We Compared Grocery Store Prices in America & Portugal…We Didn’t Expect This

After living in Portugal for more than 5 After living in Portugal for more than 5 years and having thousands of Americans years and having thousands of Americans years and having thousands of Americans tell us just how expensive groceries are tell us just how expensive groceries are tell us just how expensive groceries are in the US, we decided to put that to the in the US, we decided to put that to the in the US, we decided to put that to the test. test. test. >> So, we went to the grocery store and got >> So, we went to the grocery store and got >> So, we went to the grocery store and got 20 staple items. We were in Porto, 20 staple items. We were in Porto, 20 staple items. We were in Porto, Portugal, Baltimore, Maryland, and Portugal, Baltimore, Maryland, and Portugal, Baltimore, Maryland, and Knoxville, Tennessee. And wow, were we Knoxville, Tennessee. And wow, were we Knoxville, Tennessee. And wow, were we surprised. So, just how much might you surprised. So, just how much might you surprised. So, just how much might you save living in Portugal compared to the save living in Portugal compared to the save living in Portugal compared to the US? Let's find out. US? Let's find out. US? Let's find out. >> Here we are in Porto, Portugal. We are >> Here we are in Porto, Portugal. We are >> Here we are in Porto, Portugal. We are heading to Almeida Shopping Center, heading to Almeida Shopping Center, heading to Almeida Shopping Center, which has a bigger continent. We usually which has a bigger continent. We usually which has a bigger continent. We usually do our shopping at a city center like do our shopping at a city center like do our shopping at a city center like downtown Porto grocery store which is downtown Porto grocery store which is downtown Porto grocery store which is too small. It's too small for this too small. It's too small for this too small. It's too small for this comparison because as many of you know a comparison because as many of you know a comparison because as many of you know a lot of American grocery stores are much lot of American grocery stores are much lot of American grocery stores are much larger and I think this one's pretty larger and I think this one's pretty larger and I think this one's pretty comparable. Let's step inside to check comparable. Let's step inside to check comparable. Let's step inside to check it out. it out. it out. >> We have our list of 20 staple items. And >> We have our list of 20 staple items. And >> We have our list of 20 staple items. And you might be wondering how we came up you might be wondering how we came up you might be wondering how we came up with these. Well, we asked our patrons with these. Well, we asked our patrons with these. Well, we asked our patrons on Patreon to submit their list of 20 on Patreon to submit their list of 20 on Patreon to submit their list of 20 staple items which we then aggregated to staple items which we then aggregated to staple items which we then aggregated to create our final list. So, [music] create our final list. So, [music] create our final list. So, [music] thanks to all of them for participating. For this comparison, we're going to For this comparison, we're going to specifically look for Gayla apples in specifically look for Gayla apples in specifically look for Gayla apples in each store.

each store. each store. >> This one looks good. >> This one looks good. >> This one looks good. >> All right, here we are in Baltimore and >> All right, here we are in Baltimore and >> All right, here we are in Baltimore and we're going to go into the Safeway to we're going to go into the Safeway to we're going to go into the Safeway to get our grocery list and see what the get our grocery list and see what the get our grocery list and see what the price comparison is. So, let's go. price comparison is. So, let's go. price comparison is. So, let's go. Here's our first American grocery store Here's our first American grocery store Here's our first American grocery store for this comparison and we're joined by for this comparison and we're joined by for this comparison and we're joined by our lovely nieces who are quite excited our lovely nieces who are quite excited our lovely nieces who are quite excited to help [music] us. for for >> three pounds. >> Here we are in [music] Knoxville, >> Here we are in [music] Knoxville, Tennessee to see what the prices are at Tennessee to see what the prices are at Tennessee to see what the prices are at Kroger. So, we've got our list, same Kroger. So, we've got our list, same Kroger. So, we've got our list, same list. Let's go and take a look at list. Let's go and take a look at list. Let's go and take a look at prices. prices. prices. >> We've been in a lot of different grocery >> We've been in a lot of different grocery >> We've been in a lot of different grocery stores on this trip around the east stores on this trip around the east stores on this trip around the east coast of the US. [music] And one pattern coast of the US. [music] And one pattern coast of the US. [music] And one pattern we've noticed is that most of the time we've noticed is that most of the time we've noticed is that most of the time the produce is to the right of the the produce is to the right of the the produce is to the right of the entrance. Let us know in the comments entrance. Let us know in the comments entrance. Let us know in the comments section if your home [music] store is section if your home [music] store is section if your home [music] store is different. different. different. Often times in Europe, you'll find single times in Europe, you'll find single items of produce that you'll need to items of produce that you'll need to items of produce that you'll need to weigh manually before you get to the weigh manually before you get to the weigh manually before you get to the cashier.

