13 Cheapest Grocery Stores in the USA in 2025

One of the biggest expenses for any household is food, so many consumers are doing their research to find the cheapest grocery stores. In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics puts food spending as the third biggest expense for most Americans after housing and transportation. 

And, anyone who does a weekly shopping trip can testify that food prices are significantly higher than just a few years ago. According to some reports, like those published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, food prices rose 23.6% between 2020 and 2024, and they only appear to be going up more in 2025. In real numbers, that means that your $300 grocery shop in 2020 will now cost $370 or more. 

Even if you find the cheapest grocery stores, you still need to be a frugal shopper to get the best deals. Yet, ensuring you shop at grocery stores in America with the lowest prices is a step in the right direction toward lowering your grocery bill.

In this guide, we'll highlight the 13 cheapest grocery stores in the U.S., while also offering some tips on how to save even more money while shopping at these chains. So, if you've been wondering, "Where can I find the cheapest groceries?", read on to discover the cheapest food stores in the U.S. 

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• The 13 Cheapest Grocery Stores in the United States
• 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

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. We also recommend getting the app that notifies you of weekly offers, new products, price reductions and more.

How Does Aldi Keep Prices Down?

By avoiding brand-name products and keeping staffing needs low. 

Aldi Money Saving Tips

Download the Aldi app to get weekly notifications about price reductions and new items (which may be products you buy elsewhere for 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, and now has over 140 stores across the U.S.

We find that it's notably 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 can also feel good about shopping at the stores as they prioritize smaller local businesses.

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.

How Does WinCo Keep Prices Down?

By buying directly from producers instead of having a wholesale distributor as a middleman. 

WinCo Money Saving Tips

Sign up to get WinCo Digital Coupons, allowing you to save on items you already buy. 

3. Market Basket

New Englanders know that one of the most affordable grocery stores is Market Basket. The chain has over 90 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 our favorite picks among the cheapest grocery stores for fresh seafood. 

Promising “value in every aisle,” this contender for the title of 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.

How Does Market Basket Keep Prices Down?

By paying suppliers straight away to avoid debt (surprisingly, something very few grocery chains do), having a smaller head office team than many competitors and by selling almost exactly the same products across all stores, allowing Market Basket to buy vast quantities at bulk prices and improving efficiency and logistics between stores. 

Market Basket Money Saving Tips

Sign up for the loyalty program to get money-off deals and download the Market Basket app, which has coupons and notifies you of special offers as you shop. 

4. Trader Joe's

What is the cheapest grocery store if you like pre-prepared foods? The answer for most will be Trader Joe’s, a national chain of neighborhood stores with a cult following for its self-branded heat-and-eat food selection.

If you're 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.

Trader Joe's frozen food (including Trader Joe's ice cream), cheese, and nuts often offer fantastic value for money. Additionally, Trader Joe's wine and Trader Joe's olive oil are some of the most affordable on the market while still being good quality. 

As mentioned, 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).

If you're trying to replace expensive take-out with more affordable options from the grocery store, Trader Joe's will likely have the dish you're looking for. There's even a huge range of Trader Joe's vegan products and Trader Joe's gluten-free items, making it a great pick among cheap grocery stores for almost everyone. 

How Does Trader Joe's Keep Prices Down?

By selling private label items instead of those by well-known brands. This inexpensive grocery store also claims to be committed to keeping prices low, only increasing prices if suppliers do, instead of increasing prices purely for profit gains. 

Trader Joe's Money Saving Tips

Create a list before arriving and try to stick to it! The array of new and unique products can entice customers to spend more than they intended on items they didn't plan to buy. 

5. Grocery Outlet

Grocery Outlet is another of the cheapest grocery stores in the country, with over 500 locations to date. 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 offering prices up to 40% less than competitors. 

If you decide to add Grocery Outlet to your hit-list of cheapest grocery stores, we suggest downloading 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.

How Does Grocery Outlet Keep Prices Down? 

By purchasing excess inventory from other brands at discounted prices, passing these savings on to the consumer. 

Grocery Outlet Money Saving Tips

Download the Grocery Outlet app to access special offers and sale information.  

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.

How Does Food 4 Less Keep Prices Down?

By being a warehouse-style store with fewer staffing overheads than many grocery stores. This cheap food store also sells many Kroger private label brands, which they can price more reasonably than big brand products. 

Food 4 Less Money Saving Tips

Download the Food 4 Less app to get coupons and sale notifications. 

7. Walmart

There’s no question that Walmart is still one of the most inexpensive grocery stores. Its size and scope give 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, but it’s also a one-stop shop for all your household needs, adding to the cost efficiency of shopping here. Plus, you can find a store-brand version of almost every necessity, from baking and pantry supplies to healthy Walmart snacks, bread, and more. 

Best of all, 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. 

How Does Walmart Keep Prices Down?

By being one of the largest retailers in the world, it benefits from a vast supplier network and extensive economies of scale. 

