles, with Aldi charging $1.99 for 10 waffles versus Walmart’s $6.68.
2. Frozen Chicken Nuggets:
Aldi offers a slightly better price per ounce on chicken nuggets, even though Walmart’s bag is a bit larger.
3. Avocados:
Aldi’s avocados are priced lower per unit compared to Walmart, making them a more economical choice.
4. Raspberries:
Aldi provides a cheaper option for conventionally grown raspberries, while Walmart sells organic raspberries at a higher price.
5. Whole Milk:
A gallon of milk is nearly $1 cheaper at Aldi compared to Walmart.
6. Irish Butter:
Aldi’s Countryside Creamery Pure Irish Butter is over $1 less expensive per block than Walmart’s Kerrygold.
7. Almond Butter:
Aldi’s Simply Nature Creamy Almond Butter costs $1.09 less than Walmart’s Sam’s Choice brand.
8. Granulated Sugar:
Aldi also leads in the sugar category, with their sugar being over 25 cents cheaper per four-pound bag.
9. Extra Virgin Olive Oil:
Aldi’s Priano Extra Virgin Olive Oil is 33 cents cheaper than Walmart’s equivalent.
10. Black Beans:
Walmart takes the lead here with its Great Value Organic Black Beans priced 30 cents cheaper than Aldi’s.
11. Everything Bagels:
Aldi offers a better deal with more bagels per bag and slightly larger bagels for less money.
12. Oreo Cookies:
There is no price difference between Aldi and Walmart for Oreo cookies, with both offering the same pricing.
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, with around 2,300 to 2,400 stores in the US, Aldi is not available in all states.
- Walmart boasts over 4,700 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 | Aldi |
| Meat & Seafood | Walmart |
| Breakfast Cereals | Aldi |
| Dairy & Eggs | Aldi |
| Pantry Items | Aldi |
| Bakery & Bread | Aldi |
| Pasta & Grains | Walmart |
| Beverages & Soda | Walmart |
| Frozen Foods | Aldi |
| Chips & Snacks | Walmart |
| Personal Care Products | Walmart |
| 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 |
| Green Onions | $0.89 | $0.88 |
| Pineapple | $1.69 | $2.28 |
| 1 Pound Asparagus | $2.49 | $2.98 |
| I Pound Red Grapes | $1.39 | $2.48 |
| Oranges, 3lb | $4.99 | $5.23 |
When it comes to perishable groceries, Aldi has lower prices than Walmart.
Non-Perishable Groceries
| Product | Aldi price | Walmart price |
| 28 oz Bush’s Best Original Baked Beans | $1.98 | $2.18 |
| 12 oz Chunk Light Tuna | $1.80 | $1.72 |
| 2 Pounds Granulated Bouillon Chicken | $4.88 | $4.74 |
| 15 oz Canned Tomato Sauce | $0.54 | $0.64 |
| 5 Pounds All-Purpose Flour | $1.15 | $1.56 |
Walmart has a couple of lowly priced items, but Aldi still wins in this category.
Meat & Seafood
| Product | Aldi price | Walmart price |
| I pound Chicken Breast | $1.99 | $2.38 |
| Bacon | $3.89 | $3.24 |
| I Pound Pork Loin | $2.99 | $3.38 |
| 1 Pound Fresh Salmon | $7.49 | $7.64 |
| 1 Pound Beef Stew Meat | $5.49 | $5.98 |
| Imitation Crab Meat, 8 oz | $2.19 | $1.99 |
Aldi has lower meat prices than Walmart, with the exception being bacon and seafood.
Breakfast Cereals
| Product | Aldi price | Walmart price |
| 42 oz Old Fashioned Oats | $2.45 | $2.58 |
| 15 oz Frosted Flakes | $1.49 | $2.98 |
| 18 oz Corn Flakes | $1.39 | $1.43 |
| Bran Flakes | $1.99 | $1.98 |
| Fit & Active Vitality Cereal Vanilla Almond | $1.95 | $2.25 |
Aldi wins over Walmart in this category, with the cheapest breakfast cereals.
