As the sun sets on another summer, parents and students alike are swapping out pool floats for pencil cases. Yup, it’s that time again — back-to-school season! And if you’ve been dreading the dent it puts in your wallet, you’re not alone. With inflation whispering in everyone’s ears and price tags getting sassier every year, knowing where to shop can make or break your budget.
So we went full Sherlock Holmes and did the digging. Spoiler: Not all stores are created equal. Some are budget heroes. Others? Not so much. Let’s break it down.
The Big Picture: School Supply Price Wars
Parents in 2025 are more cost-conscious than ever. While some household expenses (ahem, eggs and fuel) have been on a rollercoaster ride, school supplies have actually chilled out a bit this year. On average, prices have dropped by about 8% from 2024. But don’t break out the party hats yet — it really depends where you shop.
We analyzed the price of 20 common school items (from crayons to calculators) across 10 major retailers. From the kings of savings to the budget bullies, here’s what we found:
📊 Table: School Supply Prices by Retailer (2025)
| Rank | Store | Total Cost (All Items) | Cheapest For | Most Expensive For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Walmart | $54.21 | Notebooks, Markers, Folders, Glue | None |
| 2 | Dollar General | $72.75 | Rulers, Scissors | Binders |
| 3 | Target | $80.56 | Lunch Boxes, Pencils, Folders | Calculator, Markers |
| 4 | Staples | $90.08 | Binders, Loose-leaf Paper | Backpacks |
| 5 | Kroger | $97.21 | Construction Paper, Glue Sticks | Pencil Pouch |
| 6 | Meijer | $98.99 | Safety Scissors | Backpacks (Highest price) |
| 7 | Amazon | $109.09 | Pencils, Pens | Crayons, Rulers, Folders |
| 8 | Office Depot | $109.40 | Dry-Erase Markers | Lunch Boxes, Scissors |
| 9 | Walgreens | $132.37 | Combination Lock | Highlighters, Paper, Notebooks |
| 10 | Michaels | $184.03 | (Few items) | Backpacks, Notebooks, Everything |
🏆 Best Bang for Your Buck: Walmart
Walmart is the undisputed MVP. Not only is it the cheapest overall, but it also carried every single item on the list. The total? A jaw-droppingly low $54.21. That’s 47% below the average. Add in broad availability and frequent markdowns, and you’ve got the back-to-school GOAT.
Hot tip: Their prices dropped another 20% from 2024. If you’re a bargain hunter, skip the search. This is your place.
🧠 Surprisingly Solid: Dollar General
This one might shock you. Dollar General came in second place, thanks to solid pricing on basics like rulers and scissors. Their total came to $72.75 — not dirt-cheap, but still budget-friendly.
Downside: Their selection can be hit or miss. Don’t count on finding fancier items like combo locks or multi-subject notebooks.
🎯 Mainstream and Affordable: Target
Target sits comfortably at #3. It’s not the absolute cheapest, but their stuff looks good and the prices are reasonable. It shines in categories like lunch boxes, pencils, and folders.
Reality check: Some specialty items (like calculators) are overpriced. Still, with frequent in-store promos and a clean shopping experience, it’s a solid choice.
🧾 Staples, Kroger, and Meijer: The Middle of the Pack
Staples dropped prices by 12% this year and offers solid quality on items like binders and loose-leaf paper. Just don’t expect to save on backpacks.
Kroger has some hidden gems, especially on craft supplies and glue. But prices on pouches and pens are meh.
Meijer is regionally strong (mostly Midwest) and offers every item on the list. But their backpack pricing? Outrageous. Maybe skip that aisle.
😬 Pricey Picks: Amazon, Office Depot, Walgreens
Amazon might be convenient, but some of their school supplies are suspiciously expensive. The convenience tax is real, especially if you’re only buying one or two items.
Office Depot and Walgreens are what we call “extras.” Not in a good way. Prices are high, and the selection is patchy. Walgreens did improve this year by stocking backpacks and lunchboxes, but that hardly justifies the $132+ bill.
💸 Most Expensive: Michaels
Oh Michaels, we love you for DIY crafts and Pinterest dreams. But for school supplies? HARD pass. Not only is it the priciest by far, but it doesn’t even carry the full list. Tissues and combo locks? MIA.
$184.03 for basic school supplies is three times what you’d spend at Walmart. Unless your kid needs glitter glue and you’re feeling bougie, you’re better off elsewhere.
💡 Where Each Store Wins
🔹Walmart = Cheapest overall
🔹Dollar General = Best for rulers & scissors
🔹Target = Most stylish folders & lunchboxes
🔹Staples = Good binders and notebooks
🔹Kroger = Craft-friendly (construction paper + glue)
🔹Meijer = Broadest stock, but pricey backpacks
🔹Amazon = Fastest delivery (with a side of markup)
🔹Office Depot = Fine for dry-erase, skip the rest
🔹Walgreens = OK in a pinch, not for full lists
🔹Michaels = Great for art, terrible for math class
🛒 How to Save More This Season
- Use cash-back or store cards. Retailer credit cards like the Target RedCard or Walmart Rewards can shave an extra 5-10% off.
- Stack coupons. Many stores allow combining manufacturer coupons with in-store deals.
- Price match. Some stores like Staples and Walmart will match competitor pricing if you show proof.
- Shop early (but not too early). Late July to mid-August has the best balance of inventory and discounts.
🔍 Methodology
We gathered prices for 20 school items across 10 major U.S. retailers, focusing on common lists for elementary, middle, and high school students. Prices reflect live sales between July 2 and July 8, 2025.
If a retailer didn’t carry an item, we used the average cost across all other stores to calculate their total. This way, the comparison stays fair.
✏️ Final Thoughts
Back-to-school shopping doesn’t have to be a financial facepalm. In 2025, you can save a ton just by picking the right store. Walmart and Dollar General are clear front-runners, while Michaels might be where your budget goes to cry.
So whether you’re buying a mountain of glue sticks or your third calculator of the year (because how do they keep losing them?!), shop smart. And maybe, just maybe, you’ll have enough left over for a fancy coffee to reward yourself. You deserve it.
