I Brought the Same Grocery List to Walmart & Dollar Tree - Here's Who Was the Clear Winner

The rising cost of everything from pantry products to frozen food has made it almost impossible to buy everything at one store. And that's why I scoured several retailers for the top deals on items I buy almost every week.

I recently pitted Walmart against Dollar Tree in the battle for the best bargains. Which chain made it easier for me to tackle high grocery costs? While both stores offered exceptional value on an array of affordable options, I could only crown one the winner.

Keep reading to find out whether Walmart or Dollar Tree is the least expensive option.

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

Pantry staples

Winner: Walmart

Shelf-stable everyday essentials are always on my shopping list. Olive oil and flour are two of these items that I always seem to need. Walmart sells a 17-ounce bulk-buy bottle of the store's private-label Great Value EVOO for $5.97. In comparison, Dollar Tree charges $3.75 for 8.45 ounces of Bertolli Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

Even though the dollar store seems like the less expensive option, when you break down the price per unit, Walmart wins at $0.35 per ounce versus $0.44 per ounce. The same is true for all-purpose flour.

Walmart's five-pound bag of Great Value All-Purpose Flour costs $2.38 ($0.48 per pound), while Dollar Tree's two-pound size from Nancy Jane costs $1.50 ($0.75 per pound).

Frozen food

Winner: Dollar Tree

Frozen meals, vegetables, sides, and sweet treats are cost-friendly and convenient alternatives to cooking from scratch. And that's why I stock my freezer with staples such as ready-to-heat-and-eat stir-fry mix.

I nabbed a 20-ounce bag of Great Value Deluxe Stir Fry Mixed Vegetables (broccoli, green beans, carrots, baby corn, and red peppers) for $2.72 at Walmart. Dollar Tree sells 12 ounces of TJ Farms' Stir Fry Blend (broccoli, carrots, snap peas, and yellow bell peppers) for $1.25.

What's the price per ounce difference between the two frozen food finds? Walmart's bulk buy costs more ($0.14 per ounce) than Dollar Tree's smaller quantity ($0.10 per ounce).

Canned staples

Winner: Walmart

Where can you find the best deals on canned goods? I shopped at both of these stores for two of my favorites: sweet corn and chick peas. Walmart sells a 15.25-ounce can of generic Great Value Golden Sweet Whole Kernel Corn for $0.82, while Dollar Tree charges $1.50 for the same quantity from Del Monte.

Like corn, chick peas were also cheaper at Walmart. The superstore's exclusive Great Value brand costs $0.92, versus $1.50 for Goya Chick Peas at the dollar retailer. If you don't need a fancy label or well-known name, the generic can save you $0.58 per can.

Desserts

Winner: Dollar Tree

Indulgence doesn't have to equal splurge. I've got a sweet tooth, and both Walmart and Dollar Tree have plenty of deals on delicious desserts. While the prices at Dollar Tree are usually lower than what I could pay at Walmart, the superstore has a superior selection of freshly baked treats and gourmet goodies.

But if you're only looking for the best price, here's what I found. A 25-ounce pack of Great Value Vanilla Creme Flavor Sandwich Cookies costs $2.78 at Walmart ($0.11 per ounce). The 16-ounce size of a similar selection from Lil Dutch Maid sells for $1.25 at Dollar Tree ($0.08 per ounce).

On a purely cost per quantity level, I'll give Dollar Tree the win. But if you're searching for something more special than pre-packaged sweets, Walmart is the better option.

Salty snacks

Winner: Walmart

Salty snacks aren't exactly essential. But that doesn't stop me from shopping for chips, peanuts, and more at these stores — especially when I can get an eight-ounce bag of Great Value Original Potato Chips for $1.77 from Walmart.

I couldn't find a generic equivalent at Dollar Tree. Instead, I had to pay $1.25 for a much smaller two-ounce bag of Cape Cod Kettle Cooked Potato Chips.

Walmart's bulk-buy 34.5-ounce container of Great Value Dry Roasted and Sea Salt peanuts is another "great value" for $5.12. Even though Dollar Tree only charges $1.25 for American Valley's Salted Roasted Peanuts, the brand-name buy is a much smaller size (five ounces). At that price, I would have paid over $8 to get Walmart's quantity.

Beverages

Winner: Walmart

Bottled water and coffee don't have to break the bank. Walmart charges $3.68 for a 24-pack of 16.9-ounce bottles from its Great Value brand. Dollar Tree sells smaller six-packs from Crystal Geyser for $1.25. In a price-per-bottle showdown, the superstore wins at $0.15 versus $0.21.

Coffee is an affordable item at both stores. But again, Walmart offers a bulk buy bargain that Dollar Tree can't compete with. A 100-count of Great Value 100% Arabica Donut Shop cups costs $33.47 ($0.33 per piece). Dollar Tree sells a 12-pack of Hills Bros. Gourmet K-Cups for $5 ($0.42 per piece).

Bottom line

So there you have it. Walmart is the clear winner in this superstore-versus-dollar-store battle. In most categories, Dollar Tree just can't compete with Walmart's availability of more affordable generic alternatives.

Keep in mind that even though I saved more at Walmart on these items, Dollar Tree still has a bounty of bargains on items in almost every aisle of the store.

Are you struggling to keep your budget on track? You aren't alone. There are ways even smart people waste money. Here's an easy-to-follow hint to wrangle your spending: Don't pay extra for a fancy label and catchy tagline. Swap name brands for generic store exclusives. The package looks different, but the product is often almost the same.

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