Home Depot vs Lowe's 2026: Pricing & Service
Home Depot leads in store count (2,332 vs 2,260), product selection breadth, and professional contractor focus, while Lowe's excels in customer service ratings and offers more affordable entry-level products for DIY beginners.
Home Depot
Largest home improvement retailer focused on professionals and serious DIYers with 2,332 U.S. stores.
Professional contractors, commercial builders, and experienced DIYers seeking comprehensive product selection and bulk ordering capabilities
Lowe's
Second-largest home improvement chain with 2,260 stores emphasizing customer service and beginner-friendly experiences.
First-time DIYers, budget-conscious homeowners, and those prioritizing customer service and ease of use
Quick Answer
AI SummaryHome Depot leads in store count (2,332 vs 2,260), product selection breadth, and professional contractor focus, while Lowe's excels in customer service ratings and offers more affordable entry-level products for DIY beginners.
Our Verdict
AI-assistedChoose Home Depot if you're a professional contractor, need maximum product selection, or prioritize store convenience and delivery speed. Choose Lowe's if you're a budget-conscious DIY beginner, prefer superior customer service, or want a more approachable in-store experience.
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TIE — neck and neck
Choose Home Depot if
Professional contractors, commercial builders, and experienced DIYers seeking comprehensive product selection and bulk ordering capabilities
Choose Lowe's if
First-time DIYers, budget-conscious homeowners, and those prioritizing customer service and ease of use
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Key Differences at a Glance
- Total Store Locations:✓ Home Depot wins(2,332 stores vs 2,260 stores)
- Average Customer Satisfaction (ACSI 2025):✓ Lowe's wins(76/100 vs 74/100)
- Annual Revenue (2025):✓ Home Depot wins($151.4 billion vs $86.2 billion)
Key Facts & Figures
31 numeric metrics compared
| Metric | Home Depot | Lowe's | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of US Stores | 2,300+ | — | — |
| Employees(thousands) | ~465,000 | — | — |
| FY2025 Total Sales(billion USD) | $120+ billion | $86.3 billion | |
| FY2026 Guidance Growth Rate(percent) | 2.5-4.5% | 7-9% | |
| Stock Price (Feb 2026)(USD) | Higher absolute | $275 (current) | — |
| Online Product Categories(count) | 35+ categories | Comprehensive range | — |
| Store Expansion (2026)(new stores) | 12 new stores | Renovation focus | — |
| Product Markup(percent) | 8-12% | — | — |
| Average SKU Count per Store(items) | 35,000 | — | — |
| Same-Day Delivery Availability(% metro coverage) | 2,000+ | — | — |
| Annual Employee Training Hours(hours) | 20 | — | — |
| Annual Revenue (2024)(USD billions) | $151.2B | — | — |
| Total Store Count(stores) | 2,344 | — | — |
| Annual Revenue(USD Billions) | $152.9B | — | — |
| States with Presence(states) | 50 + Canada | — | — |
| Loyalty Rebate Rate(percent daily) | 2.5% avg (10% 4x/year) | — | — |
| Mobile App Rating(stars/5) | 4.1 (245K reviews) | 4.3 (198K reviews) | |
| Same-Day Delivery Coverage(% of U.S. population) | 92% | 89% | |
| Contractor Bulk Discount Range(percent off) | 5-15% | — | — |
| U.S. Store Count(stores) | 2,332 | 2,260 | |
| Annual Revenue (2025)(USD billions) | $151.4 billion | $86.2 billion | |
| Customer Satisfaction (ACSI 2025)(score /100) | 74 | 76 | |
| 2x4 Lumber Average Price (2025)(USD) | $4.98 | $4.52 | |
| Total Store Locations(stores) | 2,300+ locations | — | — |
| Average Store Size(sq ft) | 120,000 sq ft typical | — | — |
| Average Price on 2x4 Lumber (8ft)(USD) | $3.48 per board | — | — |
| Monthly DIY Classes Offered(classes) | 100+ free classes nationwide | — | — |
| Employee Tenure (3+ years)(percent) | 35% of workforce | — | — |
| Contractor Loyalty Discount(percent) | 20% with HD Pro account | — | — |
| Return Window Standard Items(days) | 90 days | — | — |
| Annual Employee Turnover Rate(percent) | 45% annual turnover | — | — |
Sourced from publicly available data ·
Key Differences
7 attributes compared head-to-head
- 2,332 stores(winner)Total Store Locations2,260 stores
- 74/100Average Customer Satisfaction (ACSI 2025)76/100(winner)
- $151.4 billion(winner)Annual Revenue (2025)$86.2 billion
- Home Depot Pro with volume discounts and dedicated support(winner)Pro Contractor ProgramLowe's for Pros with basic contractor benefits
- 92% of U.S. population(winner)Online Same-Day Delivery Coverage89% of U.S. population
- $4.98Average Price on Standard 2x4 Lumber (2025)$4.52(winner)
- 4.1/5 stars (245K reviews)Mobile App Rating (Google Play 2025)4.3/5 stars (198K reviews)(winner)
- Total Store Locations
Home Depot
2,332 stores(winner)
Lowe's
2,260 stores
- Average Customer Satisfaction (ACSI 2025)
Home Depot
74/100
Lowe's
76/100(winner)
- Annual Revenue (2025)
