This is the difference between white and brown eggs: which ones are cheaper?

You’ve seen them sitting side by side in the grocery store – white eggs in one carton, brown eggs in another – and probably wondered if there’s any real difference. Is one healthier? Does one taste better? And, perhaps most importantly these days, why is one type cheaper than the other?

Maybe you’ve found yourself frozen in the dairy aisle, unsure whether to grab the white dozen or splurge on the brown, and you’re not alone. Egg prices have been anything but stable, and understanding what you’re actually paying for might help you make a smarter choice.

What makes eggs white or brown?

First, it’s not about nutrition or quality – it’s about the chicken. White eggs come from chickens with white feathers and white earlobes (yes, chickens have earlobes). Brown eggs are laid by chickens with red feathers and red earlobes. That’s pretty much the whole story on color.

So when it comes to what’s inside the shell – same yolk, same white, same protein. Nothing magical happens because a hen has different-colored feathers. The color doesn’t affect taste, nutrition, or freshness.

That’s right, despite what some packaging (and perhaps your neighbor at brunch) might suggest, brown eggs are not more nutritious than white ones. They contain the same amount of protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals. Marketing has a lot to answer for.

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Why are brown eggs more expensive than white eggs?

There will always be exceptions but generally speaking brown eggs will cost more. As I’ve already said, this is not to do with the quality of the egg itself. It’s to do with the bird costs.

Brown-egg-laying hens are larger birds, and bigger birds need more food. More feed equals higher costs for farmers. Plus, some brown eggs are sold as “farm fresh” or “organic,” adding to the price – but that’s a separate issue from the shell color.

So, you’re paying more for brown eggs mostly because the chicken that laid them eats more or the promotional material is potentially misleading you.

As of January 2025, the national average price for a dozen Grade A large eggs was $4.95, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, prices vary significantly across different states. For instance, in Hawaii, consumers have faced prices as high as $9.73 per dozen, while in Florida, the average stands at $6.36 per dozen. In California, the benchmark price for large shell eggs reached $10.35 per dozen as of March 7, 2025.

These fluctuations are primarily due to the ongoing bird flu outbreak, which has severely impacted poultry populations and, consequently, egg supplies nationwide. But now you’re in a more informed position to make the right decision when assessing all the options in the store. And you can educate that brunching neighbor.

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