Right now, we need [music] lemon. Looks Right now, we need [music] lemon. Looks pretty cheap, actually. If you're unfamiliar with this system of If you're unfamiliar with this system of weighing your own produce, just know weighing your own produce, just know weighing your own produce, just know that there's a code for each item that that there's a code for each item that that there's a code for each item that you can find on the sign displaying the you can find on the sign displaying the you can find on the sign displaying the price. You enter that in and confirm price. You enter that in and confirm price. You enter that in and confirm it's the correct item. If you don't know it's the correct item. If you don't know it's the correct item. If you don't know that code, in most cases, you can look that code, in most cases, you can look that code, in most cases, you can look at the pictures on the screen and at the pictures on the screen and at the pictures on the screen and [music] find it. We found the options and quality [music] We found the options and quality [music] for onions to be really similar across for onions to be really similar across for onions to be really similar across the board. the board. the board. onions. Okay, sacks of potatoes is where we Okay, sacks of potatoes is where we realize we're not going to have a realize we're not going to have a realize we're not going to have a standard bag size at all.

>> All right, here we have We're going to >> All right, here we have We're going to go ahead and go with the rest of go ahead and go with the rest of go ahead and go with the rest of potatoes. 5 lb. So, almost 2.26 kg. potatoes. 5 lb. So, almost 2.26 kg. potatoes. 5 lb. So, almost 2.26 kg. >> Yeah. Not three. All right, taking a look at what they All right, taking a look at what they have for potatoes. It makes more sense have for potatoes. It makes more sense have for potatoes. It makes more sense to get the 5 lb bag. It's only 3.49. So, to get the 5 lb bag. It's only 3.49. So, to get the 5 lb bag. It's only 3.49. So, we'll go with the 5 lb bag. Actually had a really hard time finding Actually had a really hard time finding avocados and there's not much. So, we're avocados and there's not much. So, we're avocados and there's not much. So, we're just going to get one. just going to get one. just going to get one. Okay. Small. Okay. Small. Okay. Small. You want to see it? I think we should do You want to see it? I think we should do You want to see it? I think we should do this. this. this. >> Okay.

Let's grab some bread, everybody. Let's grab some bread, everybody. >> Okay, to make it a fair comparison, >> Okay, to make it a fair comparison, >> Okay, to make it a fair comparison, we're going to grab the bread in a bag we're going to grab the bread in a bag we're going to grab the bread in a bag because we don't really go to bakeries because we don't really go to bakeries because we don't really go to bakeries to get bread in the States. So, let's to get bread in the States. So, let's to get bread in the States. So, let's grab this. We'll compare it to the one grab this. We'll compare it to the one grab this. We'll compare it to the one back in the US. >> We look really hard at the various bread >> We look really hard at the various bread sections at this store to try to find sections at this store to try to find sections at this store to try to find something as close to the one we got in something as close to the one we got in something as close to the one we got in Portugal. Again, on the hunt for the right bread. Again, on the hunt for the right bread. A lot more options in the US stores. >> We're going to get some rice and pasta. >> We're going to get some rice and pasta. >> The rice is where we weren't sure how to >> The rice is where we weren't sure how to >> The rice is where we weren't sure how to make this a fair comparison. We grabbed make this a fair comparison. We grabbed make this a fair comparison. We grabbed a bag of commonly used rice in Portugal, a bag of commonly used rice in Portugal, a bag of commonly used rice in Portugal, but we weren't sure what to do in the but we weren't sure what to do in the but we weren't sure what to do in the States. So, we tried to get a similar States. So, we tried to get a similar States. So, we tried to get a similar size bag and the cheapest we could find size bag and the cheapest we could find size bag and the cheapest we could find in both US stores.

