CVS vs. Walgreens vs. Walmart Pharmacy: We Compared Prescription Prices
Finding the least expensive prescription drugs isn’t as simple as comparing pharmacies A, B and C. There are numerous factors to consider, including brand vs. generic, whether you have insurance, whether you can use a discount card, how long of a refill you’re looking for and the dosage you need. Plus, prices vary widely in general depending on where you are and when you’re buying.
Comparison shopping and using sites like Pharmacy Price Finder or SingleCare can help. With drug prices continuing to tick upward in recent months and straining many American budgets, it may be worth the extra step of researching prices.
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MoneyLion has done some of the homework for you with a comparison of prices at three of America's largest retail pharmacy chains: CVS, Walgreens and Walmart. The numbers below are based on recent data from Pharmacy Price Finder for a generic, 30-day supply of a common dosage. The prescription drugs listed below are 10 of the most commonly prescribed.
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Walmart uses many high‑volume generic prescriptions as loss leaders, meaning they are willing to sell them at or below cost to attract more customers overall. This means Walmart often offers lower prices than CVS or Walgreens. But discount cards, favorable insurance plans and other factors sometimes close the gap.
1. Levothyroxine
Treats hypothyroidism and is consistently the most prescribed drug in the U.S.
CVS, cash without insurance: $38.98
CVS, with discount card: $20.38
CVS, with insurance: $18.00
Walgreens, cash without insurance: $78.02
Walgreens, with discount card: $55.44
Walgreens, with insurance: $14.00
Walmart, cash without insurance: $10.58
Walmart, with discount card: $6.18
Walmart, with insurance: $10.00
2. Atorvastatin
A statin used to lower cholesterol and reduce cardiovascular risk
CVS, cash without insurance: $54.02
CVS, with discount card: $32.48
CVS, with insurance: $15.00
Walgreens, cash without insurance: $72.32
Walgreens, with discount card: $48.02
Walgreens, with insurance: $15.00
Walmart, cash without insurance: $8.02
Walmart, with discount card: $3.84
Walmart, with insurance: $23.00
3. Lisinopril
An ACE inhibitor used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure
CVS, cash without insurance: $58.20
CVS, with discount card: $37.10
CVS, with insurance: $21.00
Walgreens, cash without insurance: $68.66
Walgreens, with discount card: $45.22
Walgreens, with insurance: $13.00
Walmart, cash without insurance: $12.20
Walmart, with discount card: $7.40
Walmart, with insurance: $17.00
4. Metformin
A first‑line medication for Type 2 diabetes
CVS, cash without insurance: $21.69
CVS, with discount card: $9.09
CVS, with insurance: $13.00
Walgreens, cash without insurance: $36.59
Walgreens, with discount card: $17.73
Walgreens, with insurance: $13.00
Walmart, cash without insurance: $15.17
Walmart, with discount card: $10.95
Walmart, with insurance: $5.00
5. Amlodipine
A calcium‑channel blocker for hypertension
CVS, cash without insurance: $34.66
CVS, with discount card: $17.32
CVS, with insurance: $6.00
Walgreens, cash without insurance: $26.72
Walgreens, with discount card: $26.72
Walgreens, with insurance: $14.00
Walmart, cash without insurance: $6.04
Walmart, with discount card: $2.88
Walmart, with insurance: $14.00
6. Metoprolol
A beta blocker used for hypertension, arrhythmias and heart disease
CVS, cash without insurance: $52.63
CVS, with discount card: $31.76
CVS, with insurance: $5.00
Walgreens, cash without insurance: $59.71
Walgreens, with discount card: $36.12
Walgreens, with insurance: $5.00
Walmart, cash without insurance: $6.79
Walmart, with discount card: $3.28
Walmart, with insurance: $9.00
7. Omeprazole
A proton‑pump inhibitor for GERD and acid reflux
CVS, cash without insurance: $41.99
CVS, with discount card: $22.37
CVS, with insurance: $15.00
Walgreens, cash without insurance: $37.01
Walgreens, with discount card: $17.45
Walgreens, with insurance: $15.00
Walmart, cash without insurance: $7.59
Walmart, with discount card: $3.61
Walmart, with insurance: $23.00
8. Losartan
An ARB for high blood pressure
CVS, cash without insurance: $66.28
CVS, with discount card: $45.78
CVS, with insurance: $21.00
Walgreens, cash without insurance: $36.06
Walgreens, with discount card: $17.46
Walgreens, with insurance: $9.00
Walmart, cash without insurance: $4.98
Walmart, with discount card: $2.18
Walmart, with insurance: $9.00
9. Gabapentin
Used for nerve pain and seizure disorders
CVS, cash without insurance: $55.78
CVS, with discount card: $34.07
CVS, with insurance: $13.00
Walgreens, cash without insurance: $47.12
Walgreens, with discount card: $25.31
Walgreens, with insurance: $17.00
Walmart, cash without insurance: $9.88
Walmart, with discount card: $5.61
Walmart, with insurance: $13.00
10. Hydrochlorothiazide
A diuretic commonly used as a first‑line treatment for hypertension
CVS, cash without insurance: $67.30
CVS, with discount card: $46.69
CVS, with insurance: $13.00
Walgreens, cash without insurance: $75.12
Walgreens, with discount card: $52.01
Walgreens, with insurance: $17.00
Walmart, cash without insurance: $17.02
Walmart, with discount card: $12.21
Walmart, with insurance: $5.00
Don’t forget to check other pharmacies as well. Pharmacy Finder also offers comparisons for Amazon Pharmacy, Costco, Cost Plus, Kroger and Rite Aid.
Editor’s note: Prices and availability may vary depending on location, and are subject to change.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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