Between 2022 and 2024, CVS closed roughly 900 locations nationwide. The company has recently announced it will close an additional 271 locations over the course of 2025. CVS clarifies that the closures are meant to optimize remaining stores, and they are not in response to economic pressures. They say streamlining store operations is necessary in light of changing customer preferences and behavior. CVS has not commented on which cities will be closing their stores; however, according to local news sources, dozens of locations have already closed or announced plans to shut down. The majority of these have been in New York state and Washington D.C.
Despite recent closures of numerous CVS stores, the company is going strong, along with its competitor Walgreens. Both stores offer pharmacy services, household goods, and convenient corner store items. But the ongoing question remains: Walgreens or CVS? Which store is better? To analyze the CVS vs. Walgreens debate, one must look at everything the stores offer and how they differ from one another.
We are looking at 25 products (in alphabetical order) at both stores. The goal is to compare select items, while also showcasing how the reward systems work. Let’s take a look.
This post was updated on May 29, 2025 to include the closing of over 270 CVS locations nationwide.
25. Acne Products
CVS Health Acne Control Cleanser: $6.59 (5 Ounce)
Walgreens Acne Control Cleanser: $5.49 (5 Ounce)
Walgreens dominates if you are purchasing acne products without a reward system. However, if you sign up for CVS rewards, you can get 30 percent off on most Thursdays. CVS also offers little sale coupons that mark the original price down, while Walgreens offers 1 percent off for every dollar you spend at the store. If you are using the reward system, CVS wins.
24. Beauty Products
e.l.f. Prime & Stay Finishing Powder at CVS: $4.00
e.l.f. Prime & Stay Finishing Powder at Walgreens: $4.00
When it comes to the CVS vs. Walgreens battle, you probably can get slightly cheaper prices at CVS by using the reward system. If you are not getting a direct discount, you can use your 40 percent off marker at the start of the sale week.
22. BOUNTY Select-A-Size Paper Towels
BOUNTY Select-A Size Paper Towels at CVS (4 Double Rolls): $16.99
BOUNTY Select-A Size Paper Towels at Walgreens (4 Double Rolls): $14.99
If you have to pick a winner in the CVS vs. Walgreens debate for paper towels, Walgreens takes the cake.
21. Bread
Amelia’s Wheat Bread, 20-Ounce at CVS: $2.69
Hostess Classic Wheat Bread, 18 Ounce from Walgreens: $3.99
We weren’t able to provide a brand-to-brand comparison for wheat bread, so this one comes down to personal preference. Though if you want the cheapest option, stick with CVS.
20. Butter
CVS: Does not carry butter
Nice! Sweet Cream Salted Butter 16 ounce: $5.99
Walgreens wins this one by default!
19. Cereal
General Mills Cheerios, 8.9 ounce at CVS: $7.00
General Mills Cheerios 8.9 ounce at Walgreens: $5.99
Both stores carry General Mill’s classic Cheerios. When it comes to price, Walgreens is the better option by just over a dollar.
18. Chocolate and Candy
M&M’s Peanut Milk Chocolate, 10.05 ounce at CVS: $6.49
M&M’s Peanut Milk Chocolate, 10.05 ounce at Walgreens: $5.99
Peanut M&M’s will cost you an extra 50 cents at CVS. However, you can also get some great discounts with your CVS reward system. Those savings will drop the price down, giving CVS the edge.
17. Cold Medicine
CVS Health Multi-Symptom Nighttime Cold & Flu Relief (12 Ounces): $10.79 ($0.89 cents an ounce)
Walgreens Brand Nighttime Cold & Flu Liquid Cherry (8 Ounces): $6.99 ($0.87 cents an ounce)
While both stores carry popular brands like Dayquil and Nyquil, they also have their own brands. Without rewards, Walgreens wins by 2 cents, but CVS offers a discounted price of $8.63 for rewards members. CVS wins the battle of the cold medicines.
16. Dove Nutritive Moisture Solutions, 12 Ounce
Dove Nutritive Solutions Moisture Shampoo (12 Ounce) at CVS: $6.49
Dove Nutritive Solutions Moisture Shampoo (12 Ounce) at Walgreens: $6.49
CVS and Walgreens tie for Dove shampoo.
