What $100 in Groceries at Costco Will Cost You at Aldi
Not to sit on fences, but Costco is great, however, Aldi is also great. But that doesn’t always mean they are the same kind of great when shopping for the essentials on your grocery list. You’re probably thinking, wait, isn’t it always cheaper to buy in bulk at Costco?
It sure can be, but the real answer is not always, especially when you compare it to discount grocers and retailers like Aldi. In fact, Aldi beats Costco on per-unit price for many common grocery staples, and that's before accounting for Costco's $65 annual membership fee, which adds about $5.40 per month to your real grocery cost.
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Also, Aldi prices produce at upwards of a 40% discount versus competitors by limiting selection to about 120 products, cutting excess labor and sourcing seasonally. The result is often cleaner pricing on fresh staples with fewer frills.
So you don’t have to deal with decision paralysis, MoneyLion has compared 10 common pantry staples and common grocery items, calculated comparable cost per unit (not just sticker price) and found that the same $100 grocery basket at Costco costs approximately $72 at Aldi — a savings of nearly $28. Here's how it breaks down.
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Chicken Breast
Costco price: Kirkland Signature Fresh Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts are $26.63 ($3.17 per pound)
Aldi price: Kirkwood Family Pack Chicken Breasts are $10.95 ($2.19 per pound)
Because you’ll get varying sizes and weights of packaging, it’s always a good idea to check the price per unit. Often a staple in most households, chicken is a great protein to feed your family and it may surprise you to find it a bit cheaper at Aldi. Whether you eat it in wraps, on top of rice or alone, it's a great staple to have in your home.
Grass-Fed Ground Beef
Costco price: Miami Beef Grass-Fed Ground Beef for $29.27 ($7.32 per pound)
Aldi price: Lean Ground Beef for $7.29 ($7.29 per pound)
You'll likely go through a lot of ground beef this summer if you have a family, given all the backyard barbecues and lazy summer dinners you have planned. It’s a tight foot race for both quality and price between Costco and Aldi for this one, but Aldi just wins by being a few cents cheaper.
Jasmine Rice
Costco price: Kirkland Signature Thai Hom Mali Jasmine Rice for $26.09 ($1.04 per pound)
Aldi price: Earthly Grains Jasmine Rice for $6.85 ($1.37 per pound)
If you need 25 pounds of rice for something, Costco is definitely your next stop. It edges out Aldi in this round by over 30 cents a pound. However, the 5-pound bag at Aldi is still well priced, and requires less storage space and up-front cash.
Peanut Butter
Costco price: Kirkland Signature Organic Peanut Butter for $11.11 (40 cents per ounce)
Aldi price: Peanut Delight Creamy Peanut Butter for $2.19 (12 cents per ounce)
Nothing hits harder than a peanut butter and jelly sandwich (maybe a side of chips) after a day at the pool. This is why stocking up on the heart-healthy spread is a great idea. Both Costco and Aldi offer a pretty good deal, but Aldi is cheaper.
Organic Bananas
Costco price: Organic Bananas are $2.49 for a 3-pound bunch (83 cents per 1 pound)
Aldi price: Organic Bananas are 69 cents for a 1-pound bunch
Bananas have the distinction of being a great meal or snack on the go as well as being a nutrient-dense whole food. Given their shelf life, you can see the appeal of getting your money’s worth at Aldi.
Final Take: Costco vs. Aldi
To be fair, Costco isn't losing everywhere. However, when it comes to buying in bulk or shopping around, you may want to steer your cart toward Aldi for a few grocery runs. In this economy, $100 doesn’t get you as far as it used to, and with just five items at Costco, you’ve spent $95.59 before tax. For the same items at Aldi (with the caveat of smaller quantities), you’ve only spent $29.01.
Editor’s note: Pricing and availability may vary depending on location.
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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