Home Depot
$151.4 billion(winner)
Lowe's
$86.2 billion
- Pro Contractor Program
Home Depot
Home Depot Pro with volume discounts and dedicated support(winner)
Lowe's
Lowe's for Pros with basic contractor benefits
- Online Same-Day Delivery Coverage
Home Depot
92% of U.S. population(winner)
Lowe's
89% of U.S. population
- Average Price on Standard 2x4 Lumber (2025)
Home Depot
$4.98
Lowe's
$4.52(winner)
- Mobile App Rating (Google Play 2025)
Home Depot
4.1/5 stars (245K reviews)
Lowe's
4.3/5 stars (198K reviews)(winner)
Full Comparison
| Attribute | Home Depot | Lowe's |
|---|---|---|
| Number of US Stores | 2,300+ | — |
| Employees(thousands) | ~465,000 | — |
| FY2025 Total Sales(billion USD) | $120+ billion(winner) | $86.3 billion |
| Annual Revenue(USD Billions) | $152.9B | — |
| Annual Revenue (2025)(USD billions) | $151.4 billion(winner) | $86.2 billion |
| FY2026 Guidance Growth Rate(percent) | 2.5-4.5% | 7-9%(winner) |
| P/E Ratio Position(relative valuation) | Premium | 15% discount |
| Stock Price (Feb 2026)(USD) | Higher absolute | $275 (current) |
| Earnings Beat Rate(quarters) | Strong consistency | 18 of 20 (4.1% avg) |
| Online Product Categories(count) | 35+ categories | Comprehensive range |
| Store Expansion (2026)(new stores) | 12 new stores | Renovation focus |
| U.S. Store Count(stores) | 2,332(winner) | 2,260 |
| AI Customer Service(implementation status) | Implemented | Implemented |
| Product Markup(percent) | 8-12% | — |
| 2x4 Lumber Average Price (2025)(USD) | $4.98 | $4.52(winner) |
| Average Price on 2x4 Lumber (8ft)(USD) | $3.48 per board | — |
| Average SKU Count per Store(items) | 35,000 | — |
| Same-Day Delivery Availability(% metro coverage) | 2,000+ | — |
| Annual Employee Training Hours(hours) | 20 | — |
| Employee Tenure (3+ years)(percent) | 35% of workforce | — |
| Annual Employee Turnover Rate(percent) | 45% annual turnover | — |
| Store Ownership Model | 100% Corporate-owned | — |
| Annual Revenue (2024)(USD billions) | $151.2B | — |
| Total Store Count(stores) | 2,344 | — |
| States with Presence(states) | 50 + Canada | — |
| Loyalty Rebate Rate(percent daily) | 2.5% avg (10% 4x/year) | — |
| Mobile App Rating(stars/5) | 4.1 (245K reviews) | 4.3 (198K reviews)(winner) |
| Same-Day Delivery Coverage(% of U.S. population) | 92%(winner) | 89% |
| Contractor Bulk Discount Range(percent off) | 5-15% | — |
| Customer Satisfaction (ACSI 2025)(score /100) | 74 | 76(winner) |
| Contractor Program Features | Home Depot Pro: volume discounts, dedicated support, invoicing, fuel rewards | Lowe's for Pros: free delivery over $45, basic contractor perks |
| Total Store Locations(stores) | 2,300+ locations | — |
| Average Store Size(sq ft) | 120,000 sq ft typical | — |
| Monthly DIY Classes Offered(classes) | 100+ free classes nationwide | — |
| Contractor Loyalty Discount(percent) | 20% with HD Pro account | — |
| Return Window Standard Items(days) | 90 days | — |
Home DepotLowe'sPros & Cons
10 pros·4 cons across both
Home Depot
Pros
- 2,332 U.S. store locations for maximum accessibility
- $151.4 billion annual revenue provides deeper inventory and resources
- Home Depot Pro contractor program with volume discounts, invoicing, and dedicated support lines
- 92% same-day delivery coverage across U.S. population
- Larger specialty departments for electrical, plumbing, and HVAC supplies
Cons
- Higher average prices on basic lumber and commodities (2x4 lumber $4.98 vs Lowe's $4.52)
- Mobile app rated lower at 4.1/5 stars with reported checkout lag issues
Lowe's
Pros
- Higher customer satisfaction at 76/100 ACSI rating vs Home Depot's 74/100
- Better mobile app experience (4.3/5 stars with smoother navigation)
- Competitive pricing on standard materials (2x4 lumber at $4.52 vs Home Depot $4.98)
- Cleaner, more organized store layouts easier for DIY beginners to navigate
- Lowe's for Pros program with free delivery on orders over $45
Cons
- 72 fewer store locations (2,260 vs 2,332) in some rural markets
- Less comprehensive contractor support infrastructure compared to Home Depot Pro
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questions
Lowe's typically offers lower prices on standard commodities like lumber and basic tools. Analysis of 2025 pricing data shows Lowe's averaging 3-8% lower on commodity items, though Home Depot may offer competitive pricing on specialty products and brand-name appliances through promotional pricing.
Resources & Learn More
Curated sources to dive deeper
Wikipedia
- W
Home Depot on Wikipedia (opens in new tab)
Largest home improvement retailer focused on professionals and serious DIYers with 2,332 U.S. stores.
- W
Lowe's on Wikipedia (opens in new tab)
Second-largest home improvement chain with 2,260 stores emphasizing customer service and beginner-friendly experiences.
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