Most, low-cost grocery stores revealed: a new study

admin February 18, 2026

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Most, low-cost grocery stores revealed: a new study

You may need to rethink where you hold your grub.

A new analysis by Consumer Reports determined that the US supermarkets are the most expensive and the least expensive, on average, and the upscale Whole Foods Market was at the top of the list of low prices – at a cost of almost 40% more than what a consumer will pay in a Walmart supermarket, which was used as the basis of the study.

New England regional chain Shaw’s followed Whole Foods, with prices about 32% higher than Walmart.

Whole Foods was named the most expensive grocer in a Consumer Reports survey. Christopher Sadowski

Trader Joe’s, often thought of as budget-friendly, was also among the most expensive grocery chains in the US, rounding out the top ten.

TJ’s prices were about 25% higher than Walmart’s – and the difference was even greater in other metro areas like Denver (30% higher) and Dallas-Forth Worth (33% higher).

The cheapest grocery chain was Costco Wholesale, the findings showed, with prices 21.4% lower than Walmart, with BJ’s Wholesale Club following at 21% lower.

Overall, the study found that the difference between the highest-priced and lowest-priced stores was more than 33% — and the difference was even more pronounced when it included department stores like Costco and specialty stores like Whole Foods.

The findings come as worried shoppers find themselves spending more money at grocery stores. An August 2025 survey found that most US adults are at least somewhat stressed about grocery costs.

A woman checking an expensive grocery receipt at a supermarket, surprised by the high cost. — Consumers are increasingly concerned about rising grocery prices. stock – stock.adobe.com

According to data analysis of the Bureau of Labor Statistics by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, food prices increased by 25.5% between December 2020 and December 2024.

Milk, beef and pork are at near or high prices, and coffee alone is up 20% from last year.

The price of a carton of eggs hit a record high of $8.15 in March 2025 amid bird flu-induced shortages, with NYC bodegas even selling “free-style” eggs as a result.

In its new study, Consumer Reports compared the prices of grocery baskets of commonly purchased items — including packaged goods, produce and meat — at typical chain stores from more than a dozen supermarkets in six “regional” cities across the country, areas that include Boston, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Denver, Southern California and Virginia Beach.

However, products varied in size depending on store availability, meaning that comparisons were tighter for general retailers that carried a wider selection of similar product items.

Comparison baskets were smaller for private label and specialty stores, as they have few things in common with Walmart.

The entrance to a Walmart store in Riverdale, NJ, with cars parked out front. — Walmart was used as the basis for grocery prices. Christopher Sadowski

For example, the Chicago analysis had baskets with 56 items compared to Food4Less, Jewel-Osco, Marianos, Meijer, Target and Walmart; however, comparing Chicago Trader Joe’s and Walmart included a basket containing 23 items.

All prices were collected manually within 48 hours of late summer 2025.

Consumer Reports noted that most Americans shop for food at least two stores each week, and being strategic about where you shop can ultimately save you a lot of money. The nonprofit consumer guide partnered with Strategic Resource Group, a New York-based market research firm, on a new study.