The Show-Me State • Q3 2025 Data

Missouri Grocery Index

Research-driven price comparison across Missouri — from Kansas City to St. Louis, the Ozarks to the Bootheel. Find the cheapest groceries in your region.

Source: Missouri Economic Research & Information Center (MERIC) Q3 2025
National Rank
#6
Lowest Cost of Living
State COL Index
89.0
11% Below National Avg
Grocery Index
95.2
4.8% Below National Avg
Cheapest City
Joplin
84.0 COL Index
Aldi Locations
104+
Statewide Coverage

City Grocery Index

Joplin
Cheapest
92.0
Grocery index 8% below national average — the most affordable groceries in Missouri.
Overall COL Index 84.0
Dozen Eggs $2.94
Loaf of Bread $3.54
Springfield
Ozarks Hub
92.4
Low grocery prices despite highest overall COL among Missouri metros. Strong regional competition.
Overall COL Index 92.6
Key Chains Aldi, Hy-Vee, Harter House
Columbia
College Town
96.5
Moderate grocery prices with diverse options including Gerbes (Kroger), Schnucks, Hy-Vee, and Moser's.
Overall COL Index 90.1
Store Count 15+ Major Stores
Kansas City (MO)
Major Metro
98.1
Near-national average pricing. Price Chopper, Hy-Vee, and Aldi compete heavily in this market.
Dozen Eggs $3.20
Loaf of Bread $3.69
St. Louis
Largest Metro
99.8
Near national average. Schnucks dominates (27% market share). Dierbergs runs premium. Aldi provides budget relief.
Overall COL Index 89.4
Market Leader Schnucks (107 stores)

Store Rankings by Basket Cost

01

Aldi

Discount Grocer • 104 MO Locations
$65.59
25-Item Basket
02

Walmart

Supercenter • Statewide
$66.37
25-Item Basket
03

Sam's Club

Warehouse • $50/yr Membership
$68.94
30-Item Basket
04

Save-A-Lot

Limited Assortment Discount
~$62
Est. Basket
05

Price Chopper

KC Regional • 52 Stores
$74.85
25-Item Basket
06

Hy-Vee

Midwest Regional
$78.72
25-Item Basket
07

Costco

Warehouse • $65/yr Membership
$81.60
30-Item Basket
08

Schnucks

St. Louis Dominant • 107 Stores
~$80
Est. Basket
09

Target

Mass Retailer
$83.62
25-Item Basket
10

Dierbergs

St. Louis Premium • 26 Stores
$85+
Est. Basket

Stores by Region

St. Louis Metro
99.8 Grocery Index
Aldi (40+ locations) Best
Walmart Best
Schnucks (107 stores) Mid
Trader Joe's Good
Dierbergs (26 stores) Premium
Kansas City (MO Side)
98.1 Grocery Index
Aldi Best
Walmart Best
Price Chopper Good
Hy-Vee Mid
Costco (Riverside) Good
Blue Springs / Independence
East Jackson County
Aldi (Blue Springs) Best
Walmart (Multiple) Best
Price Chopper Good
Hy-Vee Mid
Sam's Club (Independence) Good
Lee's Summit / Raytown
South Jackson County
Aldi Best
Walmart Best
Costco (Lee's Summit) Good
Price Chopper Good
Hy-Vee Mid
Liberty / Excelsior Springs
Northland MO
Aldi (Liberty) Best
Walmart Best
Price Chopper Good
Hy-Vee (Liberty) Mid
Springfield / Ozarks
92.4 Grocery Index
Aldi Best
Walmart Best
Price Cutter Regional
Harter House Regional
Hy-Vee Mid
Columbia / Mid-Missouri
96.5 Grocery Index
Aldi Best
Walmart (3 locations) Best
Gerbes (Kroger) Good
Moser's Regional
Schnucks Mid
Joplin / SW Missouri
92.0 Grocery Index
Aldi Best
Walmart Best
Price Cutter Regional
Sam's Club Good
Lake of the Ozarks
Tourist Region
Woods Supermarket Regional
Aldi (Lake Ozark) Best
Walmart Best
Dierbergs (Osage Beach) Premium
Cape Girardeau / SE
River Region
Aldi Best
Walmart Best
Schnucks Mid
Ruler Foods (Kroger) Good
Rural Missouri
29 Communities
Town & Country / Country Mart Regional
Woods Supermarket Regional
Dollar General (limited) Mid
IGA Affiliates Mid

Sample Item Comparison

Item
Aldi
Walmart
Schnucks
Hy-Vee
Dozen Eggs (Large)
$1.79
$2.14
$2.49
$2.29
Gallon Whole Milk
$2.89
$2.97
$3.49
$3.29
White Bread (loaf)
$0.89
$0.97
$1.49
$1.29
Ground Beef (1 lb)
$4.29
$3.98
$5.29
$4.99
Chicken Breast (1 lb)
$2.89
$2.97
$3.79
$3.49
Butter (16 oz)
$3.49
$3.68
$4.49
$4.29
Cheddar Cheese (8 oz)
$2.29
$2.48
$3.29
$2.99
Bananas (1 lb)
$0.44
$0.52
$0.59
$0.58

About Missouri's Grocery Market

Missouri ranks as the 6th most affordable state for cost of living in the United States (Q3 2025), with groceries running about 4.8% below the national average. The state's grocery landscape is dominated by regional chains — Schnucks controls 27% of the St. Louis market with 107 stores, while Price Chopper leads in Kansas City with 52 locations.

For budget shoppers, Aldi has expanded aggressively with 104+ Missouri locations, offering the lowest basket prices statewide. The German discounter beats Walmart on most staples by $0.50–$1.00 per item. Warehouse clubs like Sam's Club outperform Costco on 68% of items tested and charge $15 less for annual membership.

Regional gems include Harter House and Price Cutter in the Ozarks, Woods Supermarket at the Lake, Gerbes (Kroger) in Mid-Missouri, and Town & Country/Country Mart serving 29 rural communities. Joplin consistently ranks as Missouri's cheapest city for groceries with an index of 92.0.

Data Sources & Citations