When it comes to shopping at Walmart or Target, people have some serious feelings on the matter. You are usually either team Target or team Walmart all the way.
While many people swear Walmart has significantly lower prices, others claim they don’t care if they have to pay more for what they see as a better shopping experience.
We’ve put together some data to see what the price differences are on popular name-brand products at these two retail-titans.
We are comparing online store prices for each store, and this price comparison is being conducted in April of 2021 from the Midwestern area of the United States.
Target vs. Walmart Price Comparison Summary
No time to go through the entire article? We’ve summarized our findings here:
| Category | Target | Walmart | Savings |
| Groceries | $44.61 | $44.28 | 0.7% |
| Health and Beauty | $36.64 | $36.10 | 1.5% |
| Electronics | $289.95 | $295.82 | 2% |
| Pet Care | $53.55 | $53.18 | 0.7% |
| Baby | $70.26 | $70.16 | 0.1% |
| Total Cart Price | $495.01 | $499.54 | 0.9% |
Our findings show that Target did provide a cheaper cart price (by a very small margin), however, this is mainly due to the fact that the electronics category consists of a high percentage of the total cart price.
The electronics category is the only category where Target is providing a lower price compared to Walmart, in all other categories Walmart is the winner.
So when looking for the absolute lowest price, go for Walmart, expect when shopping for electronics, where Target would be your spot for the lowest price.
Read more to view the breakdown of each category’s price comparison.
Target vs. Walmart: Groceries Price Comparison
Today’s Target and Walmart locations include grocery sections that make them both awesome for one-stop shopping. Let’s see which store comes out on top when we fill our cart with common, popular food brands.
| Product | Target | Walmart | Savings |
| Eggland’s Best Farm Fresh Eggs, 12 count, Large | $2.79 | $2.67 | 4.4% |
| Prairie Farms 2% Milk, 1 gallon | $4.19 | $4.24 | 1.4% |
| Tyson Skinless Chicken Breast by the pound | $4.29 | $4.18 | 2.6% |
| Bananas, (price for each item) for 6 items | $1.40 | $1.56 | 10.8% |
| Cheerios, Family Size | $3.79 | $3.64 | 4.0% |
| Bush’s Original Baked Beans Seasoned with Bacon & Brown Sugar, Canned Beans, 28 oz | $1.99 | $1.98 | 0.5% |
| Coca-Cola 12 pack cans | $5.19 | $5.18 | 0.2% |
| Pringles Potato Crisps, Sour Cream, and Onion, 5.5 oz | $1.59 | $1.48 | 7% |
| Ben & Jerry’s Half Baked 16 oz ice cream | $4.39 | $4.38 | 0.2% |
| Bounty Select-A-Size Paper Towels, White, 6 Triple Rolls | $14.99 | $14.97 | 0.1% |
| Total | $44.61 | $44.28 | 0.7% |
Wow, when you look at all that green it sure looks like Walmart is the clear winner. Not so fast, however, because the difference is just a few pennies.
There was a less than 1% difference in price on our randomly selected cart. This one will come down to personal choice and the store’s prices on other items you need to buy that day.
Target vs. Walmart: Health and Beauty Price Comparison
How do personal care items and beauty products stack up at the two largest retail chains in the world? Let’s take a look at a small sample of products from each store.
| Product | Target | Walmart | Savings |
| Q-Tips Original Cotton Swaps 500 | $3.29 | $3.23 | 1.8% |
| Vicks Nyquil Cold & Flu, Cherry, 12 fl oz | $8.59 | $8.44 | 1.8% |
| Charmin Ultra Soft Toilet Paper 6 mega rolls | $6.99 | $6.97 | 0.3% |
| Tampax Tampons 54 count | $6.99 | $6.97 | 0.3% |
| Maybelline Great Lash Mascara 0.43 fl oz | $4.79 | $4.77 | 0.4% |
| Colgate MaxFresh Whitening Toothpaste 3 pack | $5.99 | $5.72 | 4.6% |
| Total | $36.64 | $36.10 | 1.5% |
Once again, Walmart does underprice Target at almost every turn but by a slim margin. You’ll save an average of 1.5% on health and beauty items. However, it’s a good time to point out that Target gives generous rewards and coupons for beauty items to members of their loyalty program.
Target vs. Walmart: Electronics Price Comparison
From TV sets to small kitchen appliances, people buy a lot of gadgets at Walmart and Target. Which one gives you a better deal? Let’s take a look at some price comparisons.
| Product | Target | Walmart | Savings |
| VIZIO 32″ Class HD Smart TV D-Series D32h-G9 | $139.99 | $137 | 2.2% |
| Hamilton Beach Wave-Action Blender | $29.99 | $29.96 | 0.1% |
| Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Nintendo, Nintendo Switch | $59.99 | $49.94 | 18.2% |
| Roku Express | HD Streaming Media Player with High-Speed HDMI Cable and Simple Remote | $24.99 | $29.00 | 14.9% |
| BLACK+DECKER 12-Cup Thermal Programmable Coffeemaker CM2046S, Silver/Black | $34.99 | $49.92 | 35% |
| Total | $289.95 | $295.82 | 2% |
Finally, a category where Target comes out on top. Again, the difference is small, on average only 2%. There were a few items with larger differences in this category, and you can tell that one store or the other is trying to be the price leader for specific items.
