We shopped 5 Columbus grocery stores for the lowest prices. See who had the best deals
It is expensive to be alive right now, and the cost of living continues to be a point of concern for Georgia consumers.
The rise of the bird flu and the recent tariffs are wreaking havoc on our budgets, so conscientious shopping is almost mandatory to stay on a budget.
The average middle-class Georgia shopper spends about $1,126 per month on groceries, representing about 1.98% of the median household income, a recent Atlanta Journal-Constitution article reports.
What are the most expensive items at the grocery store?
The University of Georgia projects an economic slowdown, but not a recession. Georgia researchers put the probability of a recession at 25% with inflation holding steady at 3% throughout 2025.
Some families have to be extremely economical about their market choices and “In many households, fresh fruits and vegetables are often perceived as being so expensive that they are considered luxury items,” writes Frances Hardin-Fanning and Amanda T. Wiggins of the University of Kentucky College of Nursing.
The most expensive items in Georgia are:
Meat and protein: Beef and pork range from $3 to $5 per pound, and chicken from $2 to $3 per pound.
Dairy and eggs: Egg prices are at an all-time high because of external factors, but some Georgia cheeses can run as high as $4.90 per pound.
Splurge purchases: Items like olive oil, premium chocolates and fresh seafood can be among the priciest items at the market.
Which Columbus grocery stores have the best prices?
Although Georgia’s prices are slightly lower than the national average, it’s still best to be a frugal shopper. Luckily, we have done all the legwork for you. We visited Walmart, Publix, Winn Dixie, Aldi and the Piggly Wiggly to collect current prices.
The Ledger-Enquirer visited these five local grocery stores comparing prices on a few essential items. We shopped for milk, butter, cheese, bananas, bread and eggs at the five major shops in the area and totaled up our haul (without sales tax).
Our grocery endeavor was far from scientific and took place over the course of three pre-tariff days at the end of February.
Some of the stores have loyal or reward programs but we only tallied the regular prices without considering any discounts or sale items.
Based on the prices we collected, it seems like Walmart and Aldi are going to be the cheapest.
Here are the results:
Publix - Bradley Park
Store Brand Prices (subtotal: $22.22)
Eggs: Out of stock - $4.99
Milk: $4.49
Cheese: $3.38
Butter: $5.27
Bread: $2.65
Bananas: $0.64/lb - $1.44
Name Brand Prices ( subtotal: $29.70)
Eggs: Peter & Gerry $7.99
Milk: Horizon $5.36
Cheese: Kraft - $4.80
Butter: Land O’Lakes - $5.49
Bread: Sunbeam - $3.99
Bananas: $0.64/lb - $1.44
Winn Dixie - Veterans Parkway
Store Brand Prices (subtotal: $23.65)
Eggs: Egglands Best $6.49 (out of stock on the day)
Milk: Know & Love $5.29
Cheese: Know & Love - $2.79
Butter: Know & Love - $5.49
Bread: Essentials - $1.99
Bananas: $0.58/lb - $1.60
Name Brand Prices (subtotal: $32.55)
Eggs: Sunny Meadow- $8.19
Milk: Prairie Farms - $6.79
Cheese: Kraft - $4.29
Butter: Land O’Lakes - $7.69
Bread: Sunbeam - $3.99
Bananas: $0.58/lb - $1.60
Walmart Superstore - Whittlesy Blvd.
Store Brand Prices ( subtotal: $17.86)
Eggs: Great Value - $5.97
Milk: Great Value - $2.67
Cheese: Great Value - $2.24
Butter: Great Value - $3.96
Bread: Great Value - $1.42
Bananas: $0.50/lbs - $0.97
Name Brand Prices (subtotal: $24.79)
Eggs: Egglands Best $6.40
Milk: Horizon - $5.52
Cheese: Kraft - $2.98
Butter: Land O’Lakes - $5.28
Bread: Sunbeam - $3.64
Bananas: $0.50/lbs - $0.97
Piggly Wiggly - 13th Street
Store Brand Prices (subtotal: $25.54)
Eggs: Dutch Farms - $10.59
Milk: Piggly Wiggly - $4.29
Cheese: Piggly Wiggly - $2.53
Bread: Piggly Wiggly - $2.29
Bananas: $0.69/lb - $1.55
Name Brand Prices (subtotal: $26.26)
Eggs: Egglands Best - $5.39
Milk: Meadow Brook - $4.29
Cheese: Kraft $4.45
Bread: Sunbeam - $3.99
Bananas: $0.69/lb - $1.55
Aldi - Macon Road
Store Brand Prices: (subtotal $17. 38)
Eggs: Gold Hen - $5.97 (limit 2)
Milk: Friendly Farms - $2.67
Cheese: Happy Farms - $1.99
Butter: Country Side Creamery - $3.75
Bread: Wheat - $1.35
Bananas: $0.73/lb - $1.65
Name Brand Prices (subtotal: $20.54)
Eggs: Gold Hen - $5.97 (limit 2)
Milk: Friendly Farms - $2.67
Cheese: Cabot - $3.45
Butter: Simply Nature - $5.45
Bread: Wheat - $ 1.35 (out of white)
Bananas: $0.73/lb - $1.65
Money saving hacks at the grocery store
Saving money at the grocery store is both important and strategic. It involves a combination of planning, smart shopping, and deal hunting.
Here are some ways to keep your grocery bill manageable:
Plan your meals and make a list
Shop the sales and use coupons
Buy the store brand
Take advantage of loyalty programs
Compare prices ahead of time.
The biggest way to save at the store is to never shop hungry. Eating a sandwich before shopping is proven to reduce impulse buys.
I know you guys probably have all sorts of tips and tricks and grocery hacks. Send them all to me. Email me at srose@ledger-enquirer.com or find me on Instagram.
