How Much do Potato Chips Cost?

Last Updated on December 28, 2023
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

The chips are thin slices of potatoes, fried or baked until crispy. Original chips are fried and salted, but other varieties use different flavors and ingredients, including spices, herbs, cheese, and exotic flavors.

Legend has it that classic potato chips were born from a tiff between a little-known chef and one of the richest people in American history. The incident allegedly took place on August 24, 1853. George Crum, who was half African and half Native American, was working as a cook at a resort in Saratoga Springs, New York US at the time.

During his shift, a disgruntled customer sent back an order for french fries, complaining that they were too thick. Frustrated, Crum prepared a new batch using potatoes that were as thin as paper slices and fried to crispy. Moreover, to take revenge, he poured excess salt on top. Surprisingly, the client, who happened to be the railway magnate Cornelius Vanderbilt, liked it very much.

How much does a bag of potato chips cost?

Basic potato chips in chips bags at your local grocery store will typically cost anywhere from $3 to $7 per bag, but prices vary depending on size. Small bags can cost just $1.25 to $3 per bag.

Common brands such as Ruffles or Lay’s potato chips offer a 24 to 50 package of single-serve bags that weigh less than one oz usually retailing for $0.50 to $1.20 per bag. However, the price will depend on the type of chips and quality of the item you shop, the cost for organic versions being higher because they’re healthier.

You might also like our articles about the cost of potatoes, sweet potatoes, or french fries.

Economagic.com tracked the price of potato chips from 1980 and followed up until now. At the time this article was written, the average cost of a 16-ounce bag was $5.

Walmart.com offers a variety of potato chips from different brands and private label options. Overall, the price of potato chips varies depending on the content brand, size, and flavor. Great Value is Walmart’s private-label brand for potato chips, and it offers a variety of flavors.

For example, a 14 oz bag of Cape Cod Original Kettle Chips costs 31.2 cents per ounce, while a 13 oz bag of Great Value Cheddar & Sour Cream Potato Chips Party Size costs 24.5 cents per ounce.

Factors that influence the price

Brand names

It’s a well-known fact that name-brand potato chips are more expensive than their less popular counterparts. These brands will typically be of higher quality, but there are also exceptions when you can find not-so-known and cheap products of the same quality.

The cost of raw materials

Potato chips are a typical snack that people enjoy eating on the go. They’re made from raw products including potatoes, wheat, sunflower oil, spuds, and maize with prices depending on factors like economic conditions or how much is packaged in each bag/box (price per ounce).

Potato chips details

You can purchase potato chips in various sizes, shapes, and flavors. For example, Lay’s offers 30+ different flavored chips spanning from barbecue to cheddar cheese.

Potato chips can vary in texture and flavor. For instance, kettle-cooked potatoes will be thicker and more crunchy than traditional ones without being too oily or greasy at all.

A customer’s allergies are important to consider when they buy a product. In this case, the ingredient list can be very helpful and will provide them with more information on what exactly goes into each bag of potato chips so that there aren’t any surprises later down the line, like allergic reactions or other negative outcomes.

Some of the most popular brands are Lay’s, Pringles, Munchos, Ruffles, Doritos and Synder’s.

Important things to consider

When it comes to potato chips, less can be more. Read the ingredients for your favorite snack and make sure they’re not using partially hydrogenated oil which is a source of harmful trans fats that will raise cholesterol levels in your body as well as affect heart health negatively over time. Look instead to buy products made with high monounsaturated fat (no more than 10%) like olive or sunflower oils.

Kettle-style potato chips are not washed in advance, so the starch molecules pack on more than usual. This results in a crispier-tasting product with less grease and calories

Baked chips style are generally lower in fat and calories, which can be beneficial when it comes to weight control. However, baked chips are not necessarily lower in sodium or potentially harmful compounds such as acrylamide.

Most varieties of baked chips are gluten-free and vegan, making them a popular food for parties, especially for those with dietary restrictions or sensitivities.

Because they are made from potatoes, chips can also provide more important vitamins and minerals. In particular, some types of healthy potato chips can provide potassium, pantothenic acid, vitamin E, vitamin C, vitamin B6, and manganese.

Potato chips nutrition

Chip review

Based on the information from Eat This, Not That!, here are two examples of the worst potato chips:

1. Herr’s Salt & Vinegar Chips: These are packed with sodium and higher in saturated fat than most other chips.
2. Cheetos Puffs Flamin’ Hot: These are not a great option as they have quite a bit of sodium, as well as fat, saturated fat, and calories.

Here are 2 examples of some of the best potato chips based on customer reviews from America:

1. Lay’s Classic Potato Chips: Lay’s is a well-known brand, and their Classic Potato Chips are often considered one of the best due to their thinness, crispiness, and great taste. They are available in various flavors, but the classic salted version is a fan favorite.
2. Cape Cod Original Kettle Cooked Potato Chips: These chips are known for their crunchiness and robust potato flavor. The kettle cooking process gives them a distinct texture and taste that many people love. They also offer a variety of flavors, but the Original remains a popular choice.

How can I save money?

Bulk buying is the key to savings, for example, you can buy 5 bags at the price of 4. Single-serve bags are a great way for you to save money and help your diet.

Foodstuffs at dollar stores can be a great bargain. For example, some carry name-brand potato chips for less than what you would find on supermarket shelves.

Dealers and retailers who guarantee to offer the lowest prices are worth checking out.

Your favorite brands are always looking for ways to save you money. They might offer coupons in the local papers and on social media, or they might have special sales during certain events like Super Bowl Sunday.

You may be surprised to find that the grocery store brands are just as delicious and much cheaper than what you would buy from name brands.

There are many online stores that offer free shipping when you order from them.