Which grocery store has the best prices on eggs, milk, and butter?
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Dairy prices continue to shift from week to week, and for many shoppers, the cost of everyday staples like eggs, milk, and butter can feel unpredictable.
Between inflation, supply chain issues, and even bird flu outbreaks, grocery bills have become harder to forecast.
As a result, more consumers are paying closer attention to where they shop—and how much they’re really spending on basics.
To help identify the best options for essential dairy items, a recent price comparison was conducted across six major grocery chains in and around Charlotte, North Carolina: ALDI, Lidl, Walmart, Trader Joe’s, Target, and Publix.
The focus was on five popular staples: eggs, milk, butter, cottage cheese, and Greek yogurt.
While some results followed expectations, others revealed surprising winners and unexpected price gaps.
Every store carried eggs, offering both conventional and cage-free varieties.
ALDI offered the best deal with Goldhen Large Cage-Free Eggs priced at just $3.85 per dozen.
Trader Joe’s came in slightly higher at $3.99, while Publix charged $7.99 for its Greenwise eggs—more than double the ALDI price.
Egg Price Breakdown:
Whole milk prices varied widely. ALDI once again came out ahead with its Friendly Farms Whole Milk priced at just $1.52 per half gallon.
Lidl and Walmart followed closely, but Publix more than doubled that cost at $4.40.
Milk Price Breakdown:
Butter prices ranged from under $3 to more than $6 per pound.
Lidl’s Salted Sweet Cream Butter was the lowest at $2.49, beating ALDI’s second-place $3.49 by a full dollar.
Trader Joe’s had the highest price at $6.29 for a pound of organic salted butter.
Butter Price Breakdown:
For shoppers adding cottage cheese to their diet, ALDI again offered the best value: 24 ounces for $2.79.
Though Walmart’s package had a lower sticker price, it offered less volume and a higher per-ounce cost.
Cottage Cheese Price Breakdown:
Greek yogurt prices were relatively close across all six stores, but Lidl stood out for its 32-ounce container at just 11 cents per ounce. ALDI followed closely at $3.75 for the same size.
Greek Yogurt Price Breakdown:
For those seeking organic products, Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods remain popular choices, though prices are notably higher.
For budget-conscious shoppers, ALDI and Lidl offered the best overall deals. ALDI in particular stood out for low prices on milk, eggs, and cottage cheese, while Lidl led in value for butter and Greek yogurt.
Publix was the most expensive store across the board—sometimes exceeding even Whole Foods on comparable products.
For those hoping to reduce grocery costs, shifting to a new go-to store may be worth the effort.
Smart grocery shopping doesn't always mean sticking to just one store.
As this price comparison shows, mixing and matching between ALDI, Lidl, and other retailers can help you get the best deals on essential dairy items.
Whether you're buying in bulk, watching unit prices, or simply staying aware of weekly sales, a little planning can go a long way.
And for older adults on a fixed income, those small savings can really add up over time.
Read next: Slash your grocery bill with this simple trick—learn how and save money!
Have you found better prices in your area? Which store is your go-to for saving on dairy staples? Share your shopping tips and favorite finds with the community—we’d love to hear from you.
Between inflation, supply chain issues, and even bird flu outbreaks, grocery bills have become harder to forecast.
As a result, more consumers are paying closer attention to where they shop—and how much they’re really spending on basics.
To help identify the best options for essential dairy items, a recent price comparison was conducted across six major grocery chains in and around Charlotte, North Carolina: ALDI, Lidl, Walmart, Trader Joe’s, Target, and Publix.
The focus was on five popular staples: eggs, milk, butter, cottage cheese, and Greek yogurt.
While some results followed expectations, others revealed surprising winners and unexpected price gaps.
Dairy staples like eggs, milk, and butter can vary significantly in price depending on where you shop. Image Source: Pexels / Angela Khebou.
Eggs: A morning staple with major price swings
Every store carried eggs, offering both conventional and cage-free varieties.
ALDI offered the best deal with Goldhen Large Cage-Free Eggs priced at just $3.85 per dozen.
Trader Joe’s came in slightly higher at $3.99, while Publix charged $7.99 for its Greenwise eggs—more than double the ALDI price.
Egg Price Breakdown:
- ALDI Goldhen Large Cage-Free Eggs: $3.85/dozen (Winner!)
- Lidl Organic Cage-Free Eggs: $4.79/dozen
- Publix Greenwise Large Cage-Free Eggs: $7.99/dozen
- Trader Joe’s Cage-Free Eggs: $3.99/dozen
- Walmart Marketside Cage-Free Eggs: $5.12/dozen
- Whole Foods 365 Cage-Free Eggs: $5.49/dozen
Also read: Could online grocery shopping be the secret to healthier eating and saving money? Here's what new research says
Milk: One of the widest price gaps
Whole milk prices varied widely. ALDI once again came out ahead with its Friendly Farms Whole Milk priced at just $1.52 per half gallon.
