Groceries cost more than they used to. That is not news to anyone standing in a checkout line these days. But there is one store where the prices are consistently lower, and it is worth knowing exactly which items to grab there.
According to Aldi’s own 2025 Price Leadership Report, shoppers can save up to 36 percent on their average grocery list at Aldi compared to other stores. For a family of four, that works out to about $4,000 a year. The report also shows savings of more than 25 percent on fresh fruit, 20 percent on dairy, and nearly 15 percent on eggs.
One writer who has shopped at Aldi for more than 15 years compared prices on her most-used kitchen staples at Aldi versus other grocery chains. Here is what she found is genuinely worth the trip, and a few things that are not.
The 6 Items That Are Noticeably Cheaper at Aldi
Simply Nature Organic Pasta Sauce. Organic pasta sauce at Aldi runs about 10 cents per ounce. At other grocery stores, the same type of product typically costs 15 cents per ounce or more. It is a small gap per jar, but it adds up over time.
Kirkwood Breaded Chicken Breast Filets. Known among Aldi fans as the “red bag chicken,” these breaded filets cook up crispy and work well in sandwiches or on salads. Aldi prices them at about 34 cents per ounce, while similar frozen breaded chicken at other chains runs 50 cents per ounce or more.
Grapefruit Belle Vie Sparkling Flavored Water. If you enjoy sparkling water, this one is worth noting. Aldi’s Belle Vie sparkling water costs about 37 cents per can. A comparable product like La Croix at major grocery chains typically runs 50 cents per can or more.
Simply Nature Organic Whole Milk. Organic whole milk at Aldi costs about 7 cents per ounce. Name-brand organic milk at other grocery stores can run closer to 15 cents per ounce. If your household goes through milk regularly, that difference adds up fast.
Mission Mini Avocados. Aldi sells a six-count bag of mini avocados for about 50 cents each. At other grocery stores, avocados typically cost 75 cents or more apiece. The smaller size is a nice bonus, just enough for one serving, with nothing left to store.
Elevation Maxx Protein Bars. Aldi’s Elevation brand protein bars cost about $1 each. Similar name-brand bars, like Clif Bar, run around $1.50 at other stores. When you are buying a week’s worth at a time, that 50-cent difference per bar starts to matter.
Three Items That Are About the Same Price Anywhere
Not everything at Aldi is a bargain compared to the competition. A few items come in at roughly the same price you would pay elsewhere.
- Priano Extra Virgin Olive Oil — Aldi’s olive oil costs about 40 cents per ounce, which is the same as store-brand olive oil at chains like Walmart and Publix.
- Little Salad Bar Sweet Kale Chopped Salad Kit — A convenient weeknight option, but priced about the same as bagged salad kits at other grocery stores.
- Freshire Farms Sugar Snap Peas — Fresh, convenient, and good quality, but not priced any lower than similar packaged produce at other chains.
These are perfectly fine products. They are just not a reason to make a special trip to Aldi.
The Smart Way to Shop at Aldi
The strategy that works well is simple. Make your full grocery list for the week. Head to Aldi first and pick up everything they carry. Then stop at a second store (Walmart, Publix, Target, or wherever you prefer) to fill in the rest.
Aldi keeps its prices low by selling mostly its own private-label brands and keeping store operations simple. You bag your own groceries and put a 25-cent deposit on your cart, which you get back when you return it. It is a different experience from most stores, but once you get used to it, the savings are real.
At worst, you will pay the same as you would somewhere else. At best, you will spend noticeably less on things like pasta sauce, milk, chicken, and sparkling water, week after week.