The Average Price of a Pint of Ice Cream
A pint of ice cream is one of life's simple pleasures, and it is available at nearly every grocery store, convenience store, and specialty shop in the country. The price of a pint of ice cream varies depending on the brand, quality, and where you purchase it. On average, a pint of ice cream costs between $3.50 and $8.00. Budget brands fall on the lower end of this range, while premium and artisanal brands command higher prices.
The price of ice cream has been steadily increasing over the past several years due to rising costs of dairy ingredients, sugar, labor, packaging, and transportation. Despite these increases, ice cream remains one of the most affordable treats available, and there is a product to fit virtually every budget.
Ice Cream Prices by Brand
Understanding the price landscape by brand can help you choose the best pint for your budget and taste preferences. Store brands and budget options, such as Great Value (Walmart), Kroger, and Signature Select (Safeway), typically cost between $2.50 and $4.00 per pint. These brands offer a solid selection of classic flavors at the most affordable prices.
Mid-range brands, such as Breyers, Dreyer's/Edy's, and Turkey Hill, generally cost between $3.50 and $5.50 per pint. These brands are widely available and offer a balance of quality and affordability. They tend to have a broader flavor selection than store brands and use higher-quality ingredients.
Premium brands, such as Haagen-Dazs and Ben & Jerry's, are among the most popular pint-sized ice cream options and typically cost between $4.50 and $7.00 per pint. These brands are known for their rich, dense textures, creative flavor combinations, and use of high-quality ingredients such as real vanilla, fair-trade chocolate, and fresh fruit.
Super-premium and artisanal brands, such as Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams, McConnell's, Salt & Straw, and Van Leeuwen, can cost between $8.00 and $14.00 per pint. These brands focus on small-batch production, locally sourced ingredients, and unique, gourmet flavors. They represent the highest end of the ice cream market and are often sold in specialty stores, farmers' markets, and online.
What Determines the Price of Ice Cream?
Several factors contribute to the price differences between ice cream brands. The quality and source of ingredients is one of the most significant factors. Premium ice creams use higher-fat cream, real sugar, and natural flavorings, all of which cost more than the artificial alternatives used in budget brands.
Overrun, which is the amount of air whipped into the ice cream during production, also affects both the quality and cost. Budget ice creams tend to have higher overrun, meaning they contain more air and less actual ice cream per pint. Premium ice creams have lower overrun, resulting in a denser, richer product that costs more to produce but delivers a superior eating experience.
The butterfat content of ice cream is a key indicator of quality. By FDA standards, ice cream must contain at least 10 percent butterfat. Budget brands hover near this minimum, while premium brands like Haagen-Dazs contain 15 to 18 percent butterfat. Higher butterfat content creates a creamier, more luxurious texture but increases the cost of production.
Brand reputation and marketing costs also play a role. Well-known brands invest heavily in advertising, packaging design, and brand partnerships, and these costs are reflected in the retail price. Artisanal brands may not have large marketing budgets but incur higher costs for small-batch production, premium ingredients, and specialized distribution.
Where to Buy Ice Cream for the Best Price
The price of a pint of ice cream can vary by as much as 50 percent depending on where you buy it. Grocery stores and supermarkets generally offer the best prices, especially when ice cream is on sale or available with a store loyalty card discount. Weekly sales and buy-one-get-one-free promotions are common and can significantly reduce the per-pint cost.
Warehouse clubs such as Costco and Sam's Club offer multi-packs of ice cream at a lower per-unit cost, though the selection may be limited. Dollar stores and discount retailers occasionally carry pints of name-brand ice cream at reduced prices.
Convenience stores and gas stations typically charge the highest prices for ice cream, often marking up pints by $1 to $3 above the supermarket price. While convenient for impulse purchases, these locations are not the best option for budget-conscious shoppers.
Online grocery delivery services have also become a popular way to purchase ice cream. However, delivery fees and service charges can offset any savings, so compare the total cost with what you would pay at a local store.
Specialty and Dietary Ice Cream Options
The ice cream market has expanded significantly to accommodate a wide range of dietary preferences and restrictions. Non-dairy and vegan ice cream, made from bases such as almond milk, oat milk, coconut milk, and cashew milk, typically costs $4.50 to $8.00 per pint. Popular brands include So Delicious, Oatly, and Ben & Jerry's Non-Dairy line.
Low-calorie and high-protein ice creams, such as Halo Top, Enlightened, and Arctic Zero, typically cost $3.50 to $6.00 per pint. These products appeal to health-conscious consumers who want to enjoy ice cream without the calorie load of traditional versions. They typically contain 200 to 400 calories per pint compared to 800 to 1,200 calories for standard ice cream.
Organic ice cream, such as Three Twins and Organic Valley, uses organic dairy and ingredients, resulting in a higher price point of $5.00 to $8.00 per pint. Lactose-free ice cream, made with lactase enzyme to break down the milk sugar, is another specialty option priced similarly to premium brands.
How Much Ice Cream Is in a Pint?
A pint is a standard unit of measurement equal to 16 fluid ounces or two cups. This is enough ice cream for approximately three to four servings based on the standard serving size of one-half cup (about 65 to 70 grams). However, many people enjoy more than a single serving in one sitting, so your actual number of servings per pint may vary.
It is worth noting that some brands have quietly reduced their container sizes from 16 ounces to 14 ounces while maintaining the same price, a practice known as shrinkflation. Always check the label for the actual volume of ice cream in the container, as the size may be slightly less than a full pint.
Is Premium Ice Cream Worth the Price?
Whether premium ice cream is worth the extra cost is a matter of personal preference and priorities. From a purely taste and texture standpoint, premium ice creams generally deliver a richer, creamier, and more satisfying experience. The higher butterfat content, lower overrun, and better-quality ingredients contribute to a noticeable difference in flavor and mouthfeel.
However, budget and mid-range ice creams have improved significantly in quality over the years, and many offer excellent taste at a fraction of the price. Blind taste tests have shown that some store-brand ice creams can hold their own against premium competitors, particularly in classic flavors like vanilla and chocolate.
Ultimately, the best ice cream for you is the one that fits your budget and satisfies your taste buds. Whether you splurge on a $12 pint of artisanal ice cream or enjoy a $3 pint of store brand, the joy of ice cream is universal and entirely personal.
Money-Saving Tips for Ice Cream Lovers
If you love ice cream but want to keep your spending in check, there are several strategies to save money. Watch for weekly grocery store sales and stock up when your favorite brands are discounted. Many stores run ice cream promotions during the summer months and around holidays.
Use coupons and digital rebate apps such as Ibotta, Checkout 51, and the store's own loyalty app to earn discounts and cashback on ice cream purchases. Sign up for email newsletters from your favorite ice cream brands to receive exclusive coupons and notifications about new flavors and promotions.
Consider buying larger formats, such as quarts or half-gallons, when available. The per-ounce cost of larger containers is almost always lower than buying pints. If you have the freezer space, buying in bulk is one of the most effective ways to reduce your ice cream spending.
