Aldi vs Coles: Is Aldi Actually Cheaper? Real Basket Data
Discover whether Aldi is genuinely cheaper than Coles in Australia. Real CHOICE survey data, basket breakdowns, and practical split-shop strategies.
Yes — Aldi is cheaper than Coles for a standard grocery basket. The latest CHOICE survey (May 2026) found the same 17 everyday items cost $75.98 at Aldi versus $90.90 at Coles — a saving of $14.92, or about 16%. Savings are largest on dairy, pantry staples, and bread. The trade-off is Aldi's smaller range (~1,500 SKUs vs Coles' 30,000+), which means most households still top up at Coles for specific brands or items Aldi doesn't carry.
Picture this: you're at the checkout at Coles, watching the total climb past $200 for what feels like a modest week's shop. Your neighbour swears she does the same shop at Aldi for $160. Is she right, or is she just buying different stuff?
The short answer is yes — Aldi is genuinely cheaper for a standard grocery basket. The latest CHOICE survey (May 2026) found that the same 17 everyday items cost $75.98 at Aldi versus $90.90 at Coles, a saving of $14.92, or around 16%. But the full story is a bit more nuanced than that, and knowing the nuances is where the real savings are.
The Headline Numbers
The CHOICE basket comparison is the most-cited benchmark for supermarket prices in Australia, and for good reason — it uses consistent, comparable items across all major chains.
Here's how the three main players stacked up:
Aldi was cheaper than both Coles and Woolworths by roughly the same margin — and notably, Coles and Woolworths were almost identical to each other (within $1). That "fake competition" between the two big chains is a real pattern that frustrated shoppers have noticed for years.
Why Is Aldi So Much Cheaper?
Aldi's pricing model is fundamentally different from Coles and Woolworths. Rather than stocking hundreds of brands competing against each other, Aldi carries about 1,500 product lines — mostly their own labels — compared to 30,000+ at a typical Coles or Woolworths.
That lean approach cuts costs at every step: fewer suppliers to negotiate with, less shelf space wasted on brand competition, simpler store layouts, and smaller store footprints. You pay for the food, not the complexity around it.
The trade-off is real though. If you have a strong preference for a specific brand — Vegemite, a particular pasta sauce, your go-to cereal — there's a reasonable chance Aldi doesn't stock it. Aldi has a store-brand version of almost everything, but it's not always the same product.
When Coles Actually Beats Aldi
Here's where the "Aldi is always cheapest" narrative gets tested: Coles and Woolworths run heavy promotional cycles with half-price deals on rotating items. When a name-brand item you regularly buy hits 50% off at Coles, it's almost always cheaper than Aldi's everyday price on their equivalent store brand.
The smart move is to know your staples. If you always buy the same coffee, same laundry detergent, same breakfast cereal, watch for those items in the Coles or Woolworths weekly catalogue. Stock up when they're half-price, then fill the rest of your basket at Aldi.
A few categories where Coles' specials regularly undercut Aldi:
- Packaged coffee and tea (when on half-price sale)
- Branded breakfast cereals
- Household cleaning products
- Personal care (shampoo, body wash, etc.)
Aldi's categories that are almost always cheapest regardless:
- Dairy (milk, cheese, yoghurt)
- Bread and baked goods
- Pantry basics (flour, sugar, pasta, rice)
- Frozen vegetables and frozen meals
- Fresh produce (though quality can vary more than at Coles)
What About Fresh Produce Quality?
This is the most common concern about Aldi, and it's partly justified. A June 2025 CHOICE test found Coles generally performed better on produce freshness — Aldi's strawberries, in particular, didn't last as long after purchase. For families who do one big weekly shop and expect fruit to last through to the following weekend, this can be a real practical difference.
That said, quality varies by store location and how recently the stock was delivered. Many Aldi regulars report no issues at all. It's worth experimenting with your local store rather than writing off Aldi's fresh section entirely.
The Split-Shop Strategy
The smartest approach for most Australian households isn't choosing between Aldi and Coles — it's using both deliberately.
A typical split-shop looks like this:
Buy at Aldi:
- All dairy (milk, cheese, butter, yoghurt)
- Bread and breakfast items
- Frozen veg, frozen meals
- Pantry staples (oil, pasta, rice, tinned tomatoes)
- Cleaning and laundry products
Buy at Coles or Woolworths:
- Specific name brands you won't substitute
- Fresh produce if you have quality concerns
- Items currently on deep half-price sale
If you save 16% overall on a $200 weekly shop by going to Aldi for the bulk, you're saving roughly $32 a week — around $1,650 a year. Even accounting for the occasional split trip, the maths works out significantly in favour of including Aldi in your routine.
