Family Dollar Vs Dollar Tree Vs Dollar General: The Chain Dollar Store With The Cheapest Food In 2026

Pinching pennies at the supermarket seems to be a common thread these days, and sometimes that means shopping at stores that aren't normally in someone's wheelhouse. Even if you wanted to buy a membership and spend what could amount to hours grocery shopping to get deals on affordable Kirkland Signature products at Costco, the big-box warehouse often can't hold a candle to the low prices on food at dollar stores. There are some things folks typically can't find at these thrifty little gems (fresh meat, for example), but for plenty of other routine household food items, dollar store prices are hard to beat.

Of course, we all know by now that dollar stores charge more than a buck for most products. So between the three titans of the industry — Family Dollar, Dollar Tree, and Dollar General — where are the cheapest deals? To find out, we've put together a general grocery list to see which company lets shoppers walk out with more cash in their pocket.

Obviously, everyone has different items on their grocery list. This is meant to represent an average shopping list with products that are commonly bought when folks go to the supermarket. There are pantry staples, snacks, sweet treats, and some convenience food by way of frozen pizza. This list compiles the closest comparable items available since the stores don't always carry the same brands or products as each other. All the listed prices reflect retailers in the same area of western Colorado, but it's worth noting that price and availability will vary by location.

• Chestnut Hill Spaghetti, 16 oz.: $1.25
• Prairie Farms Whole, Vitamin D milk, gallon: $4.30
• Blue Ribbon Vanilla Ice Cream, 48 ounces: $4.20
• Chestnut Hill Long Grain Rice, 80 ounces: $3.65
• Chestnut Hill Creamy Peanut Butter, 16 ounces: $2.40
• Ole Mexican Foods Large Burrito Flour Tortillas, 8 count: $3.50
• Chestnut Hill Honey Nut-O's, 12.25 ounces: $2.95
• Sunny D Tangy Original, 40 ounces: $1.50
• Red Baron Classic Crust Frozen Pepperoni Pizza, 20.6 ounces: $5.95
• Lay's Classic Potato Chips, 8 ounces: $3.75
• Chestnut Hill Black Beans, 15 ounces: $1.40
• Chestnut Hill Fruit Cocktail, 15.25 ounces: $2.10
• Chestnut Hill French Style Green Beans, 14.5 ounces: $0.90
• Nature's Own 100% Whole Wheat Bread, 20 ounces: $4.25
• Total: $42.10

The bread is one item that sticks out as being somewhat pricey compared to the other stores in question. Ice cream, on the other hand, is a cheap deal if you stick with Blue Ribbon (Breyers and Ben & Jerry's ice cream flavors are sold at a premium). These are some of the most affordable options available, but Family Dollar also has an ample selection of different brands to choose from if you want to pay a little extra for a name you trust. Still, $42 and change for 14 grocery staples is a pretty sweet bargain.

• Columbia Thin Spaghetti, 20 ounces: $1.50
• Marcel's Modern Pantry Whole Milk, 32 ounces: $1.25
• Founders Street Vanilla Bean Ice Cream, 14 ounces: $1.50
• Nufield's Long Grain Parboiled Rice, 20 ounces: $1.00
• Nature's House Creamy Peanut Butter, 10 ounces: $1.50
• Del Barrio Medium Flour Tortillas, 10 count: $1.50
• GF Brands Honey Nuts Toasted Oats, 10 ounces: $1.50
• Sunny D Tangy Original Citrus Punch, 40 ounces: $1.25
• Red Baron Classic Crust Frozen Pepperoni Pizza, 20.6 ounces: $5.00
• Home Style Select Original Potato Chips, 5 ounces: $1.25
• Goya Black Beans, 15.5 ounces: $1.50
• Island Choice Diced Fruit Cocktail, 15 ounces: $1.50
• Green Giant Mixed Vegetable Blend, 15 ounces: $1.50
• Founders Street Sliced Whole Wheat Bread, 16 ounces: $1.50
• Total: $23.25

Okay, so many of Dollar Tree's prices should be marked with an asterisk. They seem cheap at first glance, but when you consider that you're often getting less food than its competitors offer, it's actually more expensive. Milk is a great example. Family Dollar and Dollar General (spoiler alert) sell gallons, whereas the largest size customers can get at Dollar Tree is a 32-ounce container. To equal a gallon, you would need to buy four, making the total for a gallon of milk $5. Ice cream, rice, peanut butter, and tortillas are all likewise smaller portions, so you're just paying for less food. That said, some items are an absolute steal. Bread, cereal, and frozen pizza stand out as terrific deals.

• Clover Valley Spaghetti, 16 ounces: $1.00
• Clover Valley Whole Milk, gallon: $4.10
• Breyers Vanilla Ice Cream, 48 ounces: $5.50
• Clover Valley Long Grain White Rice, 80 ounces: $3.35
• Clover Valley Creamy Peanut Butter, 16 ounces: $2.25
• Ole Mexican Foods Large Burrito Tortillas, 8 count: $3.45
• Clover Valley Honey Nut Toasted Oats, 12.25 ounces: $2.25
• Sunny D Tangy Original, 40 ounces: $1.25
• Red Baron Classic Crust Frozen Pepperoni Pizza, 20.6 ounces: $5.95
• Lay's Classic Potato Chips, 8 ounces: $3.50
• Clover Valley Black Beans, 15 ounces: $1.35
• Clover Valley Fruit Cocktail, 15 ounces: $2.25
• Clover Valley Canned Cut Green Beans, 14.5 ounces: $0.85
• Sara Lee 100% Whole Wheat Bread, 20 ounces: $3.50
• Total: $40.55

Dollar General's prices are, on average, a few cents less than what folks would pay at Family Dollar. It might not seem like much, but money saved is never a bad thing. Ice cream choices are limited to several name brands, such as multiple flavors of Häagen-Dazs and Ben & Jerry's, so you'll pay a little extra for your sweet tooth fix. But aside from that nothing in particular sticks out as overly expensive.

Just reading the total bill, Dollar Tree is a clear winner as it's nearly half as expensive as its competitors, but that doesn't tell the whole story. As previously mentioned, many items at Dollar Tree are significantly smaller than the other two retailers. When you adjust the total bill to reflect buying the same amount of food at each location, the price is similar (and possibly more) to what the other stores charge.

Dollar Tree's selection overall is also lacking compared to the competition. If I had to declare an overall winner between the three, it's close but my money's on Dollar General. Slightly lower prices than Family Dollar, comparable choices, and I can walk out with enough groceries that I don't have to make a return trip for a while like I would if buying the "cheaper" products at Dollar Tree.