Do you know which store will save you more money? Print a FREE price comparison between Costco and Aldi– includes over 75 items from all over both stores! 

A couple of years ago I put together a price comparison between Costco and Aldi because I was trying to decide if I should switch more of my shopping to the uber-popular Aldi. At the time, I wasn’t a regular Aldi shopper, and much preferred to get our groceries elsewhere. But, if I could be saving a considerable amount of money by shopping there, then I wanted to know.

The results of the price comparison were surprising. I recorded the prices for 75 items from all over the store. I focused on foods that we regularly buy– pantry items, produce, refrigerated and frozen foods, and a handful of household goods too.

Since that time, I have begun to shop more frequently at Aldi. While I still do a bulk of our shopping at Costco, there are certain items that I always get from Aldi now. (Be on the lookout for my favorite items to get from each store!)

What I have been wondering, though, is how the price comparison has changed in two years. So I decided it was time to update the price list, see how they compared today, and expand the list a bit. 

Which store do you think came out on top with the lowest prices? Do you have a favorite?

Keep reading for the results, and for a FREE PRINTABLE PRICE COMPARISON. I have found using the price list to be very helpful when filling out my grocery budget and planning shopping trips. (Hint: you can use just half of the list if you do not shop at either Costco or Aldi!).

Costco and Aldi Price Comparison

A few notes before we dive in to the results…

• I tried to compare “apples to apples” as much as possible. Organic to organic. Store brand to store brand. In a few cases, Costco had an organic option when Aldi did not, but one thing I noted as I updated the list is that Aldi is now carrying many more organic items.
• The prices are compared as cost per ounce, or cost per unit. The quantity is typically larger at Costco, but the comparisons reflect the prices not the amounts.
• If you want to see how the prices have changed in two years, you can print out the first comparison and check the changes in each of the items.
• I live in North Carolina, and grocery prices can fluctuate across the country. Even so, this list should give you a good idea of how the stores compare, even if your prices are slightly different.

Download and print the PDF price comparison.

Overall conclusions…

• Costco is the overall “winner”, having the lower prices on the most items, however the margin is small. Costco has lower prices on 38 items, Aldi has lower prices on 30 items, and the stores were the same on 18 items.
• Costco is the clear winner for pantry/dry good items. Aldi came out above for most produce. The differences between some of the produce items are almost negligible, while others are closer to 50¢ less per pound. Check for the items you regularly purchase and decide accordingly.
• The obvious difference in the two stores is that Costco is a membership warehouse, and you must pay a membership fee to shop there. However, if you family size is more than two or three, purchasing the membership and buying in larger quantities might make more sense for your family. We buy the executive membership each year and always earn back at least enough to cover the cost of the membership.
• Aldi is increasing its availability of organic options, but in general, Costco still has a greater variety of organic items, especially in its freezer and produce sections. If that is important to you, then Costco may be the best choice for you.
• Whichever store you chose, or have available to you, the fact is that both Costco and Aldi offer relatively similar low prices. Shopping at either store will save you money! 

Are you surprised by the results? What is your favorite store at which to shop? 

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