Is Aldi Still One of the Cheapest Grocery Stores, Or Have Prices Risen Too High?

It’s no secret — nor is it a surprise — that ever since 2020, grocery prices have been steadily climbing higher. In fact, a recent NBC News price analysis that looked at individual grocery items found that staples like orange juice and ground beef have risen 20 percent and 18 percent respectively. And even your basic sandwich bread is getting more expensive, even if it’s by a smaller amount (approximately 2 percent).

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Even before groceries started climbing sky-high in price, Aldi was considered one of the cheapest places to shop. But in recent months, Aldi regulars have noticed prices are getting higher here, too. So, is Aldi still one of the best places to head for the lowest prices? We’re breaking it down.

Prices Have Increased at Aldi Just Like Any Other Grocery Store

Eagle-eyed Aldi shoppers — or anyone on a budget, frankly — have likely noticed their grocery bills are higher than they were at the start of the year. That’s because, as Reddit users broke down in a thread, Aldi has seen price increases just like other grocers such as Kroger, Vons, and Walmart.

The price increases at Aldi have generally matched the rising prices across grocery stores. Reddit users called out items like bagged salad mixes, which started out at $0.89 per bag and are now nearing $2. Similarly, canned goods like vegetables and beans were previously under $1 and are now anywhere from $1.20 to $1.50 (or more, depending on your region).

In fact, I personally recall picking up dried pasta and sauces for under a buck at Aldi in the not-too-distant past. Now, you’ll find items like these, frozen produce, and canned goods for around $1.20 to $1.50.

So yes, Aldi grocery shopping is no longer as cheap as it once was.

Aldi-Brand Products Still Offer a Better Value Than Others

If you’re frustrated by your higher Aldi totals, it’s important to keep in mind that while you’re seeing your expenses increase, the best way to determine whether Aldi offers the best value — or even the lowest prices — is to comparison shop.

When you compare Aldi’s products to other grocery stores, it’s clear that Aldi is still the best place to save money, even if it’s a matter of cents. 

First and foremost, you need to look at the pricing alone. In general, if you’re choosing private label products (not name brands) at both Aldi and another supermarket, Aldi typically has a lower price. It might be $0.10 to $0.50 cheaper, but I’ve found that Aldi is pretty much always the winner on price alone. In instances when it’s not, the prices are near identical.

Second, you should consider the size or quantity of the items you’re shopping and break them down into their per-ounce or per-serving price. It’s common for many grocery stores (Aldi included) to note the price per ounce right on the in-store price labels.

In general, Aldi tends to offer larger quantities than your average grocery store. Frozen fruits and vegetables, for example, will come in 16-ounce bags versus 12-ounce bags. Cereal boxed will offer anywhere from a couple of extra ounces all the way up to 10 more ounces. (And the packs of off-brand imitation “Oreos” are always bigger at Aldi… which I definitely don’t know because there are two containers in my pantry right now.)

When you take a closer look at how much you’re getting and what your price is per ounce, Aldi pretty much always wins. Even when items are identical, Aldi is the better value. Here are a few examples comparing Aldi prices to my local Vons:

• Mild Italian Sausage, 16 ounces: $3.55 or $0.22 per ounce at Aldi, $4.99 or $0.31 per ounce on sale at Vons.
• Boxed Pancake Mix, 32 ounces: $2.19 or $0.07 at Aldi, $4.99 or $0.16 per ounce on sale at Vons.
• Flour Tortillas, pack of 10: $1.35 or $0.08 per ounce at Aldi, $1.67 or $0.17 per ounce on sale at Vons.

As you can see, even when items are on sale at my local grocery store, they’re still more expensive than Aldi’s version. And frankly, there’s no way other grocery stores are beating Aldi when it comes to delivering the cheapest buys.