Is Walmart or Walgreens cheaper for prescriptions?


Editorial team Published on

Prescriptions are generally cheaper at Walmart than at Walgreens for cash-paying or uninsured patients buying routine generic drugs.

Price Differences by Payment Type

  • Without Insurance (Cash Price): Walmart frequently offers lower baseline cash prices and features value generic drug programs (such as select 30-day generic prescriptions starting at $4). Walgreens typically has higher baseline cash prices for standard medications.
  • With Insurance: Copays are set by your insurance plan rather than the pharmacy. If your insurance is accepted by both networks, the price difference between the two is usually negligible, though exceptions occur depending on specific plan preferred-pharmacy tiers.
  • Using Discount Cards: Prices can fluctuate wildly depending on tools like GoodRx or RxSaver. A coupon might make Walgreens cheaper for one specific medication and Walmart cheaper for another.