I Brought the Same Grocery List to Aldi & Dollar General - Here's Who Was the Clear Winner

The cost of groceries rose by 2.7% between June of 2025 and June of 2026. Inflation has pushed shoppers, like myself, to the breaking point. And that means I do everything I can to avoid wasting money.

Aldi and Dollar General are two of my favorite discount stores. But only one has the best prices. This week I took my shopping list to both stores to compare prices. While I found more deals on high-quality generic dupes at Aldi, I also scored bargains galore on brand-name items at Dollar General.

Which chain offered the most savings? Keep reading to find out which one I crowned the winner.

Editor's note: Prices and availability are subject to change and may vary by location.

Baking basics

Winner: Aldi

Cakes, cookies, and pies don't just happen. And if you're a home baker (or a want-to-be pastry chef, like me), finding the best deals on basics is essential. That's why I skipped the specialty stores and brought my list of everyday essentials to both of these retailers.

Aldi's private-label Baker's Corner All-Purpose Flour costs $2.15 for a five-pound bag. Dollar General does sell Gold Medal's five-pound bag. But the brand name's price is significantly higher ($4). I also spotted the retailer's generic Clover Valley All-Purpose Flour for $2.85, making Aldi the winner.

Snacks

Winner: Aldi

Even though snacks are an extra expense, I like to pick up a few little indulgences every time I shop. Aldi sells a 10-ounce bag of Clancy's Original Potato Chips for $1.99. Dollar General's Clover Valley store brand costs $3 for 13 ounces. In a price-per-ounce comparison, Aldi beats the dollar store.

I also shopped for a few snacky sweet treats at both stores. An indulgently rich Choceur Dark Chocolate Bar (5.29-ounce size) costs $1.99 at Aldi. The other retailer sells a smaller 3.5-ounce DG Literacy Dark Chocolate Bar for $1.75. Even though the overall cost is lower, you get more for your money at Aldi.

Frozen foods

Winner: Aldi

Aldi is known for the store's standout selection of seasonal frozen meals and discount dupes. The same just isn't true of Dollar General. That said, I still wanted to compare the prices of frozen foods at both retailers.

I chose a common category that each chain should have in stock: Frozen pizza. Aldi had a wide selection, ranging from plain cheese to gourmet chicken ranch bacon flatbread. For this value check, I picked up pepperoni pies. A 14.3-ounce Mama Cozzi's Original Thin Pepperoni Pizza costs $3.29 at Aldi, while Dollar General charges $3.50 for Clover Valley's 15.2-ounce version. In a price-per-quantity showdown, it's a tie.

Frozen broccoli was also on my list. Aldi's Season's Choice Steamable Florets (12 ounces) costs $1.29. Dollar General charges $1.50 for 10.8 ounces from Birds Eye.

Desserts

Winner: Aldi

Keebler's Peanut Butter Filled Fudge cookies are one of my favorites. To cut costs, I looked for generic dupes at Aldi and Dollar General.

Aldi's Benton's brand (9.5 ounces) was a bargain at $2.49. But Dollar General's smaller seven-ounce size of Clover Valley Fudge Covered Peanut Butter Filled Cookies set me back more ($2.50).

Dairy items

Winner: Aldi

Aldi sells a single six-ounce cup of Friendly Farms fruit-flavored low-fat yogurt for $0.59. How did Dollar General compare? I wasn't able to find a generic equivalent, leaving me with a $0.95 Yoplait brand-name option.

Along with yogurt, I also checked the price of cheese. An eight-ounce block of mild cheddar from Happy Farms sells for $1.95 at Aldi. Dollar General charges $2.50 for an almost identical item from Clover Valley.

Coffee

Winner: Dollar General

While both stores had better prices than what I would have paid at Starbucks, only one had the best deal on coffee. Aldi's 12-pod pack of Barissimo Decaf Donut Store Blend is a steal for $5.05. But Dollar General's Clover Valley generic beats that price by $0.10.

Bottled beverages

Winner: Aldi

Soda, seltzer, and flat water are bargains I buy regularly at both stores. A 33.8-ounce bottle of flavored Pur Aqua Sparkling Water cost me $0.89 at Aldi. Dollar General has the same size product from Clover Valley. But at $1.10, it was more expensive.

Instead of splurging on Coke or Pepsi, I reviewed prices on generic cola. A two-liter bottle costs $1.09 at Aldi and $1.50 at Dollar General.

Packaged meals

Winner: Aldi

Need a meal in minutes? A 7.25-ounce box of Cheese Club Mac and Cheese sells for $0.65 at Aldi. Dollar General charges $0.85 for a comparable product from its Clover Valley line.

Dollar General doesn't offer the fresh deli ready-to-heat-and-eat options that I usually snap up from Aldi. But the dollar store does sell a 10.25-ounce box of frozen El Monterey Signature Chicken Enchiladas ($4.95). I found a 20-ounce box of Casa Mamita Chicken and Cheese Taquitos at Aldi for $5.39. It may cost more, but the quantity is almost double.

Canned fruits and vegetables

Winner: Tie

When fresh just isn't financially feasible, a 15.25-ounce can of Happy Harvest Canned Whole Kernel Sweet Corn is only $0.89. The same size item costs less ($0.85) at Dollar General.

Veggies were cheaper at Dollar General, but canned fruit cocktail was more expensive at the dollar store ($2.25 for Clover Valley versus $1.75 for Sweet Harvest).

Bottom line

There you have it. Aldi won the grocery wars this week.

Even though Aldi took the top spot as the most economical option, both chains make it easy to save money on groceries. Before you choose one store over another, compare the prices of your usual cart or basket. The deals and discounts vary by week, making it important to scan circulars and check each store's website often.

You May Also Like

11 Weird Little Hacks Costco Shoppers Should Know

By FinanceBuzz Editors

10 Things Seniors Born Between 1941-1969 Could Take Advantage Of

By FinanceBuzz Editors

How To Save Money on Car Insurance: 12 Ways to Lower Rates

By Elyssa Kirkham

19 Dumbest Things Smart People Waste Money On

By Team FBZ

---

Subscribe Today

Learn how to make an extra $200

Get vetted side hustles and proven ways to earn extra cash sent to your inbox.

or

Subscribe Now →

By submitting this form you agree to receive emails from FinanceBuzz and to the privacy policy and terms