We all have our grocery store loyalties in Montclair. Some swear by Kings for produce, others stick with Acme for convenience, and then there’s Whole Foods, long accused of turning every trip into a “Whole Paycheck.”
So, we decided to find out for ourselves: Where in Montclair does a basic grocery run cost the least?
Takeaways
- Prices across Montclair grocery stores do vary — more than we expected.
- Inflation may have slowed, but grocery bills are still much higher than pre-pandemic levels.
- Store loyalty programs and memberships can make a noticeable difference.
- And yes — one store surprised us with how affordable it’s become.
Our Experiment
We visited three grocery stores in Montclair — Kings (650 Valley Road), Acme (510 Valley Road), and Whole Foods (Bloomfield Avenue) — buying nearly identical items from each.
Our shopping list included 13 everyday staples:
- A box of Chex cereal
- A package of boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- A half gallon of milk
- A dozen eggs
- A quart of strawberries
- A pint of blueberries
- A loaf of sliced wheat bread
- A package of sliced smoked turkey
- A head of romaine
- A jar of pasta sauce
- A box of pasta
- Some bananas
- Cherry tomatoes
We tried to stick to the same brands wherever possible. When we couldn’t, we went with the store brand equivalent. We even started at Kings and bought bacon, but had to eliminate it because neither Acme nor Whole Foods carried a comparable kind. That $8.99 item was removed from Kings’ total to keep things fair.
Big Disparities
While the overall totals told one story, individual items revealed how widely prices vary from store to store.
Chex Cereal (Rice Chex, 12 oz box)
- Whole Foods: $5.99
- Acme: $6.99
- Kings: $8.29
Organic Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts (≈1.5 lbs)
- Whole Foods: $13.57
- Kings: $18.15
- Acme: $20.46
Dozen Brown Organic Eggs (Large, Grade A)
- Whole Foods (365 Brand): $4.04
- Acme (O Organics): $4.99
- Kings (O Organics): $5.99
These kinds of differences add up — sometimes dramatically — especially when you’re buying for a family or shopping weekly.The Results
After collecting receipts and double-checking the fine print (we take this very seriously), here’s what our totals looked like:
- Kings: about $95–$96 (after subtracting bacon)
- Acme: $84.25, with a $2.10 Club Card savings
- Whole Foods: $69.15, including a $3.55 Prime Member discount
Wait — what?
Yes. Whole Foods.
So much for the “Whole Paycheck” nickname.
The Bigger Picture
Even though inflation has slowed, grocery prices remain significantly higher than before the pandemic. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, food-at-home prices are up about 25% since 2019. meaning families are still feeling the squeeze at checkout. Prices rarely drop; they rise more slowly.
That’s why being a strategic shopper matters, especially in a town like Montclair, where convenience and cost often collide.
Smart Shopping Tips
We’re not endorsing any one store. This was purely anecdotal, and your mileage (and your grocery cart) may vary. But a few lessons stood out from our mini-experiment:
- Compare loyalty programs. Those digital coupons and Prime discounts add up.
- Mix and match. Trader Joe’s (in Clifton) is great for pantry items, if you can handle the parking lot.
- Shop sales with intention. Keep a running grocery list and stock up when prices drop.
- Buy local when possible. Montclair’s weekend farmers markets can rival the grocery store in price and freshness.
- Never shop hungry. Seriously. It’s budget sabotage.
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