QUICK ANSWER
Yes, pack for pack. Matched to the same pack sizes, the basket cost $74.34 at ALDI and $85.14 at Kroger: $10.80, or 13% less. At the till the gap was $4.23 ($80.97 against $85.20). Both stores in Columbus, OH, priced the same day (November 5, 2026).
30 groceries · 5 family dinners · Columbus, OH · November 5, 2026
| ALDI | Kroger | |
|---|---|---|
| Size-matched total | $74.34 | $85.14 |
| Checkout total | $80.97 | $85.20 |
| Per plate (20 plates) | $4.05 | $4.26 |
| Items cheaper here | 27 of 30 | 3 of 30 |
| Lines on sale that day | 0 | 10 |
Where the difference comes from.
| Category | ALDI | Kroger |
|---|---|---|
| Meat & eggs | $25.54 | $28.05 |
| Dairy | $13.29 | $13.76 |
| Produce | $21.07 | $21.99 |
| Frozen | $1.95 | $2.50 |
| Rice, pasta & tortillas | $6.49 | $5.13 |
| Pantry | $12.63 | $13.77 |
| Checkout total | $80.97 | $85.20 |
Every item, side by side.
Whole-pack prices, linked to the product page we read. The cheaper store for each item (size-matched) is highlighted.
| Item | ALDI | Kroger |
|---|---|---|
| Boneless skinless chicken breasts, frozen3 lb bag | $8.99Kirkwood Chicken Breasts (frozen), 48 oz | $9.99 saleKroger Frozen Raw Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts, 3 lb |
| Ground beef, 80% lean1 lb pack | $11.9080% Lean 20% Fat Ground Beef, about 2.25 lb pack, $5.29/lb | $12.98 saleKroger 80/20 Ground Beef Tray, 1 lb (× 2) |
| Smoked sausage (polska kielbasa)14 oz rope | $2.99Parkview Polska Kielbasa, 14 oz | $3.29 saleKroger Hardwood Smoked Polska Kielbasa, 14 oz |
| Large eggsdozen | $1.66Goldhen Large Grade A Eggs, 12 ct | $1.79Kroger Grade A Large White Eggs, 12 ct |
| Shredded cheddar cheese8 oz bag | $3.29Happy Farms Shredded Mild Cheddar, 16 oz | $2.00 saleKroger Mild Cheddar Shredded Cheese, 8 oz |
| Sour cream16 oz tub | $1.75Friendly Farms Sour Cream, 16 oz | $1.99Kroger Original Sour Cream, 16 oz |
| Salted butter1 lb (4 sticks) | $2.89Countryside Creamery Salted Butter Quarters, 16 oz | $3.49Kroger Salted Butter Sticks, 16 oz |
| Grated parmesan cheese8 oz shaker | $2.79Reggano Grated Parmesan Cheese, 8 oz | $3.49Kroger Parmesan Grated Cheese, 8 oz |
| Whole milk1 gallon | $2.57Friendly Farms Whole Milk, 1 gal | $2.79Kroger Vitamin D Whole Milk Gallon, 1 gal |
| Yellow onions3 lb bag | $2.39Fresh Yellow Onions, 3 lb | $3.39Kroger Yellow Onion 3 lb Bag, 3 lb |
| Garlic1 bulb | $1.49Garlic, 3 ct | $0.89Garlic, 1 ct |
| Russet potatoes5 lb bag | $3.69Baking (russet) Potatoes, 5 lb | $3.49 saleRusset Potatoes Bag, 5 lb |
| Carrots2 lb bag | $1.99Fresh Whole Carrots, 2 lb | $2.29Kroger Whole Carrots, 2 lb |
| Broccoli crowns2 crowns | $4.18Broccoli Crowns, per lb, about 1 lb each, $2.09/lb (× 2) | $3.28Broccoli Crown, about $1.64 each, $2.39/lb (× 2) |
| Green bell peppers3 peppers | $2.69Freshire Farms Green Peppers, 3 ct | $2.67Fresh Large Green Bell Pepper, 1 ct (× 3) |
| Romaine hearts3 hearts | $3.59Romaine Lettuce Hearts, 3 ct | $4.79Kroger Romaine Lettuce Hearts, 18 oz |
| Green onions1 bunch | $1.05Green Onions, 5.5 oz | $1.19Green Onions, 1 each |
| Mixed vegetables, frozen12 oz bag | $0.98Season's Choice Frozen Steamed Mixed Vegetables, 12 oz | $1.25 saleKroger Meal Ready Sides Frozen Mixed Vegetables, 12 oz |
| Sweet corn, frozen12 oz bag | $0.97Season's Choice Frozen Steamed Super Sweet Corn, 12 oz | $1.25 saleKroger Frozen Super Sweet Corn, 12 oz |
