Grocery Price Showdown: Grocery Outlet vs Safeway
Today we are going to do a price comparison of prices between Grocery Outlet and Safeway. We will be using a real grocery list for a family of four, so this should be very realistic.
Safeway is a major grocery retailer and part of the Albertsons company. Grocery Outlet is a discount grocery retailer so we will see if this helps keep their prices lower.
Key Takeaways
- Safeway had a good amount of items on sale this week that we needed.
- Grocery Outlet did not carry 6 of the items we needed.
- Technically Grocery Outlet was cheaper but they didn’t have all the items, so really Safeway won!
Meal Plan and Grocery List
This is our $100 or less Walmart meal plan grocery list for this week (Week 18).
This meal plan was priced at the Walmart in Bellevue, Washington with a total of $95.98. Let’s see how Grocery Outlet and Safeway compare in their prices.
Is Grocery Outlet Cheaper than Safeway?
Grocery Outlet used to have really great prices, so I’m excited to see how they do this week. Safeway is very hit or miss on prices, so how will they do?
| Ingredient | Grocery Outlet Price | Safeway Price |
| Apples (3lbs) | $4.47 | $4.99 |
| Lettuce | $1.49 (12oz bag) | $2.79 |
| Cucumber | $0.99 | $1.29 |
| Tomatoes (x2) | $1.69 | $2.99 |
| Lime (x1) | $0.29 | $0.67 *on sale* |
| Garlic (1 head) | $2.29 (5ct) | $0.79 |
| Yellow Squash (x1) | did not have | $1.33 |
| Green Bell Pepper (x1) | did not have | $1.25 *on sale* |
| Clementines (3lb) | $2.89 (2lb) | $3.00 *on sale* |
| Potatoes (5lb) | $3.99 (10lbs) | $2.49 |
| Zucchini (x1) | did not have | $1.00 |
| Cabbage (1 head) | $1.98 | $2.98 |
| Carrots (1lb) | $1.49 | $1.49 |
| Celery (1 bunch) | did not have | $2.79 |
| Chicken Breasts (5lbs) | $13.78 | $15.98 *on sale* |
| Breakfast Sausage (1lb) | $3.99 | $3.99 |
| Pre-Cooked Bacon (2.5oz) | $5.19 | $4.99 |
| Turkey Lunchmeat (1lb) | $6.89 | $6.49 *on sale* |
| Ground Beef (1lb) | $5.69 | $8.99 |
| Smoked Sausage (13oz) | $3.49 | $3.99 *on sale* |
| Pancake Mix (32oz) | $3.49 | $3.99 |
| Ranch Dressing | did not have | $3.49 |
| White Rice (1lb) | $3.99 (5lb) | $3.49 (2lb) |
| Chicken (5 oz can) | $8.89 (2×12.5oz cans) | $2.99 |
| Macaroni Noodles (1lb) | $1.19 | $1.99 |
| Hamburger Buns (8ct) | $2.29 | $1.29 |
| Enchilada Sauce (28oz can) | $5.07 (3 x 10.5ozcans) | $4.49 |
| Pita Bread (4-5ct) | $2.69 | $3.49 |
| BBQ Sauce | $4.89 | $2.49 |
| Sandwich Bread | $3.69 | $1.29 |
| Penne Pasta (1lb) | $1.19 | $1.99 |
| Mushrooms (6.5oz can) | $1.49 | $1.67 *on sale* |
| Red Kidney Beans (15.5oz) | $1.19 | $1.67 *on sale* |
| White Kidney Beans (15.5oz) | did not carry | $1.29 |
| Chicken Broth (14.5oz can) | $1.19 | $1.49 |
| Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix | $3.99 | $2.79 |
| Frozen Corn (12oz bag) | $1.49 (16oz) | $1.25 *on sale* |
| Frozen Peas (12oz bag) | $1.49 (16oz) | $1.25 *on sale* |
| Milk (half gallon) | $3.49 | $2.79 |
| Eggs (12ct) | $3.49 | $3.69 |
| Cheddar Cheese (1lb) | $4.59 | $4.99 |
| Colby Cheddar (8oz) | $2.69 | $2.50 |
| Parmesan Cheese (6oz) | $2.89 | $2.50 |
| Total: | $125.97 | $133.15 |
Grocery Outlet did come out cheaper but that was because they didn’t have 6 of the items we needed this week.
Food for Thought
Since Grocery Outlet didn’t have all the items, we would have to go to both stores. Let’s see if this could potentially save us some money!
If we only buy the items at each store that are in stock and the cheapest, our total would have been $117.78.
That potentially would have saved us $8.19 (about 6%). I would say it would be better to go to both places to get the best prices overall and get all the needed items.
