Tom Thumb vs Central Market

Tom Thumb vs Central Market at a glance

• Central Market is cheaper in all 8 aisles we compared.
• On the healthiest products (ingredient score A or AB), Central Market is 10% cheaper.
• The same 15-product basket costs $52.77 at Central Market and $65.55 at Tom Thumb.

How far apart Tom Thumb and Central Market prices are

• Within 10%: 303 items
• 10% to 25% apart: 707 items
• More than 25% apart: 497 items
• Typical gap: 20% per item, where the prices differ

• 

  Biggest saving at Tom ThumbReadymeals Bbq Pork 1 lb$13.64 vs $25.99 at Central Market — save $12.35

• 

  Biggest saving at Central MarketBulletproof Ground Artisan Medium-Dark The Mentalist Coffee 12 oz$12.99 vs $21.99 at Tom Thumb — save $9.00

The same basket at Tom Thumb and Central Market

The 15 products carried by the most stores we track — no more than two from any aisle — priced at Tom Thumb and Central Market.

Central Market is $12.78 cheaper on this basket.

Tom Thumb vs Central Market prices by aisle

Average price of the matched products in each aisle, biggest difference first.

Tom Thumb vs Central Market on cheap and pricier items

The same products grouped by what they cost — a store can win on everyday basics and lose on bigger-ticket items, or the other way round.

Healthier groceries: Tom Thumb vs Central Market

Matched products grouped by their Labeled ingredient score, from A (cleanest ingredients) to C.

Ingredient score	Tom Thumb	Central Market	CheaperGap
Score A416 items	$6.57	$6.40	Central Market · 3%
Score AB550 items	$6.56	$5.53	Central Market · 16%
Score B350 items	$5.37	$4.70	Central Market · 12%
Score C253 items	$6.76	$6.20	Central Market · 8%

Scores come from the Labeled app, which grades each product's ingredients against research from the FDA, EFSA, WHO and others.