in both US stores. in both US stores. >> All right. It is what it is. >> All right. It is what it is. >> All right. It is what it is. >> I'll go with this one. This is cheaper. >> I'll go with this one. This is cheaper. >> I'll go with this one. This is cheaper. This one's cheaper This one's cheaper This one's cheaper >> by weight. Yeah. >> by weight. Yeah. >> by weight. Yeah. >> Cheaper. I'll go with this one. >> Cheaper. I'll go with this one. >> Cheaper. I'll go with this one. >> Cool. We looked for Barilla because we knew we We looked for Barilla because we knew we would be able to find it in the US, but would be able to find it in the US, but would be able to find it in the US, but this store didn't have it in stock. So, this store didn't have it in stock. So, this store didn't have it in stock. So, we went with the Milana [music] brand we went with the Milana [music] brand we went with the Milana [music] brand pasta, which is a popular brand in pasta, which is a popular brand in pasta, which is a popular brand in Portugal. We chose the Farfal style in Portugal. We chose the Farfal style in Portugal. We chose the Farfal style in all three stores. All right, we're in the back here to get All right, we're in the back here to get chicken and beef. >> A little over half a kilo. So, we'll go >> A little over half a kilo. So, we'll go with this. We could have gone to the with this. We could have gone to the with this. We could have gone to the butcher in any of the stores and asked butcher in any of the stores and asked butcher in any of the stores and asked for [music] a certain size or weight for for [music] a certain size or weight for for [music] a certain size or weight for the chicken breast, but we went with the the chicken breast, but we went with the the chicken breast, but we went with the package ones for simplicity. Going to package ones for simplicity. Going to package ones for simplicity. Going to the butcher would help reduce plastic the butcher would help reduce plastic the butcher would help reduce plastic consumption, though.

in Portugal, sometimes they do mixed, in Portugal, sometimes they do mixed, but I don't think it's super common in but I don't think it's super common in but I don't think it's super common in the States. It doesn't taste as good the States. It doesn't taste as good the States. It doesn't taste as good anyway. So, we're just going to do pure anyway. So, we're just going to do pure anyway. So, we're just going to do pure ground beef. ground beef. ground beef. >> Pure ground beef. >> Ground beef can be done differently from >> Ground beef can be done differently from place to place. Here's where we messed place to place. Here's where we messed place to place. Here's where we messed up a little. We got the leaner ground up a little. We got the leaner ground up a little. We got the leaner ground beef at Kroger, [music] which has a beef at Kroger, [music] which has a beef at Kroger, [music] which has a higher protein amount and is more higher protein amount and is more higher protein amount and is more expensive. Kaye doesn't like tuna, so I'm going to Kaye doesn't like tuna, so I'm going to be the one to touch it. >> I think we got store brand last time. >> I think we got store brand last time. >> That's all you. >> That's all you. >> That's all you. >> And I'm trying to find the store [music] >> And I'm trying to find the store [music] >> And I'm trying to find the store [music] brand and I don't see it. So, we'll just brand and I don't see it. So, we'll just brand and I don't see it. So, we'll just grab grab grab >> lots of options here.

>> lots of options here. >> lots of options here. >> Bumblebee tuna. so many options. so many options. >> Ear Here's a fairly well doumented grocery Here's a fairly well doumented grocery store item difference between the US and store item difference between the US and store item difference between the US and Europe. Eggs. Are you a fan of brown Europe. Eggs. Are you a fan of brown Europe. Eggs. Are you a fan of brown eggs or white eggs? Can you tell the eggs or white eggs? Can you tell the eggs or white eggs? Can you tell the difference if they're both from the difference if they're both from the difference if they're both from the grocery store? here. The price grocery store? here. The price grocery store? here. The price difference really shocked [music] us.

