According to the latest USDA data, U.S. households spent between 8.1% and 32.6% of their after-tax income on food in 2023. Food-at-home costs also rose 1.2% from 2023 to 2024, so you’re likely spending more money than you used to at the grocery store.
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You might be wondering where you can shop to save the most money on groceries, especially amid inflation, tariffs and economic uncertainty. GOBankingRates asked ChatGPT, which compiled data from across the web, to find out. Here’s what it said and whether or not experts agree.
Also see the most you should be spending on groceries.
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The Overall Winner: Aldi
GOBankingRates gave ChatGPT the following prompt: “Which retailer can save me the most money on groceries?” The response was Aldi.
According to Aldi’s 2025 Price Leadership Report, a family of four can save nearly $4,000 every year by shopping at Aldi. That’s huge savings for anyone strapped for cash.
ChatGPT provided a price comparison of Aldi vs. other key grocery stores in the Twin Cities area. If you were to spend $65.60 at Aldi, you’d need to spend roughly $66.40 at Walmart and $113 at Whole Foods to get the same items.
This is a snapshot of prices in February to March 2025, but as you can see, Aldi is the clear winner — even coming in slightly above Walmart. To get the lowest possible prices, you’ll need to shop Aldi-exclusive brands.
For example, a 13-ounce container of Aldi’s hazelnut spread costs $3.15. A same size jar of Nutella costs $4.65 at Dollar General. A 64-ounce bag of frozen chicken wings at Aldi costs $13.19. A similar item costs $16.98 at Sam’s Club.
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Shop at Multiple Grocers
Aldi has a lot to offer, but there are a few limitations. You can’t find certain brands on the shelves, and the selection varies based on where you live. You might also find lower prices by shopping at two or three discount grocery stores.
“Mix and match retailers,” ChatGPT said. “Base your shopping at a low-cost discounter (Aldi, Walmart, Lidl), then use other stores for deals or specialty items.”
Besides Aldi, ChatGPT’s top recommendations for grocery shopping are Lidl, Walmart, Dollar General, Dollar Tree, WinCo Foods, Grocery Outlet, Save A Lot, Food4Less and Market Basket. Check what’s located conveniently to you and consider hitting a couple of stores when you shop.
But watch out for distance. The average national cost of regular gas is $3.162. If you have to drive 30 minutes to the nearest Lidl after shopping at Aldi, you might lose any savings.
What the Experts Say
So do the experts agree with ChatGPT’s assessment of the cheapest retailers to shop for groceries at? The answer is mostly yes.
“While Walmart and Aldi can offer consistent value on staples, it’s not just about where you shop, but how you shop … Shoppers should also focus on unit pricing, digital coupons, loyalty apps and bulk buys when possible,” said Dasha Kennedy, financial activist and founder of The Broke Black Girl.
Certain retailers — like Target or Amazon Fresh — might seem more expensive, but you could save more by opting in to loyalty or subscription programs like Amazon Prime. You can also save by paying attention to rotating deals available only in the retailer’s app.
“For weekly groceries, Aldi is your best bet if you’re on a tight budget,” said Laurie Hise, founder at Passionate Penny Pincher. “Regular stores are great if you’re a whiz at finding sales (think BOGOs!) and clipping coupons. Club stores can definitely save you money when you buy in bulk, but watch out for those impulse purchases.”
Plan your meals, buy generic or store-brand items, shop with a list, and watch your budget whenever you shop to make sure you don’t overspend.
Editor’s note: Pricing and availability may vary depending on location.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: I Asked ChatGPT Which Retailer Can Save Me the Most Money on Groceries: Here’s What It Said
