Are your “good eats” coming at good prices? Many netizens, both in America and around the globe, have some opinions.
Fuel was added to the food-price fire when a French TikToker went viral as she compared the cost of groceries between France and the United States. The question on everyone’s mind? Which location has the best food prices?
The Viral Response: Five Items for $50?
TikToker @francesurvivalguide went viral for replying to another TikToker from the U.S., who had been complaining about the rising costs of groceries and goods in the U.S.
In the original video, the poster noted that five items at his local grocery store had come out to a total of over $50.
The Comparison Begins
His list? Toothbrushes, milk, cereal, deodorant and detergent — all of which many consider household essentials rather than luxury goods. The final total came out to $51.05.
@Francesurvivalguide replied, noting that she could offer a helpful comparison from her local French market. The catch? Possible differences between sizes — but that was about it.
First Up: Deodorant
The original poster had been able to buy a two-pack of Dove deodorant, which cost him $12.79 after taxes.
The viral TikToker was able to purchase a similar amount of Nivea One deodorant for just 2.14 euros, which equates to about $2.35 based on the current exchange rate. That’s less than half of the price of an equivalent product in the U.S.
Were Other Alternatives as Economical?
@Francesurvivalguide continued her comparison segment for deodorant alternatives, noting that a two-pack of women’s Dove costs $8.99 in France — which is a full $3 discount off of the American prices.
Those who prefer to use men’s deodorant could opt for the $3.94 Mennen stick, which was also available at her local French market.
Crunch on These Discounts — Exploring Cereal Price Differences
Next on the comparison list was cereal. While Cheerios were unavailable to @Francesurvivalguide, she did find “maxi” or large boxes of Corn Pops and Frosted Flakes.
The cereal options came out to $4.12 and $4.34 respectively, which clocked in as a $1 cheaper alternative to what the man was able to find in his suburban grocery store.
France vs. America: Where to Stretch Your Dollar
While every dollar can make a difference to those looking for deals, viewers began to see a theme in @Francesurvivalguide’s video — the prices didn’t tend to exceed basal American pricing.
She emphasized this point later on in the cereal comparison segment, noting that there weren’t any cereal options that exceeded the price the American citizen paid.
Squeaky-Clean Savings: How Much Were Toothbrushes, Again?
After hitting the dental aisle, @Francesurvivalguide shocked the virtual audience by noting that a four-pack of generic toothbrushes cost just $2.12 — and the higher-quality option cost the equivalent of $3.33 in American dollars.
This stood in stark comparison to the cost that the original poster paid, which was $9.99.
Deals on Detergent: Which Options Are Better?
Viewers following the vlog found that the price match on detergent was a bit closer to American pricing, as a comparable quantity of soap cost $12.34.
Despite this, the $12.34 price was still cheaper than what the original poster paid (which was $15.99). Additionally, French consumers had the option to purchase smaller quantities at a lower cost.
How Far Can Milk Money Stretch?
@Francesurvivalguide scoured the aisles until she found the final item on the list: A gallon (or, 3.7 liters) of milk.
Milk was reportedly the only item on the list that was more expensive in France; coming in at a price of $4.65. This was nearly a dollar more than the American price of $3.89 that was cited in the original poster’s video.
Tallying the Total: Where Are Groceries the Cheapest?
The video concluded with @Francesurvivalguide comparing the total end prices, which varied significantly between French and American grocery stores. The information was helpful for those looking to stay price-savvy using the latest viral hacks.
Altogether, comparable items in France cost a total price of $34.02, or 30.95 euros. This final price was nearly $20 cheaper than the $51.05 that the original poster paid.
Inflation Seems to Be Universal
The TikToker ended her video by noting that inflation appeared to be universal, as residents of France had seen higher-than-average prices over the last few years.
“However,” she concluded, “(in general), Paris is way more affordable than LA.” Her point was echoed in her video’s comments, as world travelers chimed in on the great deals they secured abroad.