>> Did you check? >> Did you check? >> All right. Not brown. And we didn't do >> All right. Not brown. And we didn't do >> All right. Not brown. And we didn't do like the cage free or freerange ones. We like the cage free or freerange ones. We like the cage free or freerange ones. We just went [music] with the store ones. Here's another packaging and consumption Here's another packaging and consumption difference. We went with fresh milk over difference. We went with fresh milk over difference. We went with fresh milk over the shelf stable tetra packs. All right. In Portugal, it's by the All right. In Portugal, it's by the liter. So, here we have a half gallon, liter. So, here we have a half gallon, liter. So, here we have a half gallon, 1.89 liters. 1.89 liters. 1.89 liters. [music] [music] [music] Super. Here we have another item we found a Here we have another item we found a little challenging to get like for like, little challenging to get like for like, little challenging to get like for like, but we knew OOS is a common brand on but we knew OOS is a common brand on but we knew OOS is a common brand on both sides of the Atlantic and one that both sides of the Atlantic and one that both sides of the Atlantic and one that we like. But we did run into a problem.

>> What are we getting there? We got a >> What are we getting there? We got a >> Greek yogurt. >> Greek yogurt. >> Greek yogurt. >> Greek yogurt. >> Greek yogurt. >> Greek yogurt. >> Os >> All right, we're going to do oos again. >> All right, we're going to do oos again. Strawberry. This one is the protein Strawberry. This one is the protein Strawberry. This one is the protein kind, but it's the the packs of four kind, but it's the the packs of four kind, but it's the the packs of four like we got in Porto. >> If you're not lactose intolerant, who >> If you're not lactose intolerant, who doesn't love cheese? Both countries, in doesn't love cheese? Both countries, in doesn't love cheese? Both countries, in fairness, had awesome cheese selections fairness, had awesome cheese selections fairness, had awesome cheese selections at these larger grocery stores. We did at these larger grocery stores. We did at these larger grocery stores. We did decide to go a bit boring and get sliced decide to go a bit boring and get sliced decide to go a bit boring and get sliced cheddar because we knew that we could cheddar because we knew that we could cheddar because we knew that we could find that in American stores, despite find that in American stores, despite find that in American stores, despite the fact that Portuguese cheese the fact that Portuguese cheese the fact that Portuguese cheese varieties are awesome and ones we varieties are awesome and ones we varieties are awesome and ones we usually get.

usually get. usually get. Here are two other really recognizable Here are two other really recognizable Here are two other really recognizable cheeses and brands for our American cheeses and brands for our American cheeses and brands for our American audience. [music] There are actually a lot of options for There are actually a lot of options for cheddar here, which is very different in cheddar here, which is very different in cheddar here, which is very different in Portugal. So, [music] we went with a Portugal. So, [music] we went with a Portugal. So, [music] we went with a medium cheddar, thin slice. All right. Something that's noteworthy All right. Something that's noteworthy is in Baltimore, we had a lot of cheddar is in Baltimore, we had a lot of cheddar is in Baltimore, we had a lot of cheddar cheese options, and this one, not so cheese options, and this one, not so cheese options, and this one, not so much. So, we'll go here. But there is much. So, we'll go here. But there is much. So, we'll go here. But there is the option to get cheese at the deli. Now for a staple canned item. Do you Now for a staple canned item. Do you call it chickpeas or garbanzo beans? I call it chickpeas or garbanzo beans? I call it chickpeas or garbanzo beans? I normally go with chickpeas. normally go with chickpeas. normally go with chickpeas. >> I mean, right here we have the signature >> I mean, right here we have the signature >> I mean, right here we have the signature select select select 129. 129. 129. >> It's the smaller can. We don't see the >> It's the smaller can. We don't see the >> It's the smaller can. We don't see the big can, but that's a good price. big can, but that's a good price. big can, but that's a good price. The only big can that we're seeing of The only big can that we're seeing of The only big can that we're seeing of the chickpeas are the organic brand and the chickpeas are the organic brand and the chickpeas are the organic brand and those are $2.99. But we'll just get one those are $2.99. But we'll just get one those are $2.99. But we'll just get one of the storebought ones, Here comes the comparison headache we Here comes the comparison headache we thought we would be able to avoid.

