Five Below vs. Dollar Tree: Same 5 Must-Haves, 55% Cheaper This Month
“Five Below” sounds like a challenge. “Dollar Tree” sounds like a promise.
Neither name, though, tells you exactly what your total shopping haul is going to cost you. That’s why MoneyLion compared five household must-haves at the two discount chains.
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Since the stores don’t always sell the same brand or package size, this won’t be an identical apples-to-apples comparison; rather, we’re looking at what it costs to buy the same basic necessities at each retailer and which location will save you the most money in total.
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Toothpaste
Five Below price: $3
Dollar Tree price: $1.25
Everybody needs toothpaste and both retailers carry name-brand Colgate. Five Below lists a 6-ounce Colgate cavity protection great regular toothpaste. for $3, while Dollar Tree lists a 5-ounce Colgate great regular with fluoride for $1.25.
Even though the Five Below tube is slightly larger, Dollar Tree still comes out substantially cheaper, at about 35 cents less per ounce.
Dish Soap
Five Below price: $3
Dollar Tree price: $1.50
Unless you plan on only eating off paper plates and drinking from plastic cups, dish soap is another household must-have. Five Below currently lists a 15.5-ounce Dawn ultra for $3; Dollar Tree sells a 12.6-ounce Palmolive original for $1.50.
Sure, Five Below’s bottle is larger, but Dollar Tree saves you $1.50 per bottle and on a per-ounce basis, Dollar Tree is still cheaper.
Paper Towels
Five Below price: $5
Dollar Tree price: $1.50
Here’s where package sizes get a bit funky. Five Below sells Scott fast absorbing paper towels in a six-pack for $5. Meanwhile, Dollar Tree sells a big roll of paper towels for $1.50.
That makes Dollar Tree the cheaper checkout price, although, again, this is not a true apples-to-apples quantity comparison, as you’re getting six rolls at Five Below versus one at Dollar Tree. Still, if you just need a roll of paper towels without committing to a multipack, Dollar Tree’s lower upfront cost is awfully hard to ignore.
Toothbrush
Five Below price: $2
Dollar Tree price: $1.25
Five Below carries a Colgate extra clean toothbrush for $2 and Dollar Tree offers a Colgate plus soft toothbrush with tongue cleaner for $1.25.
Replacing your toothbrush? Dollar Tree wins by 75 cents.
Tissues
Five Below price: $2
Dollar Tree price: $1.25
Five Below currently lists a 60-count pack of Kleenex ultrasoft three-ply tissue for $2 and Dollar Tree sells 64-count pack of Scotties everyday comfort two-ply for $1.25.
Different brands and ply counts, sure, but both do the same basic job. Dollar Tree’s offering saves you 75 cents, while also giving you four more tissues per box.
The Bottom Line
Buying one of each of these five everyday necessities costs $15 at Five Below, versus $6.75 at Dollar Tree — that’s a difference of $8.25 or approximately 55%.
That’s a significant gap for a five-item restock, especially at a moment when shoppers are hitting up discount retailers more and more for the essential must-haves of daily life. Recent reporting from Reuters found that Dollar Tree and other dollar-store chains are seeing stronger demand as consumers look for cheaper ways to cover household needs amid higher food and fuel costs. If you’re looking to shave several dollars of your shopping runs, always be sure to check the discount retailers — and then compare their costs to save even more.
Editor’s note: Prices and availability are subject to change.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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