Target vs. Walmart: Pet Care Price Comparison
Pets are a huge part of many people’s lives. They are our best friends and the sweetest members of our families. It’s no wonder that economists are projecting that people will spend $99 billion on pet care in 2021. A fair share of that spending will happen at Walmart and Target so let’s see how their prices compare.
| Product | Target | Walmart | Savings |
| Purina ONE Natural Dry Dog Food, SmartBlend Chicken & Rice Formula, 8 lb bag | $12.39 | $12.36 | 0.2% |
| IAMS PROACTIVE HEALTH Adult Indoor Weight Control & Hairball Control Dry Cat Food 7 lbs | $13.49 | $13.44 | 0.4% |
| ALPO Variety Snaps Little Bites With Beef Bacon Cheese & Peanut Butter Flavors Dog Treats – 32 oz. Box | $2.69 | $2.66 | 1.1% |
| Arm & Hammer SLIDE Easy Clean-Up Litter, Multi-Cat, 28lb | $16.99 | $16.94 | 0.2% |
| GREENIES PILL POCKETS Capsule Size Natural Dog Treats Chicken Flavor, 7.9 oz. Pack (30 Treats) | $7.99 | $7.78 | 2.7% |
| Total | $53.55 | $53.18 | 0.7% |
The trend continues, Walmart is consistently lower than Target but by a minimal amount. In the pet section, you’ll save a few pennies by shopping at Walmart. Their selection was primarily the same, with similar brands and choices available.
Target vs. Walmart: Baby Items Price Comparison
Babies are just as expensive as they are adorable. New parents feel like their entire paychecks go to buying diapers, formula, and other baby essentials. Let’s see how Target and Walmart do when they go toe to toe in the baby aisle.
| Product | Target | Walmart | Savings |
| Pampers Baby-Dry Extra Protection Diapers, Size 4, 92 Count | $24.99 | $24.94 | 0.2% |
| Similac Pro-Advance Non-GMO Infant Formula with Iron Powder – 30.8oz | $36.99 | $36.96 | 0.1% |
| (2 Pack) Gerber Natural Stage 2, Banana Plum Grape Baby Food, 1 Tub | $1.29 | $1.28 | 0.7% |
| Boudreaux’s Butt Paste Maximum Strength Diaper Rash Ointment, 4 oz Tube | $6.99 | $6.98 | 0.1% |
| Total | $70.26 | $70.16 | 0.1% |
Our last category, and once again, the price difference is slightly in Walmarts favor. The price difference is tiny, sometimes as low as one penny. The two stories had many of the same name-brand items.
Target vs. Walmart: Services and Perceptions Comparison
While the two stores are similar in many ways, including price as it turns out, there are some significant differences in their services. Shopper’s perception of the two stores also plays a role in why people choose to shop there.
| Service | Target | Walmart |
| Shipping | Free 2-day shipping on orders of $35 or more when using your RedCard | Free 2 day shipping for orders $35 and more (Walmart+ members get free shipping on all orders). |
| Curbside | Same-day pickup orders available | Available, some locations can’t do same-day. |
| Delivery | Same Day Delivery From Shipt | Some locations have next-day delivery; locations vary. |
| Return Policy | There are free online returns and in-store, up to one year on Target brands, 90 days on all other items. Get 30 extra days if you used your RedCard. | Returns accepted up to 90 days on most products. |
| Loyalty Program | Circle – Target’s free loyalty program with lots of benefits, including cashback and many coupon deals and daily deals. RedCard – Target’s credit card with 5% cashback and free online shipping. | Walmart+ – It’s a paid membership, not a free loyalty program. It cost $98 a year. The benefits include free online shipping, free store delivery, savings on fuel, and coupon deals. |
There is a popular perception in pop culture that Walmart has lower prices but also cheaper quality. Target is seen as the upper-class solution for all-in-one shopping experiences. The stores are brighter and usually cleaner and better organized. They carry higher quality clothing and often have Starbucks kiosks in them, further catering to the upper-middle class.
On the other hand, Walmart has a reputation for having an “anything goes” dress code and a much more casual approach. But if that perception comes from pricing, then it couldn’t be further from the truth. The two stores are actually very close in price in many areas.
FAQs About Target And Walmart
How do Walmart and Target compare to Amazon in price?
The three giants are in tough competition with each other, and because of that, their prices have started to inch closer to each other. While all three are similar in price for brand name items across the board, one area where you can save considerable money by shopping on Amazon is electronics and kitchen appliances. The savings can be as much as 10% on these items.
How can you find additional savings for Walmart and Target?
Who donates more money to charity, Walmart or Target?
While Walmart gives away more money and products to charity each year, Target gives a larger percentage of their profit (4.7% vs. Walmart’s 4.1%). Again, they are similar in their charity, just like they are in their consumer product pricing.
Can you get eye exams at Walmart or Target?
Many Walmart stores have leased space to licensed Optometrists and offer eye exams and glasses for people with and without insurance. Target does the same but in far fewer locations. The prices are similar, with Target’s average eye exam between $65-$75 and Walmart’s being between $68-$79. Frames are cheaper on average at Walmart than Target.
Final Thoughts: The Price Gap Between Target And Walmart Isn’t As Big As You Think
When it comes to brand name items that are easy to compare side-by-side, Walmart consistently prices their products two to four cents lower than Target. This leads to the illusion of cheaper prices when the difference between two average and similar carts is very slim.
Some categories are more difficult to compare, such as their house brands and clothing. On these fronts, Walmart does have deeper price cuts, but the quality, especially when it comes to clothing, is lacking.
Walmart saves lots of money on clothing by manufacturing their own overseas with poor working conditions and quality. They have also been slammed by the media for keeping costs low by paying unfair wages. This is another reason some people choose to shop at Target despite the extra pennies.
