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Trader Joe’s Price List vs. Local Chain Grocery Store – Which is Better?

September 5, 2017 by Jennifer 16 Comments

Anyone who knows me, knows that I am a HUGE Trader Joe’s fan. It was so sad when I moved from California to Utah and discovered there was not a Trader Joe’s within a few hundred miles. How were we supposed to eat?!?! Luckily, I  only had to wait a few years before they opened one not too far from my house. (This post contains affiliate links.)

Trader Joe's Price List

Ever since then, I go there almost every Sunday to do my weekly grocery shopping. In fact here is a list of 25 of the best things to buy from Trader Joe’s, and you can see in my Weekly Dinner Menus that I use their food in most of my cooking. KristenHewitt.com also has this awesome resource with more Trader Joe’s Meal Hacks and Snacks.

Funny thing is, I literally live behind another local grocery store chain (so close it’s embarrassing to drive there instead of walking). Yet I still drive across town to shop at TJ’s.

I always chuckle a little when I come across a controversial article on Trader Joe’s. While I do feel better about food I buy from TJ’s, there is the misconception out there that they claim to be 100% GMO free, among other general “healthy” claims, when in fact they have never said that.

Trader Joe's Receipt

When the person complained that the Joe-Joe’s (like an Oreo but way better) didn’t help her lose any weight or become more healthy, she forgot that even 100% organic, all natural, non-GMO cookies… ARE STILL FREAKING COOKIES!

Ok, rant over. Two things that are a fact however; the majority of their food is simply delicious, and they have good prices. I know I get questioned a lot on whether they really are cheaper than a traditional grocery store. I even find myself questioning Trader Joe’s pricing sometimes when I spend more than I should.

Ever wonder if Trader Joe's really is any cheaper? Here's a Trader Joe's price list side by side with a local grocery store.

In order to settle the debate once and for all, I drove my butt over to the local grocery store by my house, and bought the exact same groceries I would have that week at Trader Joe’s. Here is a side-by-side comparison of the Trader Joe’s price list versus our local grocery store.

A couple things to note: Anything highlighted in light green is organic from Trader Joe’s, but not organic from my local store. Also, this ended up not being a completely comprehensive list because there are things I get from TJ’s that you just can’t get from the grocery store (like the Gorgonzola Gnocchi or their famous Cookie Butter). And finally, I made sure to match up pack sizes as closely as possible. If anything, just to be fair, sometimes the local grocery store pack size was smaller than Trader Joe’s. But never the other way around.

Trader Joe's Prices

Trader Joe’s Price List vs. Our Local Grocery Store

Trader Joe's Price List

So as you can see, in a typical week of grocery shopping, I save money by going to Trader Joe’s instead of the grocery store by my house. Which in my mind is just the icing on the cake for feeling better about the food I’m feeding my family.

Trader Joe's Pricing

Craving one of the famous Trader Joe’s finds, but don’t live near a store? I was surprised to see that you can order some things on Amazon, and even get them in two days with Prime (which is on sale for $5.99/mo until the end of the year)!

What’s your favorite score from Trader Joe’s?

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Filed Under: Food & Drink, Homemaking, Living, Money Tagged With: Trader Joe's Price List, Trader Joe's Pricing, trader joes

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Arden says

    September 5, 2017 at 7:50 am

    This is *really* interesting to see. I know we tend to go to TJ's specifically for the things we can't get elsewhere (gorgonzola gnocchi, yum!) so it's cool to see the price comparison across other more "typically available" products. Great post!
    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      September 5, 2017 at 8:15 am

      Thanks! I know I always wonder what the "real" side-by-side is.
      Reply
  2. Ivy Boyter says

    September 5, 2017 at 9:53 am

    I'm getting a Trader Joe's near my house soon as well. I thought I heard they're cash only ... is that true?
    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      September 5, 2017 at 11:12 pm

      Lucky you! All the ones I've been to accept cards.
      Reply
  3. Liz Petrone says

    September 5, 2017 at 10:07 am

    I am gearing up for my first ever trip to TJ's (we are on a Whole30 and need some new inspiration) and so this couldn't be more timely! Thank you!
    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      September 5, 2017 at 11:12 pm

      Oh nice, good luck! The store is small but mighty.
      Reply
  4. Megan says

    September 5, 2017 at 10:44 am

    I drive past like 6 other stores to get to TJ's. Arden that gorgonzola gnocci is a life changer! I typically only buy meat at the actual butcher, but would be willing to give it a try at TJ's.
    Reply
  5. Jill Robbins says

    September 5, 2017 at 1:47 pm

    Interesting. Trader Joe's is a bit of a trek for me and I hardly ever go there unless I happen to be in that area. I do love it, though, and I'm happy to see that it doesn't cost way more. I always thought it did.
    Reply
  6. Dara says

    September 5, 2017 at 5:41 pm

    I LOVE Trader Joe's! I can't wait for pumpkin everything this month :)
    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      September 5, 2017 at 11:11 pm

      It IS that time!
      Reply
  7. Kristen Hewitt says

    September 5, 2017 at 6:25 pm

    Wow love this comparison. Thanks for linking to me!
    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      September 5, 2017 at 11:11 pm

      Thanks Kristen!
      Reply
  8. Laura says

    September 6, 2017 at 9:49 am

    It is often a good deal, isn't it? It''s the closest store to us and the one we frequent the most. There are some things we end up getting at Costco or Winco/other standard store (bulk peanut butter, spices, meat deals). But usually, TJs has great prices. Melons/squash priced per piece vs lb? Usually far less expensive that way for those. The "easy" meal from there that the kids love is their orange chicken. $4.99/bag, plus some sticky rice and broccoli at home gives us a meal for 4 for super cheap.
    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      September 6, 2017 at 9:20 pm

      Agreed Laura. We ALWAYS have a bag of orange chicken in the freezer!
      Reply
  9. Jay Morin says

    February 24, 2020 at 10:05 am

    Market Basket in New England is way cheaper!
    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      April 22, 2020 at 12:03 pm

      We don't have those out here, good to know!
      Reply

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Welcome, I'm Jen! I'm here to offer realistic (sometimes semi-green) parenting, eating, and homemaking tips so that you can embrace life and let go of perfection. Because if I can do it, you can do it! Get to know more of Jen →

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Welcome, I'm Jen! I'm here to offer realistic (sometimes semi-green) parenting, eating, and homemaking tips so that you can embrace life and let go of perfection. Because if I can do it, you can do it! Get to know more of Jen →

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