How Far $50 Goes at Trader Joe’s Compared to Whole Foods
- - How Far $50 Goes at Trader Joe’s Compared to Whole Foods
Dawn AllcotFebruary 16, 2026 at 10:00 PM
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Grocery store Whole Foods is often derided with the nickname “Whole Paycheck” because of its high prices. Meanwhile, Trader Joe’s, known for healthy, budget-friendly food and cheap wine, attracts lower-middle to middle-class Americans ($50,000 to $100,000 in income), typically older Gen Z, millennials, and younger Gen X.
But does your money really go further at Trader Joe’s? We compared popular grocery items that might fill an average shopper’s cart to see which store comes out ahead. When possible, we looked for exact matches and chose store brands for added savings.
Eggs
Several shopping experts have noted that eggs are dropping in price lately and we should enjoy the reprieve until Easter rolls around. A dozen organic, pasture-raised large brown eggs from Trader Joe’s cost $7, while the same product from Whole Foods, labeled Vital Farms, costs $11. However, you can find store-brand eggs as low as $4.29 a dozen at Whole Foods; the TJ’s website didn’t list a non-organic option.
Winner: Trader Joe’s if you’re buying organic, otherwise Whole Foods
It’s worth noting that for the sake of direct comparison, we’re using website prices, but oftentimes shoppers are able to find non-organic, cheaper egg options at Trader Joe’s if they go in person, which may match or even beat the Whole Foods non-organic price.
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Milk
Again, the Trader Joe’s website didn’t list more affordable, non-organic versions of cow’s milk. A half-gallon of organic milk sells for $6, while the same half-gallon costs $5 at Whole Foods and you can get a half-gallon non-organic milk for $2.89.
Winner: Whole Foods
Organic Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
As meat prices rise, many Americans are turning to chicken to meet their protein needs. White meats like chicken breasts are low in fat, high in protein and extremely versatile to use in recipes ranging from chicken cutlet parmesan to stir-fry. Whole Foods is slightly pricier for organic chicken breasts, ranging from $8 to $9 a pound, compared to TJ’s price of $7.49 per pound.
Winner: Trader Joe’s
Ground Beef 80/20
Ground beef remains one of the few semi-affordable beef products available in stores. A mix of 20% fat/80% lean is recognized to make great burgers, and is also good for tacos, casseroles and dishes where you drain the fat before serving. You can save 50 cents with Trader Joe’s 80/20 ground beef at $6.49 per pound rather than $7 per pound. It’s probably not worth making a separate trip for the savings, though.
Winner: Trader Joe’s
Spaghetti
In the mood for spaghetti and meat sauce? Grab a 1-pound package of spaghetti at Trader Joe’s for just 99 cents, compared to $3.29 at Whole Foods.
Winner: Trader Joe’s
Organic Marinara Sauce
You’ll need sauce to go along with your ground beef and pasta. Trader “Giotto’s” organic marinara sauce is $3.49 for a 25-ounce jar. Meanwhile, 365 by Whole Foods organic marinara sauce is $3.79. It’s not a big difference, but Whole Foods’ slightly higher prices on many pantry staples add up. For instance, you can make a spaghetti-and-meat-sauce dinner from Trader Joe’s for about six people for under $1.75 per serving. The same meal from Whole foods would run about $2.33 per serving.
Winner: Trader Joe’s
Frozen Potstickers
Chicken gyoza potstickers are an easy favorite from both Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods. But Trader Joe’s is a far better value, at $4 for 16 ounces. The Feel Good Foods brands, sold at Whole Foods, will set you back $7.48 for 10 ounces, but it also includes tamari dipping sauce. Choose wisely!
Winner: Trader Joe’s
Cheese Party Tray
Whether you’re looking for a weekend snack or have unexpected company and want to serve a little something, pre-sliced trays of assorted cheese can be a lifesaver. Whole Foods sells a 12-ounce tray for $8.49, while Trader Joe’s offers 16 ounces for just $6.
Winner: Trader Joe’s
Pita Crackers With Sea Salt
If you’re serving cheese, you probably want crackers to go with it. 365 by Whole Foods pita crackers with sea salt are $3.49 for 5 ounces. You can get 6 ounces of Trader Joe’s pita bite crackers for just $2.99.
Winner: Trader Joe’s
Multigrain Bread
Both Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods have many varieties of breads, including white, whole wheat and multigrain. For comparison purposes, we chose Trader Joe’s sliced seedy multigrain bread in a 16-ounce loaf for $3.49, compared to Whole Foods multigrain bread at $5 for 22 ounces. Whole Foods is the more expensive choice, but not by as much as you’d think at first glance. TJ’s bread works out to 21.8 cents an ounce, while Whole Foods is 22.7 cents an ounce.
Winner: Trader Joe’s
Dark-Chocolate-Covered Cookies
Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods both offer so many indulgent treats, it’s hard to walk away without adding something sweet to your cart. We chose Trader Joe’s dark-chocolate-covered bon bon cookies at $3.49 for 3.52 ounces. and Pierre Biscuiterie French butter cookies coated with dark chocolate from Whole Foods at $5 for 4.76 ounces. This was another close call, and when we did the math, the TJ’s pick came in slightly cheaper at 99 cents per ounce versus $1.07 per ounce.
Winner: Trader Joe’s
Trader Joe’s vs. Whole Foods: Which Is Cheaper for Grocery Shopping?
Item
Trader Joe’s Price
Whole Foods Price
Winner
Organic, Pasture Raised Large Brown Eggs (dozen)
$7.00
$11.00
Trader Joe’s
Organic milk (half-gallon)
$6.00
$5.00
Whole Foods
Organic Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
$7.50/lb.
$8.50/lb.
Trader Joe’s
Ground beef 80/20 (1 lb.)
$6.49
$7.00
Trader Joe’s
Spaghetti
$1.00
$3.29
Trader Joe’s
Store brand Organic Marinara Sauce (25 oz.)
$3.49
$3.79
Trader Joe’s
Frozen chicken gyoza potstickers
$4.00 (16 oz.)
$7.49 (10 oz.)
Trader Joe’s
Cheese Party Tray
$6.00 (16 oz.)
$8.49 (12 oz.)
Trader Joe’s
Multi-grain bread
$3.49 (16.oz.)
$5.00 (22 oz.)
Trader Joe’s
Pita Crackers with Sea Salt
$2.99 (6 oz.)
$3.49 (5 oz.)
Trader Joe’s
Dark chocolate covered cookies
$3.49 (3.52 oz.)
$5.00 (4.76 oz.)
Trader Joe’s
Total Basket
$51.45
$68.05
Trader Joe’s
Whole Foods came out less expensive in only one category (milk). In some cases, the difference was only a few cents, but, in others, like the party cheese tray, you’re paying a whole lot more for less at Whole Foods.
The TJ’s haul came out to $51.45 in total. The same groceries at Whole Foods would cost $68.05. That’s more than $16 in savings at Trader Joe’s. It might be worth driving a little farther (if you have to) for those savings.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: How Far $50 Goes at Trader Joe’s Compared to Whole Foods
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