Aldi has been crowned Australia's cheapest supermarket for health-conscious shoppers, with a new consumer survey of 104 stores across the country revealing a significant price gap between the discount chain and its major rivals — even as grocery costs continue to climb at all four supermarkets surveyed.

The findings come from a quarterly survey conducted in June, with undercover shoppers visiting Aldi, Coles, Woolworths and IGA outlets across 27 locations nationwide. The results paint a sobering picture for Australian households already grappling with mortgage stress and rising living costs.

Aldi Leads on Healthy Basket Prices

When it came to a "healthy basket" — comprising baby spinach, broccoli, carrots, chicken breasts, Corn Thins, Greek yoghurt, hummus, tinned chickpeas and rolled oats — Aldi came out well ahead of the competition.

"Excluding specials, Aldi provided the best value for our basket of healthy products, costing $28.79," said consumer group chief executive Monique Perry.

By comparison, the same basket cost $33.52 at Woolworths and $34.25 at Coles. IGA was the most expensive at $42.27 — nearly $14 more than Aldi for the same selection of items.

For Australians trying to eat well on a tight budget, that difference is significant. More than eight in ten Australians now say groceries are a major pressure on household budgets, underscoring why these comparisons matter.

Base Basket Prices on the Rise Across All Chains

Beyond the healthy basket, the survey also tracked a "base basket" of eight everyday staples — Royal Gala apples, bananas, strawberries, potatoes, avocado, milk, basmati rice and beef mince — and found prices have increased at every supermarket since the previous quarterly survey.

IGA recorded the sharpest jump, with its base basket rising 11 per cent to $50.42, up from $45.42 previously. Aldi, despite remaining the cheapest overall at $40.10, posted the second-largest increase — up 8 per cent, or $2.96.

Coles followed with a 6 per cent rise, adding $2.44 to its base basket price, while Woolworths recorded the smallest increase of the four — just 2 per cent, or 87 cents.

"While Aldi's basket was still the cheapest of the four supermarkets we surveyed, they did have the second biggest increase," Perry noted.

With Australians facing growing health challenges, the ability to afford nutritious food remains a critical concern for consumers and policymakers alike.

Rate Hikes and Government Spending Adding to Pressure

The survey results arrive ahead of the Reserve Bank's next board meeting, where governor Michele Bullock is widely expected to announce another cash rate increase — which would be the fourth rate hike of 2026, following moves in February, March and May.

Economist and Compare The Market economic director David Koch argued that the RBA needs to direct more scrutiny towards government spending rather than placing the burden of inflation solely on consumers.

"Australian households are hurting, but I think it's a little unfair because Australians were asked to tighten their belt about 12 months ago, and they have," Koch said. "Household spending is way down. You've got consumer confidence plunging. You've got business investment and business sentiment falling as well."

Koch pointed to two key drivers keeping inflation elevated: rising global oil prices — which he noted are beyond Australia's control — and what he described as "record spending by Australian governments" at Commonwealth, state and local levels.

"State governments are spending the most, and it's out of control," he said, adding that petrol prices are also flowing through to higher costs at the checkout.

"Consumers, we are all fighting with the Reserve Bank, but government spending and government price rises are undoing all our good work. So why should we pay the penalty?" Koch said.

What Shoppers Can Do Now

For budget-conscious Australians, the survey's message is clear: choosing Aldi over IGA for a standard weekly shop could save well over $10 on a base basket alone — and potentially more when buying health-focused items. Avoiding specials-dependent pricing and sticking to everyday prices gives a more reliable picture of where the best ongoing value lies.

With another potential rate rise looming and grocery prices continuing their upward trajectory, the pressure on household budgets shows little sign of easing in the near term. Those looking to make informed financial decisions will need to keep a close eye on where every dollar is spent.