As much as I love them both, TJ's is WAY more affordable.

Trader Joe's only because I have never been to a Whole Foods Store.

whole foods is alot bigger that is the only reason i chose it

Whole Foods.

I prefer Trader Joe's because like colormesticky says, it's more affordable but really, the stores are small and compact. The employees are generally very nice, I just like the whole atmosphere. Whole Foods feels a little pretentious but they do have a wide selection of health foods and really good takeout food.

Trader Joe's is very hit or miss. I could never do my weekly shopping there alone - you never know what's in store. I prefer Whole Foods - plus everything in there is high fructose corn syrup free.

shopping42 I only get to go when I'm in Calif.--we don't have either one here!!!!

I take a trip to Whole Food's once every week, I just pick up some neccesties for the house, nothing extravagent: some milk, chicken, that's pretty much it. I shop at Costco a lot as well. I think you get a way better bargain in bulk. Anyways, there's a Trader Joe's right down the street from the Costco I go to, I decided to have a look inside. I know I shouldn't judge places where I buy food from the feel of the atmosphere, but it just felt depressing.. When I'm inside Whole Foods, theirs color and a sense or vibrancy but when I'm in Trader Joe's nothing jumps out at me and say "buy me." So I left, I think I'll stick to Whole Foods.