You are not alone if you feel your grocery bill has gone up lately. Saving money on groceries has become increasingly important due to rising inflation, especially with the cost of eggs, meat, and other grocery essentials continuing to increase. To combat these expenses, switching to affordable grocery stores can be a smart option. In this article, we present a list of stores that offer high-quality groceries at lower prices.
Next, we will answer the following questions:
- What are the cheapest stores to get groceries right now?
- Why are these grocery stores more affordable than others?
- What is the cheapest place to buy eggs?
- I don’t have these stores in my area. What other options are there to find free or low-cost food?
- What are the eligibility requirements for food banks?
- What items do food banks provide?
Where is the cheapest place to get groceries right now?
The second annual Retail Price Index (RPI) study completed by Dunnhumby found the following five stores to be the cheapest grocery stores in the United States:
ALDI has 2,277 retail stores throughout the United States. They offer a no-frills shopping experience, high-quality food, timely customer service, and everyday low prices. The best things to buy here are baking supplies, fresh produce, wine, chocolate, cheese, and canned goods—which can be as low as $0.65 per can.
Market Basket is a 100-year-old grocery chain with 88 stores throughout the following four states: Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, and Rhode Island.
WinCo has 136 locations throughout the West Coast. They keep costs low by cutting out distributors and intermediaries and buying many goods directly from farms and factories. The best things to buy here are their bulk and organic products.
Food 4 Less has 101 stores throughout the West Coast. They keep costs low by expecting consumers to bag their groceries.
Costco is a membership-only warehouse with 572 locations throughout the United States. This store is a great option for larger families since they sell their items in bulk.
Most of these grocery stores concentrate more on private-label brands, which allows them to offer high-quality food without the high costs of traditional brand names. If your goal is to save some money on groceries, you won’t go wrong with any of the grocery stores on this list.
What is the cheapest place to buy eggs?
High inflation rates in the United States and the persistent outbreak of Avian flu have caused the price of eggs to double in the last year. So, with eggs being so expensive and not likely to change for a while – we set out to find out where to buy the cheapest eggs. Keep in mind that these prices vary depending on the location, and even a matter of days can change the prices shown below.
- Dollar General: $2.50 per dozen
- Sam’s Club: $2.99 per dozen
- Costco: $3.25 per dozen
- Walmart: $3.53 per dozen
- Whole Foods: $3.69 per dozen
If you do not have these stores in your community or want alternatives to eggs, try looking for salmon, fish, beans, tofu, or lentils at your local grocery store. Dalia González, a nutritionist from San Francisco, recommends these high-protein foods as great alternatives to eggs.
I don’t have these stores in my area. What other options are there to find free or low-cost food?
If the grocery stores mentioned above are not in your area, then food banks may be a great option! Food banks or food pantries distribute free food to local community members. They provide pre-packed boxes or bags of shelf-stable foods, fresh produce, dairy, and sometimes frozen meats. The great thing about food banks is that, in most cases, there are no eligibility requirements. So even if you are not eligible for government benefits like SNAP or WIC, you can access this food assistance resource. Keep in mind that this varies by location. To find your local food bank, click here.