| Long grain white rice2 lb bag | $2.65Earthly Grains Enriched Long Grain White Rice, 48 oz | $1.89Kroger Enriched Long Grain White Rice, 32 oz |
| Spaghetti1 lb box | $1.89Reggano Spaghetti, 32 oz | $1.25 saleKroger Spaghetti, 16 oz |
| Flour tortillas, soft taco size10 count | $1.95Pueblo Lindo Flour Tortillas - 10 Count, 17.5 oz | $1.99Kroger Soft Taco Size Flour Tortillas, 10 ct / 17.5 oz |
| Pasta sauce24 oz jar | $1.89Reggano Traditional Pasta Sauce, 24 oz | $2.00Kroger Classic Tomato Traditional Pasta Sauce, 24 oz |
| Black beans, canned2 cans, about 15 oz each | $1.70ALDI Black Beans, 15 oz (× 2) | $2.00Kroger Black Beans, 15.5 oz (× 2) |
| Diced tomatoes, canned14.5 oz can | $0.96Happy Harvest Diced Tomatoes, 14.5 oz | $1.00Kroger Diced Tomatoes, 14.5 oz |
| Chicken broth32 oz carton | $1.39Chef's Cupboard Chicken Broth, 32 oz | $1.49 saleKroger 99% Fat Free Chicken Broth, 32 oz |
| Soy sauce15 oz bottle | $1.65Burman's Soy Sauce, 15 oz | $1.99Kroger Brewed Soy Sauce, 15 fl oz |
| Taco seasoning1 oz packet | $0.46Casa Mamita Original Taco Seasoning Mix, 1 oz | $0.50Kroger Original Taco Seasoning, 1 oz |
| Salsa, chunky16 oz jar | $2.59Casa Mamita Chunky Salsa, Medium, 24 oz | $2.79Kroger Thick & Chunky Medium Salsa, 16 oz |
| Ranch dressing16 oz bottle | $1.99Tuscan Garden Ranch Dressing, 16 fl oz | $2.00 saleKroger Creamy Ranch Salad Dressing, 16 fl oz |
How we compared them.
Both stores are in Columbus, OH and were priced on the same day, November 5, 2026, from their own websites: Walmart at Whitehall Supercenter, 3657 E Main St, Whitehall (Columbus), OH 43213 (store 3447); ALDI at ALDI SPR 53, 2396 Morse Rd, Columbus, OH; Kroger at Kroger E Broad Whitehall, 3675 E Broad St, Whitehall (Columbus), OH 43213. The basket is the fixed 30 items of the MealPot Grocery Index: five weeknight dinners for a family of four. Store brand where there is one, the closest pack size, the price shown that day. Checkout total is what the packs cost at the till. Size-matched rescales any pack that differs from the basket size, so stores compare like for like. Online shelf prices before tax; no coupons, loyalty prices or fees. Full rules: How we price.
Questions.
Is ALDI cheaper than Kroger?
Yes, pack for pack. Matched to the same pack sizes, the basket cost $74.34 at ALDI and $85.14 at Kroger: $10.80, or 13% less. At the till the gap was $4.23 ($80.97 against $85.20).
Is this true everywhere?
It is one store of each chain in one city on one day. Prices vary by region and week, so treat it as a careful spot check, not a national ranking. We repeat it with the monthly Grocery Index.
Which items are cheaper at ALDI?
Size-matched, 27 of the 30 items were cheaper at ALDI and 3 at Kroger. The table above shows every one.
Get your week priced at your store.
MealPot plans your dinners and writes one list. Shop Walmart? MealPot Easy puts the week in your cart.
More comparisons: Is ALDI cheaper than Walmart? · Is Kroger cheaper than Walmart? · Cheapest grocery store · Thanksgiving dinner cost by store
Sources.
- ALDI website, ALDI SPR 53, 2396 Morse Rd, Columbus, OH: 30 prices read on November 5, 2026. Each price links to the page we read.
- Kroger website, Kroger E Broad Whitehall, 3675 E Broad St, Whitehall (Columbus), OH 43213: 30 prices read on November 5, 2026. Each price links to the page we read.
- MealPot is independent of these stores and is not paid by them.