With grocery bills still biting, many Australians are asking the same question at the checkout: where can I actually save money? A new report from CHOICE has taken a close look at supermarket prices across the country – and the results might not surprise you. While one chain continues to come out on top overall, there’s a twist when it comes to specials, fresh food and where you live. Here’s what you need to know before your next shop.
After surveying 104 supermarkets across 27 locations, CHOICE compared the cost of a typical basket of 17 grocery items — including everyday staples like milk, bread, fruit, chicken and a selection of lunchbox snacks.
The headline result is clear: Aldi once again takes the crown as the cheapest supermarket overall.
Without factoring in specials, the same basket cost:
$75.98 at Aldi
$90.08 at Woolworths
$90.90 at Coles
$101.84 at IGA
Even when discounts and specials were included, Aldi still came out cheapest, with only small shifts in pricing at the other supermarkets.
But while Aldi leads on total cost, the story isn’t quite that simple.
Aldi’s consistently lower prices come largely from its focus on home-brand products. In fact, the baskets at Coles, Woolworths and IGA included more name-brand items to allow for fair comparisons.
That means if you’re loyal to certain brands, the price gap may not feel quite as dramatic. However, over time, even small savings – sometimes just a few cents per item – can add up to significant yearly savings.
If you tend to shop at either Coles or Woolworths, there’s very little separating them.
In this latest survey, just 82 cents separated the two chains on a full basket – and only about $1 when specials were included. In fact, nearly half the items in the basket were priced exactly the same.
The takeaway? It’s not about choosing one over the other – it’s about watching specials and being flexible.
IGA came out as the most expensive option overall, with baskets costing around $10 more than Woolworths on average.
However, there’s an important caveat: IGA stores are independently owned, meaning prices can vary significantly. Some local stores may actually be competitive, while others are noticeably pricier.
Lunchbox items and everyday essentials
The survey also zoomed in on common lunchbox items – things like bread, cheese, yoghurt, chips and fruit.
Again, Aldi was cheapest at $41.96 for the basket.
Woolworths and Coles were neck-and-neck at around $54–$55, while IGA was higher again.
When it came to basic staples like milk, bananas and Weet-Bix, Aldi was cheapest across all seven base items – though sometimes only by a few cents.
There was some good news for shoppers: overall prices for staple items have fallen slightly in the past 12 months.
One of the biggest factors? Strawberries. Prices dropped significantly due to seasonal supply, helping bring overall basket costs down.
Milk, however, went the other way, rising by an average of 6 per cent across all supermarkets.
Location also plays a role in how much you pay.
The study found small price differences across states for Aldi, Coles and Woolworths – usually just a few dollars. But at IGA, the gap between the cheapest and most expensive locations was more than $15.
Price isn’t everything – especially when it comes to fresh food.
CHOICE also tested how long strawberries lasted after purchase. Coles had the freshest fruit on day one, but after five days, Woolworths came out on top.
Aldi and IGA lagged behind in this test, with more fruit showing signs of spoilage earlier.
The key takeaway isn’t just about choosing one supermarket over another.
CHOICE says the smartest way to save is to:
Check unit pricing (price per 100g or litre)
Shop around for specials
Be flexible with brands and products
Switching stores occasionally, trying home-brand items, and even opting for frozen or “imperfect” produce can all help reduce your grocery bill.
While prices remain higher than they were a few years ago, small changes can make a real difference – especially over time.