Groceries are up 3.1 percent, and Americans need answers, so one reporter priced 32 items at Costco and Walmart to find out who wins

Grocery prices have gone up 3.1 percent compared to last year, and shoppers are looking for ways to spend less. To find some real answers, Business Insider reporter Savannah Born took the same list of 32 everyday items to both Costco and Walmart in Indianapolis. By comparing unit prices, such as cost per pound or ounce, she was able to see exactly where the better deals are.

The results show that Walmart came out cheaper on some key staples like sugar, flour, and eggs, with a dozen eggs costing 15 cents less than at Costco. Chicken was also more affordable at Walmart, at 42 cents less per pound. For smaller, day-to-day purchases, Walmart clearly has the edge. But when looking at the full basket, Costco wins on overall value. Born found that her entire cart of 32 items was nearly 26 percent cheaper at Costco.

A separate report from Consumer Reports, which looked at grocery basket prices across six major metro areas, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, and Virginia Beach, found Costco to be the cheapest major grocery chain in the country, with prices averaging 21 percent lower than Walmart.

Costco’s bulk model saves more money overall, but Walmart’s reach and flexibility make it the better fit for many American households

The price difference comes down to how each store operates. Costco runs on a membership model that costs $65 a year. That fee gives shoppers access to bulk pricing and perks like discounts on tires and prescription eyeglasses. Costco is also rapidly expanding its fuel network, and Costco’s growing gas station discounts are drawing a lot of attention from drivers looking to save at the pump.

Costco keeps prices low by capping markups at around 15 percent, leaning on its Kirkland Signature brand, and cutting out middlemen and advertising costs. Walmart, on the other hand, focuses on convenience and smaller pack sizes with no membership fee required.

This makes it a much more accessible option for many families. That accessibility matters a lot, given that around 19 million Americans live in areas where getting to a grocery store is a real challenge. Walmart has about 5,200 stores across the country and serves as the main, or only, food source in over 200 communities.

Costco, by comparison, has only about 643 locations, mostly in high-density, higher-income suburban areas. For some shoppers, just getting to a Costco can be difficult. And if rising gas prices mean a long drive to the warehouse, the savings could end up being cancelled out by the travel cost.

There are also practical things to think about before switching to bulk buying. Smaller households may end up throwing away more food than they save when buying large quantities of perishable items. For people on fixed incomes, paying more upfront, even for a lower unit price, can be a dealbreaker.

Meanwhile, Walmart has been making headlines for other reasons too, the retailer recently added a new device to its shopping carts, and Walmart’s new shopping cart surveillance device has sparked serious privacy concerns among shoppers. In the end, the right store depends on your habits, your storage space, and where you live.

If you need easy access to individual items without committing to bulk quantities, Walmart is a solid, dependable choice. But if you can store large amounts and want to save more on a bigger grocery haul, the data clearly points to Costco as the better deal, as long as it is actually within reach for you.

Inflation has hit US consumers hard in recent months. According to NBC News, items like ground beef and orange juice have seen significant price increases (15.2% and 22.6%, respectively) since Donald Trump took office. However, some items have gone down in price. Egg prices have seen a whopping 30.6% decline, while pork bacon has become 1.2% cheaper.