15. Eggs
Nellie’s Free Range Large Eggs at CVS (12 Count): $6.79
Nice! Grade A Cage Free Eggs Large (12 count): $5.99
Walgreens is the choice if you are looking for the cheapest price, though some may argue Nellie’s is a better brand than Nice! and you get what you pay for.
13. Jam and Jelly
Smucker’s Strawberry Preserves (18 Ounce) at CVS: $4.99
Smucker’s Strawberry Jam (32 Ounce) at Walgreens: $4.99
Walgreens offers nearly twice the size for the same price. Go with Walgreens for all your PB&J needs (*Spoiler: it wins for peanut butter too)
12. Liquid Dish Soap
Palmolive Ultra Liquid Dish Cleaner (20 fl oz) at CVS: $4.69
Palmolive Ultra Strength Liquid Dish Soap Original (32.5 fl oz) at Walgreens: $3.49
When the dishes pile up, head to Walgreens.
11. Milk
Horizon Organic Reduced Fat 2% Milk (1/2 Gallon) at CVS: $6.79
Prairie Farms Reduced Fat 2% Milk (1/2 Gallon) at Walgreens: $3.09
Unless you prefer organic products, shopping at Walgreens for milk will save you some cash.
10. Nuts
Almonds
Well Market Unsalted Raw Almonds (16 oz) at CVS: $5.99
Blue Diamond Almonds Whole Natural (16 oz) at Walgreens: $6.99
CVS has almonds that go for about $6, but Walgreens has a similar product that will cost you about $7. In this case, CVS wins.
Mixed Nuts
Planters Regular Mixed Nuts (10.3 oz) at CVS: $10.29
Planters Regular Mixed Nuts (10.3 oz) at Walgreens: $7.79
Both stores carry Planters, but Walgreens wins the mixed-nuts competition by almost 3 dollars.
9. Oats
Quaker Oats (42 oz) at CVS: $10.00
Quaker Oats (42 oz) at Walgreens: $8.99
Here, once again, Walgreens wins the head-to-head battle of identical products.
8. Olive Oil
Gold Emblem Olive Oil (16 fl oz) at CVS: $10.79 ($0.67 per ounce)
Goya Olive Oil (8 fl oz) at Walgreens: $6.79 ($0.84 per ounce)
CVS and Walgreens offer different olive oil brands. When comparing cost per ounce, CVS’s Gold Emblem wins.
7. Pasta
Barilla Penne (16 oz) at CVS: $3.00
Barilla Penne (16 oz) at Walgreens: $1.99
Walgreens comes out on top by just over a dollar for same brand penne pasta.
6. Peanut Butter
Jif Creamy Peanut Butter (16 oz) at CVS: $4.00 ($0.25 per ounce)
Jif Creamy Peanut Butter (28 oz) at Walgreens: $6.49 ($0.23 per ounce)
Walgreens just barely wins the battle of the butter (peanut, that is). You might save even more with Walgreen’s rewards.
4. Sleep Medicine
CVS Health Sleep Gummies (48 Count): $14.99
Wal-Sleep Z Pure Gummies (48 Count): $14.99
Between Walgreens brand sleep aids and CVS brand sleep aids, you will find the same count for the same price.
3. Stomach Remedies
Kaopectate Multi-Syptom Relief (11 oz) at CVS: $8.49
Kaopectate Multi-Syptom Relief (11 oz) at Walgreens: $8.49
Another tie for the competing pharmacies!
2. Tide Simply +Oxi Laundry Detergent, 31 fl. oz.
Tide Simply +Oxi Laundry Detergent (31 oz) at CVS: $3.79
Tide Simply +Oxi Laundry Detergent (31 oz) at Walgreens: $3.79
Both stores sell the same size Tide detergent, for the exact same price.
1. Water Bottles
Gold Emblem Purified Water (16.9 fl oz, 24-pack) from CVS: $3.49
Nice! Purified Water Bottles (16.9 fl oz, 24-pack) from Walgreens: $2.99
When you need to rehydrate, head on over to Walgreens and save a $1.50.
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