You might want to rethink where you’re shopping for groceries.
A recent analysis by Consumer Reports revealed that Whole Foods Market topped the list as the priciest supermarket in the U.S., costing nearly 40% more than Walmart, which served as the study’s baseline.
Following closely behind was Shaw’s, a New England chain, with prices about 32% higher than Walmart.
Though Trader Joe’s often gets a reputation for being budget-friendly, it surprisingly ranks among the top 10 most expensive grocery chains, with prices approximately 25% higher than Walmart. In places like Denver and Dallas-Forth Worth, the price gap widens significantly, reaching 30% and 33% respectively.
On the less expensive side, Costco Wholesale emerged as the cheapest, boasting prices that were 21.4% lower than Walmart, closely followed by BJ’s Wholesale Club at 21% less, according to the survey.
Overall, the research indicated a stark disparity—the difference between the highest and lowest-priced stores exceeded 33%. This gap became even more prominent when comparing warehouse stores with specialty retailers.
These findings resonate with many shoppers who are increasingly anxious about rising grocery costs. An August 2025 survey found that most American adults feel stressed at least to some degree about what they’re spending on food.
According to data from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, food prices surged by 25.5% from December 2020 to December 2024. Dairy, beef, and pork prices are at or near record highs, and the cost of coffee has risen 20% in just a year.
Interestingly, the price of a carton of eggs spiked to an all-time high of $8.15 in March 2025, a result of shortages caused by bird flu, with some New York City retailers even offering “Rosie” style eggs.
Consumer Reports examined the prices of commonly purchased grocery items—including packaged goods, produce, and meat—across more than 20 major retail chains in six metropolitan areas like Boston, Chicago, and Dallas-Fort Worth. Of course, product size discrepancies can affect comparisons. Thus, it’s generally more effective when comparing larger retailers that carry an extensive range of products from the same brand.
For instance, in Chicago, a basket of 56 items was analyzed for comparisons between Food4Less, Jewel-Osco, Mariano’s, Meijer, Target, and Walmart, while a comparison between Trader Joe’s and Walmart featured only 23 items.
Consumer Reports mentioned that most Americans tend to shop at two or more retailers each week, so planning shopping trips strategically can really make a difference in the budget. This study was a collaboration between a nonprofit Buyer’s Guide and Strategic Resource Group, a New York-based market research firm specializing in retail and grocery.
Top 10 Cheapest Grocery Stores in the U.S., According to Consumer Reports
- Costco Wholesale
- BJ’s Wholesale Club
- Riddle
- Aldi
- Winco
- H.E.B.
- Walmart
- Market Basket
- Target
- Wegmans
Top 10 Most Expensive Grocery Stores in the U.S., According to Consumer Reports
- Whole Foods
- Shaw’s
- El Rancho
- Jewel-Osco
- Mariano’s
- Fons
- Big Y
- Tom Thumb
- Albertsons
- Trader Joe’s
