Trader Joe’s vs. Whole Foods: Which Store Has Better Value for Popular Foods?

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Grocery shopping isn’t cheap, so you need to focus on value. If you regularly shop store-brand items at both Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods, you know many products are similar in both price and quality.

Everyone has different preferences, but one store tends to be a better bang for your buck. Keep reading to learn whether the following seven popular foods are a better value at Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s.

Eggs

• Whole Foods: $5.79
• Trader Joe’s: $5.99

Essentially the same product, one dozen Trader Joe’s Pasture-Raised Large Brown Eggs are about the same price as one dozen Whole Foods Market Pasture-Raised Large Brown Eggs.

If you’re looking to save two dimes, the Whole Foods eggs are rated five stars, indicating customers are pleased with their purchase.

Coffee

• Whole Foods: $11.49
• Trader Joe’s: $8.99

A medium roast, 12-ounce bag of Whole Foods Market Organic Early Bird Blend contains notes of cocoa and roasted nuts. Slightly larger, a 14-ounce bag of Organic Joe Medium Roast Ground Coffee is made from a bright and balanced 100% Arabica blend.

Save $2.50 and gain two ounces by opting for the Trader Joe’s version.

Fresh Salmon

• Whole Foods: $14.99 per pound
• Trader Joe’s: $12.99 per pound

Farm raised and antibiotic-free, these Trader Joe’s Fresh Atlantic Salmon Boneless Skinless Fillet are a product of Norway. Responsibly farmed or sustainably wild-caught, Whole Foods Atlantic Salmon Fillet are sourced from Iceland and are free of certain preservatives, including sodium bisulfite and STPP.

The salmon seems relatively similar, so Trader Joe’s is likely the better value.

Frozen Pepperoni Pizza

• Whole Foods: $5.69
• Trader Joe’s: $5.99

Rated 4.5 stars by customers, the 365 by Whole Foods Market, Thin Crust Uncured Pepperoni Pizza is free of nitrates and weighs in at 13.3 ounces. Notably larger, the Trader Joe’s Uncured Pepperoni Pizza is 17.63 ounces and also nitrate free.

Unless you want thin crust, go with the Trader Joe’s option, as paying $0.30 more gets four-plus extra ounces of pizza.

Dinner Rolls

• Whole Foods: $3.49
• Trader Joe’s: $2.99

Soft and moist, this eight-pack of Trader Joe’s Dinner Rolls is currently offered for a limited-time only. Available year-round, 365 Classic Dinner Rolls are offered in a 12-pack.

The Whole Foods rolls look more expensive, but you’re getting an 18-ounce bag — with four more rolls — than the Trader Joe’s 12-ounce bag. That makes it a better price per ounce. However, the Whole Foods option is only rated three stars, so this one is kind of a toss-up, depending on what you’re looking for — taste versus quantity.

Pumpkin Pie

• Whole Foods: $13.99
• Trader Joe’s: $6.99

Both made in a classic style, the Whole Foods Pumpkin Pie is 28 ounces of goodness, and the Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Pie is nearly the same size at 27 ounces. Besides price, there seems to be no marked differences between the two, so the Trader Joe’s version is by far the better value.

Macaroni and Cheese

• Whole Foods: $6.49
• Trader Joe’s: $2.99

Made with cheddar cheese, this frozen, 15-ounce container of 365 Mac & Cheese serves as an easy meal. At 14 ounces, Joe’s Diner Mac ‘n Cheese is about the same size, but this frozen meal is a mix of cheddar, Havarti, Gouda and Swiss cheeses.

Considering it’s less than half the price and a bit more interesting, the better value goes to Trader Joe’s.

Which Store Offers the Better Value?

When the seven items above are added up, the Whole Foods bill totals $61.93 (though possibly less if you’re a Prime member), while the Trader Joe’s bill comes to $46.93 — a $15 price difference. Overall, Trader Joe’s won — or at least tied for — the better value on most items, making it the winner.

Editor’s note: Pricing and availability may vary. Prices are accurate as of Jan. 6, 2025.

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