A new price comparison survey in Denver is making headlines for showing which grocery stores are giving consumers the best value on everyday items. The survey analyzed prices of nine essential food staples—milk, eggs, bread, rice, chicken, apples, cheese, cereal, and butter—at four major grocery chains in the Denver metropolitan area: King Soopers, Safeway, Trader Joe’s, and Walmart.
Conducted by a local consumer watchdog group, the results revealed significant variations in pricing for the same items, highlighting how store selection could impact household budgets across the region.
According to 5280 Magazine’s consumer report, grocery prices in Denver have risen consistently over the past three years, making comparison shopping more important than ever.
The survey, completed in May 2025, focused on the following nine staple items:
1 gallon of whole milk
1 dozen large eggs
1 loaf of whole wheat bread
1 pound of long grain white rice
1 pound of boneless skinless chicken breast
1 pound of red apples
1 pound of cheddar cheese
1 box of corn flakes cereal
1 stick of unsalted butter
Each product was priced under normal conditions (non-sale, store-brand where available) at the same time of day and week to ensure fair comparison.
Here is the average total cost for all nine items at each store:
Walmart – $23.78
King Soopers – $26.49
Trader Joe’s – $27.12
Safeway – $29.85
Walmart emerged as the cheapest overall, while Safeway had the highest prices across most items.
More details from the comparison are available on Denver7’s local business section.
Milk was cheapest at Walmart ($2.65) and highest at Safeway ($3.49)
Eggs varied widely—$1.99 at Trader Joe’s vs. $3.25 at Safeway
Chicken was most affordable at King Soopers ($3.29/lb) and most expensive at Trader Joe’s ($4.25/lb)
Cereal pricing showed a major gap: Walmart ($2.35) vs. Safeway ($3.99)
For families buying these staples weekly, this could result in over $300 in annual savings just by switching grocery stores.
Many Denver residents are now rethinking their go-to store based on this data. According to a recent Gallup poll, 62% of shoppers have started comparing prices more actively post-pandemic, and Denver is no exception.
“I always assumed Trader Joe’s was cheaper because of their store brands,” said Emily Rawlins, a teacher in the Capitol Hill neighborhood. “But after seeing this report, I’m considering shifting to Walmart for my weekly essentials.”
While cost is king for many, others are still willing to pay a premium for quality or convenience. Trader Joe’s, for example, scored high in consumer satisfaction surveys for product freshness and unique items.
King Soopers and Safeway, although more expensive in this comparison, offer more loyalty program rewards, fuel points, and larger selections. That might justify higher prices for some shoppers.
Walmart, on the other hand, stood out for aggressively maintaining lower prices on nearly all items. Still, some shoppers report longer wait times, crowded aisles, and fewer organic choices.
Read more on Colorado Public Radio’s coverage of food inflation.
Grocery experts recommend a multi-store strategy: buy staple items at the cheapest store (like Walmart), but shop at Trader Joe’s or Safeway for specialty or organic products. They also encourage consumers to:
Use digital coupons and loyalty apps
Track prices weekly using budgeting tools
Avoid impulse buying, especially in premium stores
“Even saving $1 per item can add up quickly over time,” said financial analyst Jordan Reeves. “Most people underestimate the impact of small savings across repeated purchases.”
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, food prices in the Mountain West region rose by 5.2% year-over-year in early 2025. Colorado’s growth rate in grocery costs is slightly higher than the national average.
Local economists point to transportation, labor shortages, and increased demand for healthy/organic options as key reasons for the price hike.
This makes price comparison tools and reports even more critical for budgeting families, students, and seniors living on fixed incomes.
You can find more local price-tracking tools at Mile High on the Cheap.
For Denver-area consumers, this survey is a wake-up call. The right grocery store choice could save hundreds of dollars per year without compromising on quality if done wisely.
Here’s a quick recap:
Walmart is cheapest for overall essentials
Safeway is priciest, but has wider variety and loyalty points
Trader Joe’s offers unique products, but at a premium
King Soopers balances affordability with selection
Shoppers can use this insight to build smarter grocery strategies and stretch their budgets in the face of inflation.
Also Read – June 5–8: Packed Weekend in Hoboken & Jersey City
Standing tall against the shimmering waters of Lake Michigan, Chicago’s skyline is more than a…
Chicago’s Riverwalk is more than just a scenic stretch of waterfront—it’s a celebration of the…
New York City is vast and ever-changing, but no borough captures its creative pulse quite…
When Resorts World Las Vegas opened its doors in 2021, it was billed as a…
Las Vegas may be known for over-the-top luxury, but it also offers something wonderfully unexpected—world-famous…
Las Vegas has always been synonymous with extravagance, but in 2025, the city’s most elite…