Target and Trader Joe’s are two popular destinations for groceries and household essentials, each with its own loyal following and signature store brands.
Some shoppers swear by one for unbeatable prices, while others lean toward the other for quality at a reasonable cost. Let's take a closer look at how Target and Trader Joe’s stack up when it comes to price to help you decide which retailer might be the more budget-friendly choice.
We did our best to find similar items and store-brand options, but there may be substitutes.
Disclaimer: Prices listed reflect Target and Trader Joe's online pricing at the time of writing. Actual prices may vary by location, inventory, and promotions.
Gluten free chocolate cookies
When it comes to gluten-free treats, chocolate cookies are often the first “safe bet” shoppers reach for.
At $5.19 for 7 ounces of cookies, Target offers the more expensive option. Trader Joe's cookies are $4.99, and you get 10 ounces.
Trader Joe's is known for exceptionally soft and delicious cookies. Getting three more ounces for less money sounds like a winning bet.
Milk chocolate covered pretzels
Milk chocolate-covered pretzels satisfy both sweet and salty cravings, blending sweet chocolate with a salty crunch. They’re easy to snack on by the handful and often feel more indulgent than a cookie, even in smaller portions.
Target offers regular-sized chocolate-covered pretzels for $3.89. Trader Joe's is priced at $4.29, and the pretzels are mini-sized. The key difference between the two is that Target offers 7 ounces, while Trader Joe's offers 12 ounces, making Trader Joe's the better value based on unit pricing.
The pretzels from Trader Joe's is one of our favorites. Place them on a snack charcuterie board, or grab a handful and enjoy.
Organic milk
It's always a good idea to keep milk in the fridge. Both options are organic, and Target is priced at $4.99. Trader Joe's is priced at $5.99 for half a gallon.
One five-star review for the Target brand said, "Tastes just as good as the name-brand organic milks and at a better price. It also doesn’t seem to spoil as fast as the other brands."
Gluten free mac & cheese
Gluten-free mac & cheese is a comfort food many of us rely on, especially when we want something quick and delicious. The first thing you'll notice between the two is a significant size difference.
Target Mac & Cheese is 20 ounces and priced at $3.99, while Trader Joe's is only 12 ounces for the same price. The one from Trader Joe's is gluten-free.
One review for the Target option said, "It's super cheesy and saucy, it uses cavatappi noodles and the flavor is fantastic."
Vanilla extract
Vanilla extract is one of those pantry staples where quality can quietly affect everything you bake. Flavor strength and price per ounce often separate a good value from an option that looks good on the shelf.
While both are vanilla extract, they differ in price. Target's pure vanilla extract costs $5.99, while Trader Joe's pure bourbon vanilla extract costs $9.99.
Either would be great for baking, but the Trader Joe's will have a distinct flavor.
Acai bowl
An acai bowl is often seen as a quick, feel-good option that doubles as breakfast or a snack. Once you look more closely, differences in portion size and topping can affect how filling it feels and whether it’s worth the price.
Both options are a single serving, but the one from Target has about 100 fewer calories and includes berries and a granola topping for $3.99.
Trader Joe's has berries, bananas, granola topping, and dried coconut. It's also larger at 10 ounces, while Target's is 6 ounces. Trader Joe's is also priced at $3.99.
Either of these would be great to keep in the freezer for a refreshing breakfast or snack.
Chocolate chips
Chocolate chips are a baking staple that many shoppers buy on autopilot. But slight differences in cocoa content, quality, and price per ounce can have a big impact on how they perform in cookies or in other desserts.
Coming in a 12-ounce bag, the Target brand is priced at $3.89. No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives are added.
Trader Joe's is also 12 ounces and priced at $3.99. Both have minimal ingredients.
You can't go wrong with a taste test between the two to see what you like best.
Ground coffee
Ground coffee is a daily essential for many households, and it’s often chosen out of habit. Flavor profile and cost per cup can vary widely, making it one of those staples where a closer comparison can really pay off.
Caramel-flavored coffee is popular right now, and Target has its store brand for $8.99 for 12 ounces.
Trader Joe's offers a dark ground roast in a 13-ounce bag for $6.99. If you don't mind the flavor, you can save money by going this route.
Dried mango
Dried mango is a quick and sweet snack that requires no effort. The biggest thing to look for in dried fruits is whether they contain any added sugar. Fruit is already naturally sweet, so adding extra sugar seems unnecessary.
The comparison between the two stores was similar. Both were 6 ounces, but Target adds sugar to its mangos, while Trader Joe's does not. Target is priced at $3.99, while Trader Joe's is lower at $2.99.
Macarons
Macarons are a dessert that feels a little special, even when they come from the freezer or shelf. You could use these to treat yourself after a long week.
Both stores offer 12 macarons per box, though the flavors vary. Although both include 12, Target offers 5.5 ounces for $6.49, while Trader Joe's offers 4.2 ounces for $5.99.
Sweet potatoes
Sweet potatoes are a great food item to have on hand. They can be steamed, baked, fried, and topped with all your favorite toppings.
Target is priced at $5.29 for a 3-lb bag, while Trader Joe's offers a 3-lb bag of organic sweet potatoes for $4.99.
Cinnamon buns
Sometimes it's nice to have an early-morning treat for a quick breakfast, ready and waiting. Target calls them cinnamon rolls, while Trader Joe's calls them cinnamon buns. Basically, the same concept, both topped with cream cheese frosting.
Target is at 14 ounces for $5.99, while Trader Joe's is at just over 13 ounces for the same price.
Lemons
Picking up fresh lemons opens up options. You can make homemade lemonade or squeeze fresh lemon juice on rice or other meals. Or, why not make homemade lemon curd?
Target offers a 2-lb bag for $4.39, while Trader Joe's is the same size, for $3.99.
Tofu
Are you participating in Veganuary or just looking for a way to swap out meat for another option? Tofu for the win.
Target has 14-ounce packs for $2.99, while Trader Joe's has a larger size, 19-ounce packs for only $2.49.
Cheddar cheese cracker cuts
Save yourself a little bit of prep time and buy the cheese already sliced. You can get a variety of flavors, but cheddar is one type of cheese that pairs well with many different foods.
Target has sliced white cheddar cheese for $3.19, while Trader Joe's has sharp cheddar cheese for $3.99. Both are 10-ounces with 30 slices of cheese.
Final verdict
Comparing two popular grocery stores and their similar products is always interesting.
Everyone has opinions about where the best deals are. Some shoppers value Target's convenience, while others are loyal to Trader Joe’s. But when you line up comparable items side by side, the difference isn’t always as big as you might expect.
In this comparison, the totals for Target and Trader Joe’s were very close, with only a slight difference. Neither store clearly ran away as the cheaper option, which shows how competitive their pricing can be on everyday items.
That’s where serving sizes come into play. When prices are relatively similar, it’s worth looking at how much you’re actually getting for your money. Always focus on the unit prices.
Beyond price and quantity, ingredients matter too. In several cases, Trader Joe’s products leaned toward simpler ingredient lists, while Target’s store-brand items focused on convenience and accessibility. For many shoppers, that balance between cost and ingredients ultimately matters more than a few cents either way.
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