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.
