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SAVINGS INTELLIGENCEby Secure Bytes Solutions LLC
UNIT PRICES · ORIGINAL GUIDE

Different package sizes? Compare the cost of the same amount.

A lower package price does not always mean a lower unit price. Normalize products to the same measurement before deciding.

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Use one comparable unit

For weight-based goods, compare dollars per ounce, pound, gram or kilogram. For goods sold by count, compare the cost per item. For liquids, use fluid ounces or liters. Do not compare weight ounces to fluid ounces: they measure different things.

Example: two bags of rice

Illustrative numbers — not current retail prices

An 18-ounce package costs $4.32: $4.32 ÷ 18 = $0.24 per ounce. A 24-ounce package costs $5.28: $5.28 ÷ 24 = $0.22 per ounce. The second package costs more upfront but less per ounce. If you would not use the extra food before it spoils, the larger size still may not be the better personal choice.

What to include in a fair comparison

  1. Confirm the product is comparable in quality, variety and ingredients.
  2. Check the net quantity, not just packaging size.
  3. Apply permitted coupons to the correct pack size before recalculating unit price.
  4. Include membership-only pricing only if you are eligible.
  5. Consider food waste and storage limitations.
  6. Check whether the posted price is current for your store and ZIP code.

Bulk-buying is not automatic savings

A warehouse size may offer lower unit cost but can increase total spending, storage requirements or spoilage. Savings Intelligence's shopping-list tool lets you enter quantities and compare two estimated retailer prices while keeping unavailable prices blank.