I Brought the Same Shopping List to Walmart & Dollar General - Here's Who Was The Clear Winner

The rising cost of just about everything makes price shopping essential. That's why I compared the same list at two of my favorite stores: Walmart and Dollar General.

I always save money at Walmart on big-ticket items, private-label line generics, and bulk buys. While Dollar General doesn't have the same supersized selection, its rock-bottom prices make it easy to keep my budget on track.

So which retailer has the best deals? And the winner is…You'll have to keep reading to find out where I scored the better bargains.

Editor's note: Prices and availability are subject to change and may vary by location.

Pantry products

Winner: Walmart

Flour, sugar, oil, and other pantry staples are always on my shopping list. I nabbed deals on bulk quantities of these items at Walmart, paying $2.38 for a five-pound bag of Great Value All-Purpose Flour and $8.74 for a gallon of vegetable oil.

In comparison, Dollar General sells a five-pound bag of Clover Valley All-Purpose Flour for $2.85. A gallon jug of the generic brand's vegetable oil costs $9.

Beauty buys

Winner: Dollar General

Both Walmart and Dollar General sell beauty products at lower prices than specialty stores like Sephora and Ulta. But which discount retailer has the best deals?

I spotted E.L.F.'s Holy Hydration! Fragrance-free face cream with niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and peptides at Walmart for $12.97. The identical 1.7-ounce item costs over $2 less ($ 10.50) at Dollar General.

A 12-ounce bottle of Monday Haircare Moisture Shampoo was cheaper at Walmart — but only by $0.03.

Cleaning products

Winner: Walmart

Cleaning products that pull double (or triple) duty make it easy to save money. And that's why I put Mr. Clean All Purpose Concentrated Cleaner on my list. At Walmart, this floor, bathroom, kitchen, and just about everything else household cleaner is $5.94. Dollar General sells the same 41-ounce bottle for $6.

I also compared 32-ounce bottles of generic glass cleaner at both stores. Walmart's Great Value won this price showdown ($1.74 versus $2.95 at Dollar General).

Home decor

Winner: Walmart

Why waste money on overpriced interior accents from upscale stores like Pottery Barn and West Elm? Walmart sells a classic 20-ounce vanilla-scented candle from Mainstays for $6.77. A smaller 14-ounce jar from True Living costs $7 at Dollar General.

Candles weren't the only home decor item that cost less at Walmart. I found a four-by-six-inch tabletop photo frame from Mainstays for $3.47. An almost identical item costs $4 at Dollar General.

Sweets and snacks

Winner: Walmart

Candy, chips, nuts, and pretzels can ruin my budget (and my waistline). But at Walmart, I don't have to worry about my wallet. A 12-ounce bag of Swedish Fish Minis only cost me $3.96. Dollar General sells eight ounces of the full-size fish for $3.

If you're looking for a brand-name salty snack, Walmart also has the better value. I found an eight-ounce bag of Lay's Classic Potato Chips for $2.50. Dollar General charges $3.50 for the same product.

Health items

Winner: Walmart

Bumps and scrapes from outdoor adventures make it absolutely essential to stock my medicine cabinet with first-aid items. Walmart sells a 60-count of Equate Antibacterial Medium Plastic Bandages for $1.38, while a 30-piece pack of the fabric version costs $1 at Dollar General.

Triple antibiotic ointment is also a bargain at Walmart. I nabbed a one-ounce tube from Equate for $2.84. Dollar General's store brand would have set me back $4.50.

Kitchen gadgets

Winner: Dollar General

Like home decor, both stores sell affordable kitchen gadgets. So which one has the best prices on basics like can openers and cooking utensils?

Dollar General just edges out Walmart in the can-opener price battle ($6.50 vs. $6.97). But the real deal is on wooden spoons. A set of three from True Living costs $2.25 at Dollar General. Walmart sells a single bamboo spoon from Mainstays for $2.97.

Storage and organization

Winner: Walmart

How can you organize everything for less? I added clear oversized plastic tubs to my shopping list and scored big at Walmart. A 72-quart Hefty latching bin costs $12.44. You'll pay $4 more for a smaller 52.8-quart storage solution at the dollar store.

Beverages

Winner: Walmart

Bottled water shouldn't break the bank. At Walmart, I only paid $3.99 for a 24-count of 16.9-ounce bottles. Dollar General's Clover Valley brand costs $4.50, making the superstore the better option.

Sometimes I prefer seltzer over flat water. One liter of Walmart's Clear American Raspberry Sparkling Water costs $0.98. While Clover Valley is almost the same price, you'll pay $0.02 more at Dollar General.

Bottom line

There you have it. The winner is Walmart. After shopping from one list at both stores, I saved on almost every item, except for beauty buys and kitchen gadgets. But that doesn't mean you should count out Dollar General. This discount store has budget-friendly bargains galore.

Even though both of the retailers offer affordable prices on everything from pantry products to home decor, I have one more way to save. Hint: The best cash back credit cards make it easy to earn rewards on eligible Walmart and Dollar General purchases.

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