Walmart Money Saving Tips

Become part of the Walmart Rewards Program and download the app to receive notice of special offers. Opting for own-brand over branded products can also save you a lot when shopping at this renowned cheap grocery store. 

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.

Notably, Target has healthy food lines like Good & Gather, which uses no artificial flavors or fillers. 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 to help you save even more. 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. 

How Does Target Keep Prices Down?

By offering many own-brand products and by using an economy pricing strategy, which sets prices as low as possible to make only a small profit on each sale, with the goal of outpricing competitors. 

Target Money Saving Tips

Sign-up for the loyalty program to receive special offers and bonuses. Try to stick to your list as much as possible as well; Target is an impulse buyer's worst nightmare (or dream, depending on how you look at it!) 

9. Giant Eagle

Giant Eagle was one of the first true grocery stores in our country. It’s family-owned and run with hundreds of stores across 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). 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.

While the luxury, non-necessity items are cheap on average, these items can still bring up your total grocery spend if you purchase too many. Generally, Giant Eagle is the most affordable grocery store when it comes to everyday essentials, so we recommend sticking to these when shopping here. Consumers notably mention meat at Giant Eagle as being cheaper than at similar chains. 

In terms of loyalty programs, 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 one 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 reach the Pro level of myPerks, you’ll earn 50% more perks. The current ways to do this involve earning 2,500 perks over a six-month period with the standard myPerks program or completing 25 qualifying trips to Giant Eagle, GetGo or Market District locations within six months.

How Does Giant Eagle Keep Prices Down?

By offering price rollbacks on many products to reduce prices compared to competitors. Giant Eagle often implements price locks as well, especially around holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas and the 4th of July. 

Giant Eagle Money Saving Tips

Join the myPerks program and, if possible, shop enough to qualify for the Pro version. 

10. Wegmans 

Wegmans is a household name for families living on the Northern seaboard, and it's one of the cheapest grocery stores in the region. With over 110 stores in 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. 

However, some may be surprised to see Wegmans on a list of the cheapest places for groceries. And, that's somewhat fair. In certain cases, Wegmans is considered one of the most expensive grocery stores. But, high prices generally relate to non-necessity items. If doing a standard essentials shop here, the prices are reasonable. 

You can also gain some special offers via the chain’s Shopper’s Club. This is a free-to-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.

How Does Wegmans Keep Prices Down?

By selling many own-brand products. 

Wegmans Money Saving Tips

Become part of the Shopper's Club to access special offers and coupons. Due to luxury items being expensive, it's important to make a shopping list and stick to it to keep your grocery bill down at Wegmans. 

11. BJ’s Wholesale Club

A list of the cheapest grocery stores wouldn’t be complete without the bulk shopping chains. BJ’s is one of them. Found on the East Coast with more than 200 outlets, it's one of only a few competitors for bulk retailing giant Costco.

Buying in bulk is a great way for families to save money. However, BJ’s also offers some of the cheapest groceries for couples and singles with its smaller package options; something not available at all wholesalers. 

As with most bulk retailers, BJ’s is a membership-only store, and it’s not free to join. Yet, the perks of membership help to make this one of the cheapest grocery stores for bulk shoppers, and most consumers say that the savings they make shopping here quickly outweigh the membership fees.

The basic Club Card membership currently 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 additional perks throughout the year. 

How Does BJ's Wholesale Club Keep Prices Down?

By purchasing and selling in bulk, the brand benefits from economies of scale. Staffing overheads can also be reduced slightly as products are generally displayed in packaging that they arrive in, and don't need to be neatly stacked on shelves by staff. 

BJ's Wholesale Club Money Saving Tips

Depending on how often you show there, the more expensive membership may end up being better value for money thanks to the loyalty rewards. When shopping in bulk, remember that a list of items you need can help you avoid making impulse purchases.

Avoid buying excessive quantities of products you might overuse simply because you have them, as this can reduce your overall savings. Also, only buy bulk perishables if you're sure you'll use them before they expire

12. Costco

We can’t discuss the cheapest grocery stores for bulk shopping without mentioning Costco. This household name of a cheap grocery store has nearly 600 warehouses and is located across the entire country (with many more outlets found globally). It differentiates itself from competitors by carrying more recognizable brand names and offering discounts on things like gasoline and furniture as well as food products.

This one-stop shop has almost everything you could need, from a vast selection of Costco wine and Costco desserts to Costco snacks of all varieties and even Costco prepared meals. Of course, shopping here also allows you to take advantage of the Costco food court menu, which can get you an affordable meal to round out your cheap grocery shop. 

Similarly to BJ’s, you’ll need to sign up to shop at Costco, choosing between Gold Star ($65 per year) and Executive ($130 per year) memberships. While it is the more expensive option, the 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!

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

How Does Costco Keep Prices Down?

By being a global wholesaler with an extensive supply network and the ability to use a bulk sales model with lower staffing costs than an average grocery store. 