For anyone managing a big household budget, comparing prices across all three supermarkets with Grocero takes the guesswork out of when to split-shop and where to find the best deal on your specific list.
Loyalty Programs: Do They Close the Gap?
Both Coles (Flybuys) and Woolworths (Everyday Rewards) offer loyalty programs, and Aldi has none. This is worth factoring in, but it rarely closes the 16% price gap by itself.
Regular Coles and Woolworths shoppers do get genuine value from loyalty programs — fuel discounts, member-only pricing, and occasional bonus points that convert to cash. Heavy users who track their points carefully can save a meaningful amount annually. But even with loyalty benefits, the base price difference on everyday items means Aldi typically still wins on total basket cost for shoppers who prioritise low prices over brand loyalty.
The ACCC Factor
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has been scrutinising Coles and Woolworths pricing practices, particularly "fake" half-price deals where items were briefly marked up before being discounted. This is worth knowing: some of the "specials" at Coles aren't as impressive as they look.
Long-term, the ACCC's focus on pricing transparency may push Coles and Woolworths toward more honest everyday pricing. Whether that closes the gap with Aldi or just makes the comparison easier to make is still to be seen. For now, the ~16% basket advantage for Aldi on everyday items holds.
Unit Pricing: The Most Honest Comparison
One thing that regularly catches shoppers out is pack sizes. A coffee jar might look cheaper on the shelf at Coles, but if it's 200g versus Aldi's 250g version, the cost per 100g might actually be higher. Always check the unit price label on the shelf (the small price per 100g or per litre figure) — it's the only truly honest comparison.
This is especially true for items like:
- Nuts and dried fruit (huge size variation between brands)
- Cheese (block sizes vary significantly)
- Cleaning products (concentrations differ)
- Breakfast cereals (box sizes seem standardised but aren't)
For a broader look at how all three supermarkets compare on basket totals and category pricing, the Aldi vs Coles vs Woolworths full comparison breaks it down in more detail. And if you're wondering how Aldi stacks up in the wider picture of Australia's cheapest supermarket options, our cheapest supermarket guide covers the full landscape including IGA and specialty stores.
The Bottom Line
Aldi is genuinely cheaper — about 16% cheaper for a standard basket, which translates to real money over a year. The catch is that you'll likely need a split shop for certain brands and categories, and fresh produce quality requires a bit more attention than at Coles.
The most cost-effective approach for most Australians: do your main shop at Aldi for staples and store-brand items, then pop into Coles or Woolworths for specific name brands and to pick up whatever's on a genuine half-price deal that week.
Want to see exactly where you'd save on your specific shopping list? Check it on Grocero — it compares real-time prices across Coles, Woolworths, and Aldi so you can build the cheapest basket without the guesswork.
Common Questions
Is Aldi cheaper than Coles for everything?
Not everything. Aldi is cheaper on average — about 16% on a standard basket — but Coles' half-price specials on certain items can undercut Aldi's everyday price. Name-brand coffee, cereal, and personal care products are the most common categories where a Coles sale beats Aldi's store-brand equivalent.
How much can I actually save by switching to Aldi?
On a $200 weekly shop, the 16% difference works out to about $32 a week, or roughly $1,650 a year. In practice, most people do a mix of Aldi and Coles rather than a full switch, so savings vary — but even shopping 70% at Aldi saves meaningfully.
Does Aldi have the same products as Coles?
No. Aldi stocks around 1,500 product lines (mostly store brands) versus 30,000+ at Coles. If you're attached to specific national brands — particular sauces, coffees, or packaged goods — Aldi probably doesn't have them. Most everyday staples have a solid Aldi equivalent, though.
Is Aldi fresh produce as good as Coles?
It varies by store and season. CHOICE testing found Coles produces generally lasted longer after purchase. Many Aldi regulars have no complaints, but if produce longevity matters for your weekly shop, it's worth testing your local Aldi rather than assuming it'll match Coles quality.
What about comparing unit prices?
Unit prices (per 100g or per litre) are the most honest comparison, especially since pack sizes differ across stores. Always check the small unit price label on the shelf rather than just comparing ticket prices.