Dairy & Eggs
| Product | Aldi price | Walmart price |
| Oat Milk, 64 oz | $0.46/oz | $0.86/oz |
| Almond Milk, 64 oz | $1.79 | $2.22 |
| Butter, 16 oz | $1.89 | $2.98 |
| Eggs, 12-ct | $1.31 | $1.53 |
| Free Range Organic Eggs,12-ct | $2.39 | $3.62 |
Even though dairy prices fluctuate often, Aldi beats Walmart overall.
Pantry Items
| Product | Aldi price | Walmart price |
| Soy Sauce, 15 oz. | $1.29 | $1.48 |
| Pure Maple Syrup, 12.5oz | $6.09 | $7.98 |
| Peanut Butter,40 oz. | $2.29 | $3.47 |
| Barbecue Sauce,18 oz | $0.95 | $0.98 |
| Mayonnaise, 30 oz | $1.94 | $2.48 |
When it comes to stocking up your pantry, Aldi wins this category over Walmart.
Bakery & Bread
| Product | Aldi price | Walmart price |
| White Bread | $0.65 | $0.84 |
| Hot Dog Buns | $0.79 | $0.88 |
| Tortillas | $1.29 | $1.33 |
| Plai.n English Muffins | $1.15 | $1.18 |
| Chocolate Mini Donuts | $2.39 | $2.36 |
As seen above, Aldi has lower prices than Walmart.
Pasta & Grains
| Product | Aldi price | Walmart price |
| Mac & Cheese, 7.25 oz | $0.34 | $0.34 |
| Jasmine Rice, 5 Pounds | $0.069/oz | $ 0.077/oz |
| Elbow Macaroni | $1.82 | $1.64 |
| Instant White Rice, 28 oz | $2.65 | $2.44 |
| Gluten Free Penne, 16 oz | $2.89 | $2.98 |
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 | $2.05 | $1.96 |
| 64 fl oz Cranberry Juice Cocktail | $1.95 | $1.83 |
| 20 fl oz Bolthouse Farm Green Goodness Smoothie | $2.11 | $3.53 |
| 10 6 fl oz pouches of Fruit Punch Capri Sun | $2.05 | $1.98 |
| 8 20 fl oz bottles of Thirst Quencher Gatorade | $5.49 | $5.48 |
In this category, Walmart had the upper hand over Aldi.
Frozen Foods
| Product | Aldi price | Walmart price |
| Vanilla Ice Cream, 48 oz | $1.85 | $3.98 |
| Corn, 12 oz | $0.47 | $1.00 |
| Thin Crust Cheese Pizza | $2.19 | $2.80 |
| Brussels Sprouts, 12 oz | $1.15 | $1.27 |
| Cooked Shrimp | $4.59 | $5.60 |
Aldi wins this category over Walmart.
Chips & Snacks
| Product | Aldi price | Walmart price |
| Plain Potato Chips, 8 oz | $1.35 | $1.23 |
| Chocolate Chip Cookies, 4oz | $2.29 | $2.74 |
| Mini Pretzels, 16 oz | $1.32 | $1.33 |
| Fruit Snacks, 28 ct | $0.15/oz | $0.136/oz |
| Dark Chocolate Bar | $0.29/oz | $0.56/oz |
When it comes to dry snacks, Walmart beats Aldi due to its tax-free status.
Personal Care Products
| Product | Aldi price | Walmart price |
| 5.4 oz Crest Complete Extra Whitening Toothpaste | $3.29 | $2.42 |
| 500 Cotton Swabs | $1.75 | $1.98 |
| 36 Count Ultra Thin Pads | $3.95 | $4.07 |
| 28 fl oz Men’s Suave Ocean Charge 2 in 1 | $4.35 | $3.54 |
| Diapers | $10.99 per 100 diapers | $17.57 per 160 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.
