Here’s an upgraded list with some of the cheapest stores in America!
Inflation definitely affects all the financial aspects of our daily lives, and this goes even more when it comes to food. With the looming threat of losing our favorite ice cream trucks, the price increase in eggs, and some fast-food chains raising their prices by 35%, even celebrities seem to be having a hard time.
The price shift is now more visible than ever, but luckily, not all stores were created equally. You can start minimizing your grocery bill by shopping at stores that have the lowest possible prices.
We’ve made a list of the top six low-cost grocery stores you can find in the United States, from specific chains that you might know already to international brands. Most of these stores have plenty of the things you might like but without the inflated price tag. So, let’s make the most out of these creepy financial times and focus on these American stores that promise to offer the best products at the cheapest price!
Aldi
If you haven’t shopped at Aldi yet, then you might be missing out on some of the cheapest groceries around. YouGov, a well-known market research and data analytics firm, stated that Aldi is seen as one of the most popular grocery stores in the country.
Not only will you find some of the best products out there, but the German-based company’s business model is made to minimize the cost to the consumer.
It seems that 90 percent of the products on their shelves are private-label brands. There are other things, too, like the 25-cent returnable deposit you can use for the shopping carts, bagging your own groceries, and not listening to license music on the overhead speakers that generally decrease the store’s overhead costs.
But these things just keep the prices low. Moreover, selecting produce out of the crates they came in rather than aesthetically placing them on the display is another reason why Aldi managed to keep the price small.
Lidl
The four-letter German company operates on the same low-cost model, but not quite like Aldi. Lidl has been successfully offering affordable groceries since the 1970s, and it is actively seeking to expand across the East Coast of the United States.
Even if there are fewer locations than Aldi, they are in firm competition for stocking the cheapest groceries. The selection of their items is carefully curated to keep the essentials in stock, instead of adding the expense of keeping every single variety and brand on the shelf.
You will find plenty of private-label brands that are very good, and if a certain product doesn’t meet the required standards, you can just get your money back and exchange the item for something else.
WinCo Foods
This box store has the full appeal of other members-only clubs like Costco and Sam’s Club but without the expensive membership fees. WinCo Foods boasts no less than 138 locations all over the West Coast and is completely employee-owned.
This means that their staff gets the best wages and benefits. And yet, the prices are still low, which is awesome. WinCo buys directly from farmers and manufacturers, and it still has a large number of bulk foods, which means its prices undercut plenty of other low-cost retailers.
Another efficient way to cut costs is by not taking credit cards for payments. However, you shouldn’t fear: they still allow payment with debit cards and federal food assistance cards.
Market Basket
For some reason, Market Basket is a much smaller chain on the list, but their savings still make it one of the most affordable places to shop in the United States.
A more recent study showed that the New England-based chain managed to become the top grocery retailer during inflationary times. For more than 100 years, Market Basket kept the fierce loyalty of their customers for high-quality food at low prices.
You can easily find anything from international cheeses to freshly squeezed juices to even handmade sushi without racking up a huge grocery bill.
Trader Joe’s
When it comes to the cheapest grocery stores in America, Trader Joe’s is probably our favorite go-to for affordable things. They have some of the best frozen food you can find, as well as tons of unique snacks.
Besides the adorably kitschy decor and friendly staff, it is also one of the best grocery stores you can pick when you have to stick to your budget.
Even during the current egg price hike, the cartons at Trader Joe’s are still quite inexpensive. As some items could become more expensive than the standard grocery stores (mainly because you are feeding a large family), private-label goods still deliver tons of quality without sacrificing affordability. So if you’re looking for some shopping inspiration, you need to check out their items!
Food4Less
When you’re looking for low-cost, high-quality groceries, then you need to check out this list of the cheapest grocery stores in America. From our perspective, Food4Less is an obvious and great choice, just as the name implies.
It is owned by Kroger, and it’s a respected no-frills grocery chain that decided to sacrifice a couple of amenities to help you save more money. First, it’s worth mentioning that shopping here automatically implies that you bag your own groceries while using the steep discounts offered in their weekly ads.
However, I’m sure you can easily get accustomed to it and find what you need. At the end of the day, the whole idea is to pay less and save more, right?
Moreover, unlike some of the other affordable grocery stores, Food4Less also has at-home delivery, its own pharmacy, and a wide variety of household essentials.
However, there’s a catch: even if they have 101 locations, you will only find them in California, Illinois, and Indiana. What grocery stores in your area have the lowest prices?
Woodman’s Markets
Back in 1921, John Woodman decided to open the first Woodman’s grocery store in Wisconsin. His family passed down the ownership of the store to several other generations and also opened many other locations before selling most of the company to employees in 1998.
Nowadays, Woodman’s Markets is completely employee-owned, with 19 stores all over Wisconsin and Illinois. It is one of the cheapest grocery stores in America, and it still strives to provide the best prices for the best service out there.
Costco
Last but not least, the superstar of the cheapest grocery stores in America, our all-time favorite, Costco. The well-known membership warehouse club had a shy start back in 1976 as Price Mart in San Diego.
However, slowly but surely, it grew bigger and bigger, and now it operates in eight countries and is one of the biggest retailers in the world. The company has one mission: to bring customers brand-name merchandise at the best possible prices.
You will find the best type of wholesale products, but it’s only worth it if you’re willing to buy grocery items in bulk.
If you’re looking for a proper weekly planner for your grocery lists, here’s what I recommend.
If you enjoyed reading this piece, then you also need to try: Which Type of Frugal Are You? Find Out Here!
