You're Better Off Buying Groceries At Dollar Tree Instead Of Dollar General. Here's Why

Many people are looking for ways to save money nowadays, especially when it comes to routine expenses like food bills. Discount stores like Dollar Tree and Dollar General can be great places to get good groceries at a bargain, but which one is better? Both have decent discounts, but as far as your wallet is concerned, Dollar Tree comes out on top more often than not.

One reason Dollar Tree wins over Dollar General is because the latter isn't really a true "dollar store," meaning its costs will be higher. Also, Dollar General locations typically only have one aisle with a limited selection of one-dollar items, while Dollar Tree's food and goods are more universally affordable. That holds true even if its minimum cost increased to $1.25 per item in November 2021 and the chain debuted higher-cost items just a few years later. Still, its items are cheaper on average than similar products from Dollar General, including staples like spaghetti, pasta sauce, tortillas, and beans.

Of course, math is hardly that simple when grocery shopping is involved. Part of the reason why Dollar Tree groceries are so cheap is that its products can be smaller than average, so look closely when comparing items between stores. Examine the price per ounce to see which one has the better cost for the amount you're getting. Prices can also vary depending on your area, and specific locations won't always carry the same items, including unexpectedly fancy Dollar Tree ingredients like smoked mussels.

To illustrate just how dominant Dollar Tree can be when it comes to prices, let's examine the cost of a frozen pizza at both stores. As of writing, the cost of a Red Baron frozen pizza at Dollar Tree is $5, while the same size pie at Dollar General costs $8.95. Dollar Tree takes this round by a wide margin, so if you're looking for frozen pizza at an affordable price, this is one grocery item you're better off buying from Dollar Tree.

What about a staple ingredient instead? At Dollar Tree, a two-pound bag of rice goes for $1.25, while a bag of the same weight at Dollar General is $1.75. It might not seem like that big of a difference at first glance, but if you eat a lot of rice, that extra 50 cents can add up quickly. Cooking at home is a great way to save money and eat healthier, so budget-minded shoppers will certainly notice here.

Of course, cost isn't the only reason to shop at one store or another. Selection matters as well. Dollar General does take the edge when it comes to variety, so you may be better able to find more brands that can compete with what's in stock at your local Dollar Tree. Other factors like convenience and atmosphere also play a part, though that will vary from location to location and shopper to shopper.