Let’s be blunt: Shopping for back-to-school supplies can be a real headache.
First off, it’s pricey. Parents spent an average of $122.13 on school supplies per child last year, according to the National Retail Federation.
Second, it eats up time. If you bring the kids, things can go downhill fast. And those classroom lists? Super specific. Naturally, you rarely get everything you need in a single store.
That’s why I set out to help. I spent a full day hitting five different retailers with an actual school supply list to determine which had the most affordable essentials.
Walmart is famous for low prices, so I tested it against four other popular spots for back-to-school buys.
Our Back-to-School Shopping List
I used a supply list for a fourth grade class from my town just outside Washington, D.C.
1. Walmart: Is It Truly the Cheapest?
Walmart has a reputation for low prices, so I began there — even if it meant a 30-minute drive and navigating some bewildering traffic circles. (D.C. traffic, right?)
Although I shopped in July — before the full-on seasonal displays were out — I was still able to locate every item on the list (which I couldn’t say for every other store).
Walmart stocks a range of each product, across brands and pack sizes. Want to save by choosing generic? That’s an option. Need the exact brand your teacher requested? You’ll find Crayola, Elmer’s and Five Star there, too.
Walmart ended up being the least expensive of the five stores, even for brand-name goods. I found a 24-pack of Ticonderoga pencils for $1.95. Target only carried 12-packs — half the amount — for $2.39.
Total price: $70.07
2. Target: Can Its Store Brand Cut Costs?
I’ve always liked Target, but I was somewhat let down by its back-to-school offerings. I even had to visit two different Target locations to collect every item — the stores in my area are small and hadn’t set up seasonal displays yet.
When options existed, I priced Target’s store-brand supplies, which sometimes were cheaper than competitors.
For example, Target’s copy paper undercut Walmart’s price. However, Walmart had a 24-pack of name-brand Ticonderoga pencils for $1.95; Target’s 24-count generic pencils were $1.99. Why pay four cents more for a store brand?
Some items were simply pricier. Composition notebooks were ten cents costlier than at Walmart. More dramatically, Five Star plastic folders were $0.97 apiece at Walmart but $1.99 at Target. If you’re buying several, that difference adds up fast.
Total price: $87.25
3. Dollar Tree: Is $1 Really a Bargain?
Confession: When I began checking prices at Dollar Tree, I briefly wondered, “Where are the tags?!”
Oh right — everything’s $1. That seems like it should make Dollar Tree the cheapest option, but appearances can be deceptive.
Some items, like composition books, were hugely overpriced compared with Walmart — $1 each versus Walmart’s $0.50. Some products were cheaper than Target and Walmart, but for a reason. Colored pencils were $1, but only eight per pack and all neon.
Also, school supplies were mixed in with toys, which is a nightmare if you’ve brought kids along.
The most exasperating part was not being able to find everything on my list. I left the store seven items short. And even the items I could buy weren’t always practical — neon pencils, anyone?
Dollar Tree’s $1 promise might tempt you, but I wouldn’t recommend doing your full back-to-school haul there. You’ll probably end up driving to Walmart anyway.
Total price: n/a
4. Staples: Is Paying More Worth Avoiding Toy Chaos?
Staples feels like the obvious back-to-school destination — it’s literally their specialty. Plus, you won’t have to drag kids away from a toy aisle.
Sadly, Staples ended up as the second most expensive option on my list, despite some standout sales.
I was pleased to find 97-cent colored pencils and $3.99 packs of copy paper. But my subtotal ballooned when I added household items (disinfectant, tissues and baggies).
Disinfectant wipes were a full dollar pricier at Staples than at Walmart. Tissues were also more expensive. Even a smaller bottle of hand sanitizer ran higher. Buy multiples and your total climbs quickly.
Total price: $101.18 (excluding gallon baggies)
5. CVS: How Much Do You Pay for Convenience?
I remember running into a CVS or Walgreens as a kid for last-minute school items my mom had forgotten. There’s practically one on every block.
I hoped CVS would prove convenient for back-to-school errands, but I can’t really recommend it.
I can’t advise spending $2.79 on a composition notebook when Walmart sells it for $0.50. Nor can I suggest paying $7.79 for Clorox wipes when Walmart offers a comparable product for nearly $3 less.
Even with BOGO 50% deals for members, you’re likely to spend more. And unless you actually need two of something, buying multiples to get the deal isn’t helpful.
If you’re seriously desperate at the eleventh hour, swing into CVS for one or two items — but bring extra money.
Total price: $124.95 (excluding big erasers)
Where to Shop for Back-to-School Gear
When I got home I was wiped out. I kicked off my shoes, poured a drink and crunched the numbers (my editors double-checked them), and I was pretty surprised one store stood out so clearly.
Walmart.
Price-wise, Walmart bested the others by as much as 43%. That’s almost half off without coupons, sales or cashback apps.
Here are the totals:
- Walmart: $70.07
- Target: $87.25
- Dollar Tree: Disqualified for missing too many items
- Staples: $101.18
- CVS: $124.95
That means Walmart was:
- $17.18 less than Target
- $26.62 less than Staples
- $54.68 less than CVS
Also, it was the only store that carried everything on this list (unlike, cough, Dollar Tree).
If you’re heading out with your kid(s) for back-to-school shopping, Walmart is the place to stretch your dollars.
At the end of the day, shout-out to the parents tackling back-to-school hunts this season. I’m grateful I have a bit more time to practice.
Note: I shopped on July 1, 2019 at these locations:
- Walmart: 5929 Georgia Ave. NW, Washington, D.C.
- Target: 7828 Georgia Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. and 6831 Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda, MD
- Dollar Tree: 5260 Randolph Road, Rockville, MD
- Staples: 6800 Wisconsin Ave., Chevy Chase, MD
- CVS: 6917 Arlington Road, Bethesda, MD
Prices and stock can vary by location and may have changed since my shopping trip.
Jordan Hale ( [email protected] ) is a staff writer at Savinly. She used to enjoy back-to-school runs. *adjusts her glasses, gives a polite smile* These days, the whole process just makes her a little sweaty.
For more on retailer policies that can save you money while shopping, see our guide to the walmart price match policy.