All right. Price difference is really All right. Price difference is really big between name brand special K and big between name brand special K and big between name brand special K and Continent brand. So, we're going to buy Continent brand. So, we're going to buy Continent brand. So, we're going to buy the Continent brand. So, we've got actually the option for So, we've got actually the option for like this store brand and it's $2.99 for like this store brand and it's $2.99 for like this store brand and it's $2.99 for this smaller box. And this store brand this smaller box. And this store brand this smaller box. And this store brand exists [music] exists [music] exists [music] for basically all of the cereals except for basically all of the cereals except for basically all of the cereals except we can't find the special K one. Um, I we can't find the special K one. Um, I we can't find the special K one. Um, I think maybe we'll just go with the brand think maybe we'll just go with the brand think maybe we'll just go with the brand flake instead. But $2.99 if we could flake instead. But $2.99 if we could flake instead. But $2.99 if we could find the actual Special K. So, it's not find the actual Special K. So, it's not find the actual Special K. So, it's not the Special K brand.

It's hard to find Skip here. We normally It's hard to find Skip here. We normally don't get it. We're going to buy it here don't get it. We're going to buy it here don't get it. We're going to buy it here and then compare what it is in the US. and then compare what it is in the US. and then compare what it is in the US. All right, peanut butter has their own All right, peanut butter has their own All right, peanut butter has their own whole section here in America. Skippy's what we got in Portugal, so Skippy's what we got in Portugal, so we're going to get the same kind here. All right. I think the one thing that's All right. I think the one thing that's been consistent is getting the Skippy been consistent is getting the Skippy been consistent is getting the Skippy peanut butter in all three places and peanut butter in all three places and peanut butter in all three places and finding it. So, it'll be interesting to finding it. So, it'll be interesting to finding it. So, it'll be interesting to see out of these [music] what the exact see out of these [music] what the exact see out of these [music] what the exact price is in the three. Now, on to one item that we don't Now, on to one item that we don't normally consume and that we actually normally consume and that we actually normally consume and that we actually had to give away in all three [music] had to give away in all three [music] had to give away in all three [music] places. Coca-Cola. places. Coca-Cola. places. Coca-Cola. >> Haven't seen these before. Super Latt >> Haven't seen these before. Super Latt >> Haven't seen these before. Super Latt Super can. Super can. Super can. >> We opted for Coke Zero since it was the >> We opted for Coke Zero since it was the >> We opted for Coke Zero since it was the most commonly requested soda among our most commonly requested soda among our most commonly requested soda among our patrons.

Maybe I should have reached up and Maybe I should have reached up and grabbed that. grabbed that. grabbed that. >> Coke zero. Here, I got it. >> Coke zero. Here, I got it. >> Coke zero. Here, I got it. [music] I also get domestic beer. I also get domestic beer. >> Hands down our favorite domestic beer in >> Hands down our favorite domestic beer in >> Hands down our favorite domestic beer in Portugal. And honestly, one of our Portugal. And honestly, one of our Portugal. And honestly, one of our favorite beers, period. Superbach. favorite beers, period. Superbach. favorite beers, period. Superbach. [music] [music] [music] Not a sponsor, but I really wish they Not a sponsor, but I really wish they Not a sponsor, but I really wish they were. were. were. >> In Maryland, they don't sell groceries >> In Maryland, they don't sell groceries >> In Maryland, they don't sell groceries and alcoholic beverages [music] in the and alcoholic beverages [music] in the and alcoholic beverages [music] in the same store. So, we had to pop next door same store. So, we had to pop next door same store. So, we had to pop next door to get our domestic beer. beer. We're taking a look at the domestic We're taking a look at the domestic beers, the Superb Boach equivalent. So, beers, the Superb Boach equivalent. So, beers, the Superb Boach equivalent. So, [music] we've got Bud Light, maybe Coors [music] we've got Bud Light, maybe Coors [music] we've got Bud Light, maybe Coors Light, Mick Ultra. Light, Mick Ultra. Light, Mick Ultra. >> Not really our first choice, but to keep >> Not really our first choice, but to keep >> Not really our first choice, but to keep the comparison even.

