Dollar Tree Vs Dollar General: Which Sells Cheaper Candy In 2026?

Whether you enjoy sour sweets, creamy chocolate, or crunchy peanut-studded nougat, candy satisfies many around the country, with the most popular brands varying by state. In fact, a study in Advances in Nutrition found that the average American adult consumes around 8 pounds of candy annually, with children eating even more. With that in mind, have you ever wondered where the most affordable place to purchase all of this candy is? Two dollar store chains, in particular, offer cheaper prices on a variety of candies: Dollar Tree and Dollar General. However, which store is the absolute cheapest is not as simple as you might hope.

Both Dollar Tree and Dollar General are affordable options when it comes to buying single packs of candy (consider warehouses like Costco if you want to bulk buy your chocolates), with prices generally starting at $1 for single items like a box of M&Ms or a small bag of Sour Patch Kids. However, while both stores offer cheap pricing, knowing which one will be the cheapest for you specifically depends entirely on what type of candy you are looking to purchase.

There are several reasons why dollars stores are able to sell food items for cheaper than other stores, but perhaps the most important thing to know is that you can't really go wrong with either store. In fact, price differences between candy items at Dollar Tree and Dollar General tend to be minimal (generally 25 cents or less) as of September 2026. For example, a 3.6 ounce bag of Sour Patch Kids costs $1.25 at Dollar Tree and $1.00 at Dollar General. Meanwhile, a 3.8 ounce bag of Jolly Ranchers costs slightly less at Dollar Tree, coming in at $1.25 compared to $1.50 at Dollar General. Similarly, a 4-piece pack of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups costs $1.25 at Dollar Tree but $1.50 at Dollar General. 

For some candy lovers, either store can work. For instance, a 1.69 oz. pouch of M&Ms is $1.50 at both stores, while a 1.9 oz. Butterfinger bar also costs $1.50 at each. With pricing roughly comparable, it could be worth investigating what customers think are the best candies at Dollar Tree.