When money is tight, the question isn’t what sounds good. It’s what will feed everyone for the least. The cheapest foods to buy are a short list of plain, filling staples that cost very little per serving once you cook them yourself.
We priced the cheapest ones at Walmart and ALDI, worked out the cost per serving and how many calories each one gives you for a dollar, and put them in order. Use this list to build a grocery trip that stretches as far as possible.
Prices are from Walmart’s and ALDI’s websites for stores in Columbus, Ohio, checked in October 2026. Ohio’s grocery prices are within about 1% of the national average, so you may pay more or less depending on where you live, and prices change often. Here’s how we price our recipes.
The Cheapest Foods to Buy, With Prices
Each price is the lower of the two stores. A serving is a typical amount for one person at one meal.
Grains and Starches
| Food | Price | Per serving |
|---|---|---|
| Long-grain rice (5 pounds) | $3.52 at Walmart | About 7¢ (¼ cup dry) |
| Flour (5 pounds) | $1.95 at ALDI | About 11¢ a cup |
| Old-fashioned oats (42 ounces) | $3.99 at ALDI | About 13¢ (½ cup dry) |
| Spaghetti or penne (1 pound) | $1.24 at Walmart | About 16¢ (2 ounces dry) |
| Bread (1 loaf) | $1.45 at ALDI | About 15¢ (2 slices) |
| Flour tortillas (10 count) | $1.95 at ALDI | About 20¢ each |
| Ramen noodles | $0.32 a pack at ALDI (12-pack) | About 32¢ a pack |
| Russet potatoes (5 pounds) | $3.69 at ALDI | About 37¢ (one medium potato) |
Proteins
| Food | Price | Per serving |
|---|---|---|
| Peanut butter (16 ounces) | $1.49 at ALDI | About 11¢ (2 tablespoons) |
| Dried lentils (1 pound) | $1.92 at Walmart | About 21¢ (¼ cup dry) |
| Canned black beans (15 ounces) | $0.85 at ALDI | About 24¢ (½ cup) |
| Large eggs (1 dozen) | $1.66 at ALDI | About 28¢ (2 eggs) |
| Chicken drumsticks | $0.89 a pound at ALDI | About 22¢ (4 ounces raw) |
| Ground turkey (1 pound) | $1.98 at Walmart | About 50¢ (4 ounces) |
Produce That Keeps
| Food | Price | Per serving |
|---|---|---|
| Bananas | $0.17 each at Walmart | 17¢ each |
| Carrots (2 pounds) | $1.99 at ALDI | About 17¢ a carrot |
| Apples (3-pound bag) | $1.99 at ALDI | About 22¢ an apple |
| Frozen mixed vegetables (12 ounces) | $0.98 at either store | About 29¢ (¾ cup) |
| Green cabbage | $2.68 a head at Walmart | About 34¢ (⅛ head) |
| Yellow onions (3 pounds) | $2.39 at ALDI | About 40¢ (½ pound) |
| Diced tomatoes (14.5-ounce can) | $0.96 at either store | About 24¢ (¼ can) |
Dairy
| Food | Price | Per serving |
|---|---|---|
| Milk (1 gallon) | $2.43 at either store | About 15¢ a cup |
| Shredded cheddar (16 ounces) | $3.29 at ALDI | About 21¢ (¼ cup) |
| Plain Greek yogurt (32 ounces) | $2.97 at Walmart | About 56¢ (¾ cup) |
Prices at the two stores were close on most of these. For a full side-by-side, see ALDI vs. Walmart: which is cheaper.
Most Calories for Your Money
When the goal is simply to keep everyone full, calories per dollar matters. These are the staples that give you the most food energy for each dollar you spend.
| Food | Calories per $1 | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Flour | About 3,800 | Bread, tortillas, pancakes |
| Vegetable oil | About 3,000 | Cooking, baking |
| White rice | About 2,300 | Every meal |
| Peanut butter | About 1,800 | Breakfast, lunch, snacks |
| Pasta | About 1,300 | Quick dinners |
| Ramen noodles | About 1,200 | Fast meals |
| Oats | About 1,100 | Breakfast, baking |
| Whole milk | About 1,000 | Breakfast, cooking |
| Dried lentils | About 850 | Soups, chili |
| Bananas | About 600 | Snacks, breakfast |
| Eggs | About 500 | Any meal |
| Potatoes | About 500 | Sides, soups, hash |
Calories are typical values from USDA nutrition data and standard Nutrition Facts labels, rounded, using the lower store price.
Calories aren’t everything. Flour, oil and sugar fill you up but don’t bring much else, so pair them with beans, eggs, lentils, peanut butter and vegetables. Those still cost very little and add protein, fiber and vitamins.
Foods That Look Cheap but Aren’t
- Single-serve packs. Snack bags, cups of oatmeal, yogurt cups and juice boxes cost much more per ounce than the big container.
- Boxed dinner kits. You’re paying extra for a seasoning packet. Rice, beans and your own spices make the same meal for less.
- Pre-cut produce. Diced onions, cut fruit and bagged salad cost more than whole vegetables and spoil faster.
- Deli meat and lunch kits. Per pound, they cost much more than eggs, beans or a pack of drumsticks.
- Name brands on basics. For rice, flour, canned tomatoes and oats, the store brand works the same way.
What to Make With Them
- 15 Cheap Meals When You’re Broke, each about $1 a serving or less
- What to Make With Rice, Beans and Canned Tomatoes
- One-Pot Vegetable Lentil Soup, about 80¢ a serving
- How to Cook Eggs 8 Ways and How to Cook Potatoes 7 Ways
- How to Feed a Family of 4 on $50 a Week, a full meal plan built on these staples
How to Spend Less on Every Trip
- Build meals around the cheapest base. Start with rice, pasta, potatoes or oats, then add a protein from the list and whatever vegetables are cheapest that week.
- Buy frozen vegetables. They’re cheap, keep for months and nothing goes to waste.
- Compare the unit price. The bigger bag is usually cheaper per pound, but only buy it if you’ll use it before it goes stale.
- Cook dried beans and lentils when you have time. They cost less per serving than canned, and lentils don’t need soaking.
- Keep a few staples on hand. Our list of 15 pantry staples covers what’s worth keeping in the cupboard.
Cheapest Food Questions
What is the cheapest food to live on?
Rice, beans, oats, potatoes, eggs and peanut butter. Together they give you starch, protein and fat for well under $1 a serving, and they keep for weeks or months.
What is the cheapest healthy food?
Dried lentils, canned beans, oats, eggs, frozen vegetables, carrots and cabbage. They cost very little and bring protein, fiber and vitamins.
What should I buy with my last $20?
Rice, a few cans of beans, a dozen eggs, a bag of potatoes or oats, onions, a bag of frozen vegetables and peanut butter. That’s enough for several days of simple meals. If you need more help, our food pantry recipes guide lists ways to find free food near you.
Is it cheaper to cook from scratch?
Almost always. A pot of rice and beans or lentil soup costs less than a dollar a serving, while boxed and frozen dinners usually cost more for the same amount of food. Our beginner’s guide to cooking from scratch is a good place to start.
This post shares general budgeting information, not personal financial advice.