Lidl and Walmart followed closely, but Publix more than doubled that cost at $4.40.
Milk Price Breakdown:
- ALDI Friendly Farms Whole Milk: $1.52/half gallon (Winner!)
- Lidl Whole Milk: $1.55/half gallon
- Publix Greenwise Whole Milk: $4.40/half gallon
- Trader Joe’s Whole Milk: $2.69/half gallon
- Walmart Great Value Whole Milk: $1.54/half gallon
- Whole Foods 365 Whole Milk: $2.79/half gallon
Also read: You won’t believe the new “inconvenient” step grocery customers face as soon as they enter
Butter: A baker’s essential at a bargain
Butter prices ranged from under $3 to more than $6 per pound.
Lidl’s Salted Sweet Cream Butter was the lowest at $2.49, beating ALDI’s second-place $3.49 by a full dollar.
Trader Joe’s had the highest price at $6.29 for a pound of organic salted butter.
Butter Price Breakdown:
- Lidl Salted Sweet Cream Butter: $2.49/16 oz (Winner!)
- ALDI Countryside Creamery Sweet Cream Butter: $3.49/16 oz
- Publix Salted Sweet Cream Butter: $4.12/16 oz
- Trader Joe’s Organic Salted Butter: $6.29/16 oz
- Walmart Great Value Sweet Cream Butter: $3.96/16 oz
- Whole Foods 365 Salted Butter: $4.29/16 oz
Butter prices ranged widely, with Lidl offering the best deal among the six major grocery stores compared. Image Source: Pexels / Markus Spiske.
Also read: Stop wasting money today: The grocery items that are draining your wallet revealed!
Cottage cheese: More protein, less price at ALDI
For shoppers adding cottage cheese to their diet, ALDI again offered the best value: 24 ounces for $2.79.
Though Walmart’s package had a lower sticker price, it offered less volume and a higher per-ounce cost.
Cottage Cheese Price Breakdown:
- ALDI Friendly Farms Cottage Cheese: $2.79/24 oz (Winner!)
- Lidl Daisy Cottage Cheese: $4.92/32 oz
- Publix 4% Milkfat Cottage Cheese: $2.62/16 oz
- Trader Joe’s 4% Milkfat Small Curd Cottage Cheese: $2.99/16 oz
- Walmart Great Value 4% Milkfat Cottage Cheese: $2.24/16 oz
- Whole Foods 365 Organic Cottage Cheese: $3.99/16 oz
Greek yogurt: Lidl offers the best value by the ounce
Greek yogurt prices were relatively close across all six stores, but Lidl stood out for its 32-ounce container at just 11 cents per ounce. ALDI followed closely at $3.75 for the same size.
Greek Yogurt Price Breakdown:
- Lidl Vanilla Greek Yogurt: $3.62/32 oz (Winner!)
- ALDI Friendly Farms Plain Greek Yogurt: $3.75/32 oz
- Publix Greenwise Greek Yogurt: $4.69/24 oz
- Trader Joe’s Plain Greek Yogurt: $2.99/16 oz
- Walmart Great Value Plain Greek Yogurt: $3.54/32 oz
- Whole Foods 365 Plain Greek Yogurt: $4.79/32 oz
Also read: Why grocery prices could shift this month—and what it means for your next salad
The verdict: ALDI vs. Lidl for best overall prices
For those seeking organic products, Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods remain popular choices, though prices are notably higher.
For budget-conscious shoppers, ALDI and Lidl offered the best overall deals. ALDI in particular stood out for low prices on milk, eggs, and cottage cheese, while Lidl led in value for butter and Greek yogurt.
Publix was the most expensive store across the board—sometimes exceeding even Whole Foods on comparable products.
For those hoping to reduce grocery costs, shifting to a new go-to store may be worth the effort.
Also read: Are you at risk of unexpected fees? This US state’s surprising new law could ban a grocery store staple
Smart shopping tips for older adults
- Shop across stores when possible. Consider grabbing basics at ALDI or Lidl and stopping at another store for specialty items or sales.
- Ask about senior savings days. Some locations offer discounts for customers 60 and up—check the website or ask at the service counter.
- Buy in bulk when prices drop. Freezing butter, cheese, and milk can help extend savings.
- Always compare unit prices. The larger item isn’t always cheaper per ounce or pound.
Smart grocery shopping doesn't always mean sticking to just one store.
As this price comparison shows, mixing and matching between ALDI, Lidl, and other retailers can help you get the best deals on essential dairy items.
Whether you're buying in bulk, watching unit prices, or simply staying aware of weekly sales, a little planning can go a long way.
And for older adults on a fixed income, those small savings can really add up over time.
Read next: Slash your grocery bill with this simple trick—learn how and save money!
Have you found better prices in your area? Which store is your go-to for saving on dairy staples? Share your shopping tips and favorite finds with the community—we’d love to hear from you.
