Are grocery prices down in Columbus? We did some comparison shopping
Back in February, grocery prices in Columbus were uncomfortably high, especially for basic staples like eggs and butter. Now, mid-summer, we’ve revisited those same shelves across five major grocery chains, Publix, Walmart, Winn-Dixie, Piggly Wiggly and Aldi, and found that most prices have quietly dropped.
In some cases, the savings are actually quite meaningful.
Below is a breakdown of what’s changed, so readers can make informed decisions about where their grocery dollars go.
Groceries we purchased
This analysis focuses on six core grocery items:
A dozen large eggs
Gallon of 2% milk
An 8 oz block of mild cheddar cheese
4 sticks of unsalted butter
Plain white bread
Bananas by the pound
We collected both store-brand and name-brand prices from each store, using mostly first person confirmation, except for one item at Walmart that wasn’t marked with a price.
Price comparison between February and July 2025
Generally speaking, prices have come down since earlier in the year, with the prices of eggs making the most noticeable difference. Down 23% from February, it’s fair to say it’s safe to buy eggs again.
Breakdown by store
Publix
Eggs dropped from $4.99 to $3.49
Butter and bread stayed consistent
Milk actually ticked up slightly
Name-brand items held steady at higher-than-average prices
Verdict: Still the most expensive option for name brands, but store-brand eggs and butter are more affordable now.
Winn-Dixie
Eggs (Eggland’s Best) fell from $6.49 to $3.89
Store-brand cheese and milk prices were stable
Bananas dropped slightly
Verdict: A mid-range option with modest savings over time.
Walmart
Most prices decreased slightly
Cheese (Great Value) dropped from $2.24 to $1.97
Name-brand butter fell from $5.28 to $4.96
Verdict: Still among the most affordable across all items.
Piggly Wiggly
Store-brand eggs were $10.59 in February, now $3.89
Cheese and bread stayed consistent
Name-brand butter and eggs are still high compared to other stores
Verdict: Mixed pricing. Watch for outliers.
Aldi
Little to no change in prices
Eggs, milk, cheese and butter all stayed within a few cents
Still the most consistent and budget-friendly across both time periods
Verdict: Aldi remains the lowest-cost leader for staple goods.
What do these price changes mean for the consumer?
If you haven’t looked closely at your receipts lately, now might be the time. A grocery trip that cost you $30 for basics in February might come in closer to $24 today, especially if you stick to store brands or shop at Aldi or Walmart.
And if you’re loyal to name-brand products? Prices there are down, too, but you’ll still pay more than you would for generic versions.
Key takeaways
Prices have come down, but where you shop still matters. If saving money is the goal, lean toward:
Aldi for consistency
Walmart for across-the-board affordability
Store brands whenever possible
Let us know where you’ve seen the best grocery deals this summer or the biggest price shocks, and if there are any items you’d like to see price checked, email me at srose@ledger-enquirer.com or find me on social media.
This story was originally published July 11, 2025 at 10:48 AM.