the comparison even. the comparison even. >> Yeah, >> in Tennessee, you can shop for beer, >> in Tennessee, you can shop for beer, wine, and other beverages in the grocery wine, and other beverages in the grocery wine, and other beverages in the grocery store. So, let's grab this and check store. So, let's grab this and check store. So, let's grab this and check out. out. out. >> That's the line for person.

>> Okay, here we are with our total. It's >> Okay, here we are with our total. It's not exactly our total cuz two things. not exactly our total cuz two things. not exactly our total cuz two things. One, in Maryland, you can't get beer in One, in Maryland, you can't get beer in One, in Maryland, you can't get beer in the grocery store. So, we're going to the grocery store. So, we're going to the grocery store. So, we're going to pop over there real quick. And then two, pop over there real quick. And then two, pop over there real quick. And then two, we also use my sister-in-law's we also use my sister-in-law's we also use my sister-in-law's membership card, which is fine. We did membership card, which is fine. We did membership card, which is fine. We did the same thing at the continent. So, we the same thing at the continent. So, we the same thing at the continent. So, we got some discounts with the continent got some discounts with the continent got some discounts with the continent card in Porto. And then some with the card in Porto. And then some with the card in Porto. And then some with the Safeway one here. So, overall, a total Safeway one here. So, overall, a total Safeway one here. So, overall, a total for right now at least is 67.89. for right now at least is 67.89. for right now at least is 67.89. Total savings of 209. And then we'll go Total savings of 209. And then we'll go Total savings of 209. And then we'll go get the beer. get the beer. get the beer. >> 209 savings. Phenomenal. >> 209 savings. Phenomenal. >> 209 savings. Phenomenal. >> All right. Six-pack of Bud Light was >> All right. Six-pack of Bud Light was >> All right. Six-pack of Bud Light was [music] 9.80. So, we've got 9.80 80 plus [music] 9.80. So, we've got 9.80 80 plus [music] 9.80. So, we've got 9.80 80 plus the groceries of 67.89. So that would be the groceries of 67.89. So that would be the groceries of 67.89. So that would be our grand total for groceries in our grand total for groceries in our grand total for groceries in Maryland. at Kroger, we also use the savings card, at Kroger, we also use the savings card, so we got 660 in discounts. Total so we got 660 in discounts. Total so we got 660 in discounts. Total balance being 7774.

So, the grocery haul in Maryland and So, the grocery haul in Maryland and Tennessee was basically the same. But is Tennessee was basically the same. But is Tennessee was basically the same. But is the roughly 20% savings on groceries the roughly 20% savings on groceries the roughly 20% savings on groceries worth trading the US for Portugal? Only worth trading the US for Portugal? Only worth trading the US for Portugal? Only you can decide. And if you want to know you can decide. And if you want to know you can decide. And if you want to know what it takes to move to Portugal, then what it takes to move to Portugal, then what it takes to move to Portugal, then check out this playlist right here. And check out this playlist right here. And check out this playlist right here. And if you want to have a call with me if you want to have a call with me if you want to have a call with me directly, then my calendar is in the directly, then my calendar is in the directly, then my calendar is in the description below. Now, let's get description below. Now, let's get description below. Now, let's get moving.