A basket of grocery staples costs varied widely from store to store in Erie, according to a survey.
JENNIE GEISLER/ERIE TIMES-NEWS
USA TODAY Network, Reuters
The cost of everything nationwide (the consumer price index) has risen 3.4% since August 2025, according to the USDA. That includes grocery prices, which, in August, were 2.2% higher than they were in August 2025.
While prices for all food were expected to rise 2.9% this year, it’s not over yet: In 2027, food prices are expected to jump another 2%.
To get a snapshot of basic food prices in Erie, we compared a basket of staples found at five Erie-area supermarkets: Aldi, Giant Eagle, Tops, Walmart and Wegmans. What we found was that our basket total varied widely from store to store, with one basket coming in at $25.26 and another at $36.10. The average for our basket of items came in at $29.96.
Break it down
What follows is a breakout of each basket item at each store we surveyed. A few caveats: If the staple item was on temporary sale, it’s marked as such. If store-brand was available for the item, we used that price. Also, keep in mind that sale prices are generally available only to loyalty card holders in the stores that offer the cards, but not every store does.
Aldi
2647 W. 12th St.
Prices, information collected for Aldi on Oct. 5.
Ground beef, 85% lean, per pound: $5.99, sale priceGallon of 2% milk: Friendly Farms, $2.95, sale priceLoaf of wheat bread: Store choice: L’oven Fresh Split Top Wheat Bread, $1.65Boneless, skinless chicken breast per pound: Store choice, $1.99 a pound for 4.2-pound family pack, sale priceFrozen cut green beans: Store choice, Season’s Choice brand, $1.09 for 12 ouncesBananas per pound: $0.47Lemons, 2 pounds: $4.09 Spaghetti: Store choice, $2.09 for 32 ouncesWhite sugar, 4 pounds: Store choice, Baker’s Corner granulated sugar, $3.09, sale priceEggs, 12: Goldhen brand, large grade A, $1.85Total basket: $25.26
Giant Eagle
2501 W. 12th St.
Prices, information for Giant Eagle collected Oct. 5
Ground beef, 85% lean, per pound: $8.99Gallon of 2% milk: Giant Eagle brand, $4.89Loaf of wheat bread: Sara Lee Honey Wheat Bread, 20 ounces, $2.99, sale priceBoneless, skinless chicken breast per pound: Market District Fresh Enhanced Boneless Chicken Breasts, $3.99, sale priceFrozen cut green beans, 12 ounces: Giant Eagle brand, $1.29Bananas per pound: $0.49Lemons, 2 pounds: Wonderful Seedless brand, $5.99Spaghetti: Giant Eagle brand, $1.49, 16 ouncesWhite sugar, 4 pounds: Giant Eagle brand, $3.99Eggs, 12: Crystal Spring brand, large, $1.99Total basket: $36.10
Tops
712 W. 38th St.
Prices, information collected for Tops on Oct. 6.
Ground beef 85% lean per pound: TOPS brand 85% lean ground beef, $7.99Gallon of 2% milk: TOPS brand 2% reduced fat milk, $4.77Loaf of wheat bread: TOPS brand, bread, large, wheat, 20 ounce, $2.19Boneless, skinless chicken breast per pound: TOPS brand, $2.49Frozen cut green beans, 16 ounces: TOPS brand, $1.59Bananas per pound: $0.59Lemons, 2 pounds: $4.49Spaghetti, 16 ounces: TOPS brand, $1.25White sugar 4 pounds: TOPS brand, $3.49Eggs, 12: TOPS brand, extra large, $2.09 Total basket: $30.94
Walmart
5350 West Ridge Road
Prices, information collected for Walmart on Oct. 6.
Ground beef, 85% lean per pound: All Natural, $7.42 Gallon of 2% milk: Great Value brand, $2.55Loaf of wheat bread: Great Value Honey Wheat Bread, 20 ounces, $2.02Boneless, skinless chicken breast per pound: Freshness Guaranteed brand, $2.23, sale price Frozen cut green beans: Great Value brand,12 ounces, $0.98Bananas, per pound: $0.50Lemons, 2 pounds: $3.92 Spaghetti, 16 ounces: Great Value brand, $1.24White sugar, 4 pounds: Great Value brand, $2.97Eggs 12: Great Value brand, large, $1.67Total basket: $25.50
Wegmans
5028 West Ridge Road
Prices, information collected for Wegmans on Oct. 6.
Ground beef, 80% lean, per pound: Wegmans brand, $7.29 (85% lean not available.)Gallon of 2% milk: Wegmans brand, $5.49Loaf of wheat bread: Wegmans brand, soft honey wheat bread, 20 ounces, $2.89Boneless, skinless chicken breast per pound: Wegmans brand family pack, $2.69Frozen cut green beans: Wegmans brand, 12-ounce bag, $1.19Bananas, per pound: $0.59Lemons, 2 pounds: $4.59Spaghetti, 16 ounces: Wegmans brand, $1.19White sugar, 4 pounds: Wegmans brand, $4.09Eggs 12: Wegmans brand, grade AA large eggs, $1.99Total basket: $32
Contact Jennie Geisler at jgeisler@timesnews.com. Find her weekly newsletter at https://profile.goerie.com/newsletters/erielicious/.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: As grocery costs rise, an Erie supermarket survey found varying prices
Reporting by Jennie Geisler, Erie Times-News / Erie Times-News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
A dozen eggs is in the Erie Times-News basket of grocery staples. JENNIE GEISLER/ERIE TIMES-NEWS USA TODAY Network, Reuters 
A loaf of honey wheat bread is part of the Erie Times-News basket of grocery staples. JENNIE GEISLER/ERIE TIMES-NEWS USA TODAY Network, Reuters
Copyright Reuters or USA Today via Reuters Connect
This story was originally published October 8, 2026 at 5:11 AM.