Coles vs Woolworths — which is cheaper?
Last updated 2 May 2026
Neither is always cheaper. Prices change daily and the cheapest chain depends on which products you buy and when you shop. Our daily basket tracking shows $120.67 at Woolworths versus $136.12 at Coles on the same 20 essential items today, but for any given product the answer can flip. ShopHop tracks both on an ongoing basis so you can compare for your specific list.
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Where Coles tends to be cheaper
- Down Down catalogue specials on packaged goods.
- Coles brand products on pantry staples.
- Selected fresh produce lines.
Where Woolworths tends to be cheaper
- Everyday Rewards member pricing on selected lines.
- Prices Dropped promotions on branded goods.
- Some dairy and fresh categories.
The key thing both hide
Both Woolworths and Coles are currently defending Federal Court cases brought by the ACCC. The ACCC alleges prices were briefly raised before products entered their promotional programs, meaning the discounted price was the same as or higher than the original price. Price history is the most reliable way to evaluate any promotional claim from either chain.
How to tell if a special is real →
Frequently asked questions
Our data shows it varies by category and week. Neither chain is consistently cheaper across all products. The best approach is to compare your specific shopping list using ShopHop.