The Most Expensive Grocery Store Chains in the U.S.

Sticker shock at the grocery store is all too common nowadays. Since the pandemic pushed grocery prices to stunning new highs, paying upwards of $10 for a dozen eggs doesn’t seem all that abnormal now—and that’s just the average price at your standard grocery store. When it comes to the world of “luxury” grocery stores, price inflation takes on a whole new meaning.

We’ve all been there: wandering around an unfamiliar neighborhood, stopping into the nearest grocer to pick up a few staples. The task should be easy (and inexpensive) enough. After all, how much could a few apples, a bottle of orange juice, and some avocados cost you? Apparently, quite a lot. The store you’ve stumbled into is something called The Fresh Market, and you gawk when the self-checkout shows a total nearing $20.

If you try to keep a tight hold on your wallet (which, let’s be real, we all do most of the time), it would be wise to brush up on some general grocery store knowledge, especially before you stroll absentmindedly into a new one. The following grocery stores boast some of the highest prices in the U.S.—and while we’d never tell you to avoid them completely, we at least want you to have all the information.

Grocery Stores With the Highest Prices

Whole Foods

Whole Foods is perhaps the most obvious—and most widespread—pricey grocery chain, often jokingly referred to as “Whole Paycheck” by shoppers. Say you’re in the mood for a ribeye steak: at Whole Foods, it could cost up to $6 more per pound than at your local Safeway or Kroger. Prices have become more competitive since Amazon acquired the company, but depending on which other grocery stores are nearby, Whole Foods may still be one of the more expensive options.

Core

Obviously, Erewhon had to make it on this list. The Los Angeles-based grocery chain is famous for its exorbitant prices on seemingly average products, including a chocolate-covered strawberry (yes, a single strawberry) that retailed for a stunning $19. A 6-ounce bag of shredded cheese will set you back nearly $7, and you’ll be hard pressed to find a dozen eggs for under $10 (in fact, you can find them for as much as $17!).

The Fresh Market

The Fresh Market, primarily an East Coast chain, certainly isn’t known for having low prices. Take, for example, olive oil from California Olive Ranch. At this grocer, a bottle runs about $1.66 per ounce, while the same product costs less than half that—just 55 cents per ounce—at Walmart.

Gelson’s Markets

Another SoCal grocery chain, Gelson’s Markets, has famously higher prices on many household staples. A block of Tillamook Extra Sharp Cheddar, for example, will set you back 81 cents per ounce (unless you catch it on sale). The same exact cheese at Walmart, on the other hand, costs less than half, at 39 cents per ounce.

Bristol Farms

Just when you think we’ve covered all the outrageously expensive LA chains, another one emerges from the woodwork. This time, it’s Bristol Farms. If all you’re after are some simple cuts of chicken breast, you may want to avoid this grocer, which carries the staple for no less than $9 per pound (and sometimes far more). A comparable product is a couple dollars cheaper at Trader Joe’s, and can cost less than half that much if bought from Walmart.

Wegmans

On the other side of the country, East Coast-based Wegmans has a cult following among its fans—but its prices may not be so worthy of praise. Want some organic strawberries? Skip Wegmans, where they cost at least 28 cents per ounce. If you head to Walmart instead, you’ll only pay around 18 cents per ounce.

Metropolitan Market

One Pacific Northwest-based chain, Metropolitan Market, is best shopped at when you have some cash burning a hole in your wallet. Let’s look at Tillamook cheese prices again—at this higher-end store, the cheese costs around 70 cents per ounce, while the same product goes for 44 cents per ounce at Walmart.

Kings Food Markets

Another East Coast chain—billed as an “upscale gourmet food market”—Kings Food Markets is known for steep prices, especially on produce. It might be one to skip if you’re just looking for basic veggies, like the humble bell pepper. At Kings, a single pepper sells for between $1.50 and $2.50. At a local Walmart, though, $1.50 is the top of the price range.

Citarella

In the market for fresh fish in the New York City area? If you’ve got extra money to spend, you could at least scope out Citarella’s gourmet market. Sure, you get premium quality, but at a premium price. Two cold water lobster tails will set you back a stunning $52.99 at Citarella, as compared to $15 at Kroger.

Eataly

Italian grocer Eataly is known for its top-tier pastas—with price tags to match—but some of its other grocery items might also cause a double take. Craving cherry tomatoes for a fresh summer salad? At Eataly, nine ounces of cherry tomatoes on the vine will set you back $5.49. Not too bad—until you realize that at Kroger and similar stores, you can get 12 ounces of the same tomatoes for the same price or less.

Harris Teeter

Consumers living on the lower half of the East Coast are probably familiar with Harris Teeter and its occasionally steep prices. This isn’t a store to casually stop in, especially if you’re after fresh produce. A 5-ounce package of Simple Truth Organic baby spinach is currently priced at $4.79, while the same exact product is $3.29 at Kroger.

New Seasons

New Seasons is certainly a fresh, inviting name—and its prices reflect that. Since it’s the only grocery store within walking distance from me, I shop there often when I need something quickly—and I almost always regret it. Take bacon, for example—a regular purchase of mine. I rarely pay less than $8 for an 8-ounce package at New Seasons. But if I make the trip to another store like Kroger or Walmart (or even taste-test winner Aldi), I can get a similar product for several dollars less.