Price Comparisons of Charlotte’s Most Popular Grocery Stores – Charlotte Magazine

Price checks from seven store brand items

Rochester, New York-based grocery chain Wegmans plans to open its first Charlotte store in Ballantyne in 2026. The way Charlotteans responded to the announcement in April, you’d think Taylor Swift had added a Spectrum Center stop to her Eras Tour. At the same time, it’ll be that much harder to decide where to buy your milk and eggs. So we’ve compared prices from some of Charlotte’s most popular grocers—all on Thursday, May 16. They do not reflect discounts or sales but are from store brands when available.

*Lowest Price; Highest Price

ALDI

What it’s good for: Aldi carries more than 90% store-brand products and has smaller stores with fewer staff (shoppers bag their own groceries and return their own carts), which allows it to keep prices low.

How many in CLT: 8

Dozen large eggs: 2.49
Gallon of whole milk: 2.52
Bananas, per lb.: .38
1 Green bell pepper: .56
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts, per lb.: 3.49
Ground beef, 80% lean, per lb.: 4.09
Loaf of white bread: .50
Long-grain white rice, per lb.: .66
Frozen mixed vegetables, per lb.: 1.40
Total: $16.12

FOOD LION

What it’s good for: Food Lion caters to low-income shoppers with low prices and frequent sales. Its stores are also typically in neighborhoods where the median income is below average.

How many in CLT: 28

Dozen large eggs: 1.99
Gallon of whole milk: 2.46
Bananas, per lb.: .53
1 Green bell pepper: .89
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts, per lb.: 2.79
Ground beef, 80% lean, per lb.: 5.29
Loaf of white bread: 2.39
Long-grain white rice, per lb.: .93
Frozen mixed vegetables, per lb.: 1.25
Total: $18.52

HARRIS TEETER

What it’s good for: Harris Teeter’s “VIC card” rewards program offers major discounts as well as fuel points. It also has a prepared-foods section that rivals Whole Foods’—for less money—and free cookies for kids.

How many in CLT: 29

Dozen large eggs: 2.69
Gallon of whole milk: 3.29
Bananas, per lb.: .79
1 Green bell pepper: 1.25
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts, per lb.: 4.99
Ground beef, 80% lean, per lb.: 5.99
Loaf of white bread: 1.99
Long-grain white rice, per lb.: .50
Frozen mixed vegetables, per lb.: 1.49
Total: $22.98

TRADER JOE’S

What it’s good for: Trader Joe’s sells very few brand-name items and spends zero dollars on advertising, which allows for lower prices than traditional grocery stores. Its store-brand products do not contain MSG, genetically modified ingredients, hydrogenated oils, or artificial flavors, preservatives, or colors. It’s also beloved for its large selection of frozen meals and unique seasonal snacks.

How many in CLT: 3

Dozen large eggs: 2.49
Gallon of whole milk: 3.99
Bananas, per lb.: about .69
1 Green bell pepper: .79
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts, per lb.: 4.99
Ground beef, 80% lean, per lb.: 4.99
Loaf of white bread: 1.99
Long-grain white rice, per lb.: 1.10
Frozen mixed vegetables, per lb.: 1.99
Total: $23.02

PUBLIX

What it’s good for: While Publix is popular for its upscale interior and frequent BOGO deals, it’s the chain’s bussin’ deli subs and cakes that inspire the most brand loyalty.  

How many in CLT: 6 (2 more coming soon)

Dozen large eggs: 4.41
Gallon of whole milk: 4.19
Bananas, per lb.: .69
1 Green bell pepper: about .90
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts, per lb.: 4.29
Ground beef, 80% lean, per lb.: 6.99
Loaf of white bread: 1.77
Long-grain white rice, per lb.: 1.20
Frozen mixed vegetables, per lb.: 2.76
Total: $27.20

WHOLE FOODS

What it’s good for: With its organic offerings and focus on low-processed foods, Whole Foods targets the health-conscious, financially comfortable shopper. It also has a wide selection of specialty foods; salad and hot bars; and free grocery pickup via Amazon Prime.

How many in CLT: 3

Dozen large eggs: 4.29
Gallon of whole milk: 6.19
Bananas, per lb.: .55
1 Green bell pepper:  about .60
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts, per lb.: 5.99
Ground beef, 80% lean, per lb.: 5.00
Loaf of white bread: 3.99
Long-grain white rice, per lb.: 2.15
Frozen mixed vegetables, per lb.: 2.99
Total: $31.75

WEGMANS*

*prices from the Chapel Hill location

What it’s good for: It mixes luxury and affordability. The presentation makes it feel like a specialty grocer. Yet it has the second-lowest total price of all our surveyed stores, largely due to its abundance of store-brand options. It also has hot food bars, plenty of specialty products, and an attached burger bar.

How many in CLT: 1, coming soon

Dozen large eggs: 1.69
Gallon of whole milk: 2.59
Bananas, per lb.: .69
1 Green bell pepper: about .83
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts, per lb.: 2.29
Ground beef, 80% lean, per lb.: 5.29
Loaf of white bread: 1.29
Long-grain white rice, per lb.: .99
Frozen mixed vegetables, per lb.: 1.32
Total: $16.98