Costco Money Saving Tips

The Executive membership is the best value for many customers despite costing more than the Gold membership up front. Bulk wholesaler shopping tips provided for BJ's Wholesale Club can also help save you money when applied to Costco. 

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.

How Does Sam's Club Keep Prices Down?

By offering wholesale prices on items when purchased in bulk. 

Sam's Club Money Saving Tips

Opt for Member’s Mark products and keep the wholesale shopping rules covered earlier in the article in mind during shopping. 

Why Are Grocery Store Prices So High?

Having covered some of the least expensive grocery stores in the country, you may also be wondering why groceries are so expensive at the moment. Ultimately, there are numerous factors to bear in mind. These include increases in manufacturing costs, global supply chain issues, inflation and the effect of tariffs.

Some also suggest that corporate grocery store brands are taking advantage of these factors to increase prices further than necessary in order to gain greater profits. Unfortunately, as consumers are forced to pay these prices for necessities, this reinforces the issue, making it unlikely many grocery store retailers will choose to lower prices even if things like tariff wars and supply chain issues are resolved. 

However, it can be seen that many consumers are cutting back on non-necessity items and even altering their standard essentials basket to reduce their grocery bill. Shopping around for the best deals can also be seen. In doing this, consumer habits are more likely to encourage grocery stores to eventually lower prices as they may see drops in sales and profits despite the profit on each item being higher. 

Operating Costs and Supply Chain Issues 

It’s important to note that an increase in operating costs over the last few years has contributed 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. 

Despite all of this, the profit margins of the country’s biggest grocery stores increased in recent years. According to a report by the Federal Trade Commission in March 2024, grocery retailer revenue 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%.

Tariffs

The 2025 grocery market has also had to deal with tariffs. Grocery store chains and their suppliers must pay the tariffs on products imported from various countries, including major trading partners Mexico and Canada.

Unfortunately, suppliers don't generally absorb these costs, and the tariff amount is passed on to the consumer, increasing the sticker price of many items on sale in the grocery store. In some cases, there is no U.S.-made alternative available, forcing consumers to pay this higher price. 

Will Grocery Prices Fall?

As many of the reasons for grocery store prices increasing should be temporary, surely that means the prices at grocery stores will come down eventually? Unfortunately, that may not be the case.

As the FTC report says, the findings of grocery store chains making higher than ever profits 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 manufacture the overwhelming majority of products we buy each month have decided not to reduce 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?

While it may currently seem like all grocery stores are expensive, some are undoubtedly cheaper than others (such as those featured in this guide to the cheapest grocery stores) and still offer good deals if you know where to look. To best take advantage of these offers, it's a good idea to shop around and sign up for loyalty programs which notify you of sales and provide digital coupons.

Many of these programs also keep track of what you purchase and can let you know when your frequently shopped products are on sale. There are even third-party apps like Flipp, which scan all grocery stores for deals and coupons. 

Choosing the right grocery store is also 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. 

Branded Products vs. Own-Brand

Another consideration that can make cheap grocery stores seem expensive is whether you favor the big-name brands or shop for store-brand alternatives. Often, the difference between the quality of these products is negligible, especially compared to the difference in price, which can be substantial. 

Total Food Spend

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 all (or most of) the time or are eating out a lot. 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. If opting to eat in more than out, this may actually see your grocery bills go up even when shopping at the cheapest grocery stores.

However, remember to calculate the total you were spending on food (which includes dine-in restaurant meals and take-out) and compare that to your new total, which will primarily comprise what you spend at the grocery store. 

Removing a few restaurant meals or take-out lunches doesn't even have to be a bad thing! You can improve your culinary skills by making dishes yourself and can turn an evening of cooking into a date night or family activity.

Plus, you can have fun searching for recipe inspiration; there's no shortage of delicious dinner food ideas and easy lunch food ideas out there, with options for all diets and budgets. 

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 generally always the one that you physically go to.

Grocery delivery only adds to already steep prices unless you live very far from a physical grocery store and know that gas both ways will cost more than delivery. When calculating this, it's also important to remember that delivery brands like Instacart may charge higher prices for items compared to the in-store price. A tip is often expected as well, adding to the total cost of grocery delivery. 

Now that we've established the cheapest grocery store is generally the one you physically shop at, which one should you be heading to? 

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 for a standard basket of goods). 

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. 

If you've been wondering, "What is the cheapest food store?", this guide should have helped you to answer that question. There's also a cheap grocery store for almost all tastes and shopping requirements. 

Are brand names important to you? Do you purchase gourmet items or are you just as happy with generic brands? Are you looking for the cheapest wholesale grocery stores? No matter what, there's an inexpensive grocery store to meet your needs. 

Plus, putting a little more thought into the type of products you buy and where to buy cheap groceries is worth the effort. And your food might even taste a little better if you know you spent less to get it!

To stay up to date, check out other food and drink news on Cozymeal.