We're reader-supported and only partner with brands we trust. When you buy through links on our site we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Learn More. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date and time indicated and are subject to change.
As predicted, egg prices are finally dropping back to an affordable amount. While grocery shopping earlier this year, you probably noticed higher prices on basic essentials. Inflation, supply chain issues, and changes in demand caused a hefty increase on even the most necessary items. Butter prices are high, plus in 2022 and early 2023, we noticed a huge increase in the price of eggs. Prior to 2022, the highest price of a dozen eggs hit $2.97 in September 2015. Earlier this year, many states averaged around $4 per dozen. But the good news? Egg prices have been steadily dropping since record highs in February. So where can you find cheap eggs?
We did price comparisons at several national grocery chains to find the lowest price as of May 2023. Keep in mind that sale prices can affect these comparisons, but this is a good resource when choosing where to shop for everyday essentials. The prices listed are from local stores just outside of Pittsburgh, PA, but should give you an idea of which stores are offering the cheapest eggs.
Tip: Never miss out on money-saving tips and tricks when you download The Krazy Coupon Lady app.
Where to shop to find cheap eggs.
Browsing egg prices in my area, which is outside of Pittsburgh, prices on eggs are coming down. We compared a dozen Grade A, store-brand eggs at four national grocery chains and also compared a dozen organic, free-range, cage-free, and pasture-raised eggs at those same stores.
If you’re looking to get the best bang for your buck, store brand is the way to go. But we do realize that people have egg preferences and tried to respect that in our comparisons. If you prefer to shop for organic or cage-free eggs, Aldi and Trader Joe’s are your best bet. Their egg prices were surprisingly low in all of the categories.
While your local prices may differ from all of the egg prices we’re seeing below, we hope this helps as a guide for where to shop for cheap eggs this month!
Grade A Eggs
Looking strictly at store-brand Grade A eggs, Aldi’s Goldhen brand Grade A eggs and Walmart’s Great Value brand tie for first place. They ring up at $1.69 and $1.70 per dozen, respectively. This works out to $0.14 per egg and is $0.68 less per dozen than we saw in early April. Next up is Trader Joe’s Large White Eggs at $1.79 per dozen or $0.15 per egg. Target’s Good & Gather brand at $2.39 per dozen and $0.20 per egg, rounds out our list.
You can sometimes score a better deal when you buy eggs in bulk. Sam’s Club has 18 Large White eggs for $3.19, which works out to $0.18 per egg. But they also have a 90-count box of Grade A eggs for $12.84, or just $0.14 per egg, which matches Aldi and Walmart’s prices. It’s worth noting that just over a month ago, that same 90-count box at Sam’s Club was over $25! At Costco, a case of 24 eggs runs around $4.99. This works out to $0.21 per egg. Unless you need 90 eggs, you’re better off at Aldi or Walmart for now.
Keep in mind that these prices will vary by location. Some prices are higher, while others are lower. Two local Target stores outside of Pittsburgh have a dozen Grade A eggs for $1.89, while the same dozen are closer to $4 in California. Regardless of the current price, you should see lower prices across the board at all retailers, which is great news when it comes to our grocery bills.
Cage-Free Eggs
Taking a look at cage-free eggs, Aldi takes the prize again. Their cage-free eggs are $2.85 per dozen or $0.24 per egg. This is actually a few cents higher than we saw in April, but still the best current price.
The second best price for cage-free is Trader Joe’s at $0.25 per egg or $2.99 per dozen. It’s worth noting that Trader Joe’s kept their prices the most consistent while other retailers’ prices were skyrocketing. We called a local Trader Joe’s and they let us know that they refused to work with sellers who couldn’t provide the prices they thought were fair for customers.
Target’s cage-free eggs are currently $3.49 or $0.29 per egg. Walmart, carrying only the Egglands Best Cage Free Eggs, is $3.57 per dozen or $0.30 per egg.
Free-Range Eggs
Currently, Aldi takes the top spot yet again! Their $3.75 price works out to $0.31 per egg. This is, again, higher than April’s prices, but still the current best. Trader Joe’s free-range eggs are $4.29 per dozen or $0.36 per egg. Target carries the Nellie’s brand for $4.39 or $0.37 per egg and Walmart with the Happy Egg brand is $5.16 per dozen and $0.12 more per egg than Aldi!