46 Responses
Hands down Market Basket we live in NH and FL (supermarket wasteland hence the high prices)
Market Basket even treats their employees right
Wish the would open in FL
Thank you so much for this list it’s great
My wife and I love shopping at ALDI. We do not have the other stores in Terre Haute IN. Chuck and Karen
I agree with your comments about Costco, me and my husband shop there all the time. I love their Deli.
Still waiting for Lidl to open in essex county nj. I do shop at Costco, Trader Joe’s and Aldi. Great food and pricesBill
I THINK ALDIIS THE CHEAPEST. I ALSO THINK TRADER JOES IS OWNED BY ALDI. ALMOST ALL ALDI PRIVATELABEL IS EXCELENT QUALITY. I LIVE IN NY STATE. WE HAVE TWO ALDIS IN OUR AREA.
No Trader Joe’s in Kansas City. Could use one. Use Trader Joe’s in Edwardsville. Ks
We don’t have a store in this small town. If you don’t have a car you are up a creek dollar store carries some things.
There’s one at 86th and Ward Parkway
8600 Ward Pkwy, Kansas City, MO 64114
There is also one in Leawood
There’s a Trader Joe’s in Overland Park and one in KCMO
Ward Parkway center has had a Trader Joe for at least 20 years..88th/Stateline/Ward Parkway
Post WWII, ALDI expanded into one of the largest European grocery chains under the direction of the original owner’s two sons. But back in the 1960s, the brothers argued over whether to sell cigarettes in their stores — and eventually ended up splitting into two independent companies operating within separate geographical areas.
I love ALDI, and for shopping in quantity, Costco. I have proven that I can save up to half over other local stores.
I used to be a member of Costco. I had far to many issues with my task trained Service Animal at the Costco I shopped at. I did have other issues, but the main one involved my task trained Service Dog
I love Aldi!! I think that it’s the best place to buy if you don’t have any other options!!!!
We only have them Foodlion,and Walmart.
Aldi’s is the cheapest!
I’ve heard of Trader Joe’s. I love Aldis. Live in a small town so don’t see a lot of there. Eva
Aldi not only has good prices, it isn’t huge to walk and there are unusual foods to try and you just may find one of your new favorite dishes.
trader joes is not cheap. but frozen section is great.
also costco is not cheap neither, you pay good price for premium product.
Your right about that.
I like this site. So far. I’ve found that you can gain some helpful information.
I don’t like to be bombarded by a host of unwanted emails, which comes from many companies selling our emails to other companies, which I think this one does as well.
I think that I unsubsidized by mistake trying to cut down on a lot of junk being sent to my emails, but this one is useful.
Great article . We could use more of these on appliances etc., also furniture, mattresses…etc,. Thank you this really helps those of us who
live on a fixed income!!
Lidi & Aldi is my favorite.
I find that Aldi’s carries a lot of food from other countries, many that do not have the same standards as in the USA.
Yeah, but other countries don’t allow their crops to be sprayed like we do here in the United States with chemicals and pesticides
Food4less is also in las vegas nv. I know this because I used to shop there.
Market Basket and Trader’s Joe’s in our area of the East, are high in their prices. Don’t shop there at all, we Love Aldi’s
I like Aldi and Traders Joes
I read both stores are owned by the same company.
Trader Joe’s . I Aldi’s but I never remember to bring bags with me. I like Woodman’s but it is further away so I only go every few months and mostly for house hold supplies.
Aldi’s is the best in my area of greater Tampa. Trader Joe’s is here, but too far to drive for me.
We have a Trader Joe’s in Austin tx and the most expensive store I’ve ever walked through and believe me I didn’t buy a thing and Costco is also a little like that and no mention about Sam’s where I do a lot of shopping
Sheila says, Discovered Aldi’s years ago in St. Petersburg, Fl area and even bought a laptop from them. When help was needed in operating it, I was connected to a lovely voice from England. Also purchase many food items at Aldi’s.
Aldi first Trader Joe’s second Costco third . I shop all three in a row on the same stretch of road on a weekly basis. Only rarely do I use a local grocery store. I am a VERY conservative shopper and quite health conscious as well.
Aldi has the best chocolate!!! The label says it’s from Germany – it’s so good!!!!
My favorite places to shop for groceries, in order, are Food4Less, Winco, and Costco. Costco would be 1st if I could get what I want in smaller quantities.
The Market Basket stores in the Haverhill Massachusetts area and surrounding areas have RAISED their PRICES so much that this retailer that once had okay to pretty good prices is now much to expensive !!!
Aldi’s Market is a better priced retailer on most products, but not all,and you have to know your pricing for what you are getting so to speak.
I shop Aldi’s all the time, as there are three of them in my area, two that I am a frequent shopper at. The third one only just opened.
As for Trader Joe’s, I need to recheck them out, as I always assumed that they were more expensive than they probably are.
Aldi’s is my “go to” store, for sure.
I do like COSTCO but our closest store is over an hour away and our Trader Joe’s is 3 hours away.
Thank goodness ALDI’s came through for us….and they are doing very well here in Northern Michigan!
Trader Joe’s is not cheap and the one in my area requires that you pay for parking.
Hello, I am true blue to Market Basket I’ve shopped around but I always come back. Right down to the cleanliness of the store and the wonderful employees! I would recommend Market Basket 7 days a week! Keep up the good work and the low price is Market Basket God bless. Sincerely Karen McCann
Aldi. You are able to get most of what you are looking for and they often carry hard to fine products in reasonable quantities.
None of these stores are near me
I agree they are expensive on most items.
Ward Parkway center has had a Trader Joe for at least 20 years..88th/Stateline/Ward Parkway
Aldi and Food 4 Less are closest to us in Missouri. Costco over hour away.