Pasture-Raised Eggs
Pasture-raised eggs work out to be the most expensive on our list. And Trader Joe’s has everyone beat. Their pasture-raised dozen rings up at $3.99 or $0.33 per egg. Aldi’s Goldhen brand has officially moved to second place with a $5.49 price tag or $0.46 per egg. And Target carries the Vital Farms brand at $7.39 per dozen, which is $0.62 per egg! The prices on pasture-raised eggs have increased at all stores except Trader Joe’s since April. This could be a supply problem, but luckily you can still find them for an affordable price at TJ’s.
Why were eggs so expensive earlier this year?
You may have gone to your local grocery store and seen astronomical egg prices earlier this year — or found no eggs on the shelves at all. The egg shortage was likely due to the Bird Flu affecting egg production. CNBC reported that over 50 million birds were affected by the Bird Flu since February. As a result, farmers have seen 37 million of their egg-layers die. Demand for eggs, along with this shortage in egg-laying hens, drove prices up, making cheap eggs hard to find and also causing empty shelves in some stores. We’re crossing our fingers that these lower prices are now here to stay.
What do the different types of eggs mean?
Eggs are no longer just white ovals in a styrofoam carton. There are organic eggs, cage-free eggs, free-range eggs, and more. But what does it mean? Let’s break it down.
Grade A, AA, B
The grade on egg cartons is assigned by the USDA and is based on the egg’s interior quality as well as its shell condition. Grade AA eggs have thick and firm whites and yolks that are round and defect-free. If you look at Grade A eggs, they have similar yolks but their whites may not be as firm. Next up is Grade B, which is assigned when the egg’s whites are thinner, the yolks are less round, and the shells have stains. Grade B eggs are usually used to make egg products and are not often sold in stores.
Organic Eggs
The term organic is regulated by the USDA. In regard to eggs, it means that the chickens are free-range and fed a 100% organic diet free of hormones, antibiotics, arsenic, and byproducts. These eggs must also come from hens that have access to graze outdoors at least 120 days per year.
Cage Free vs Free Range
So what are cage-free eggs? Cage-free quite literally means that the hens are not kept in cages. It doesn’t mean, however, that their living facilities are top-notch. They could still be in cramped quarters with very little room to live. This term is not regulated, so it’s hard to say. Free-range hens have access to the outdoors, but whether they’re roaming free in a field or just able to visit a screened-in porch will depend on the facility.
Free Range vs Pasture Raised
If you prefer your eggs to come from a hen with ample room to roam, pasture-raised eggs are a good option. This means that the chickens live outdoors and eat a natural diet of seeds, plants, and insects, which to some result in the best tasting eggs. The term is not regulated by the FDA, so check that these eggs are Certified Humane and American Humane Certified. If you see this certification, a third party has determined that the hens have a specific amount of pasture land to roam and sufficient natural foods.
Hormone Free
While seeing these labels on a package may bring you comfort, don’t rely too heavily on these statements. The FDA has banned the use of hormones for poultry production, so this is true for all eggs.
Related: Where to Find Cheap Butter
So what type of eggs should I buy?
To be perfectly honest, it’s up to you! All eggs are healthy and a great source of protein and vitamin D. You should not avoid eggs in your balanced diet just because your budget doesn’t have room for high-end, organic brands.
But if you do want to shop for eggs with denser shells and round, yellow yolks, look for pasture-raised, organic eggs. According to experts at the Cleveland Clinic, these eggs have lower cholesterol content and darker, richer yolks.
How to get the best deals on cheap eggs.
While the prices listed above are regular prices and not reflective of any sales, you can save by using coupons for eggs. We often see mobile and printable coupons for 30% off a dozen eggs, or $0.50 to $1 off per dozen. The best way to save is to be flexible with the brands you purchase and the stores you shop. Though we don’t recommend spending the extra gas to go to multiple stores to get the lowest price, it’s worth planning your grocery trip around stores that often have the lowest prices on cheap eggs and other basic grocery essentials to stock up.
