I compared TJ Maxx locations in the suburbs and the city. The prices were the same, but the shopping experiences couldn't have been more different.

There are TJ Maxx stores across Long Island, from the edge of Queens all the way out to the Hamptons.

I chose this one in Massapequa because it's the closest to my hometown, and I've been to it a few times in my life, though not recently.

I was expecting to prefer this suburban location over the city store, because it's a common belief that suburban stores have cheaper prices and are larger, but that might be a misconception.

I'd estimate that this location, which is spread across one floor, is around the size of a large supermarket.

I've seen plenty of TikToks about how TJ Maxx is the best place to get discounted luggage from popular brands.

While this location did have luggage from name brands like Delsey ($99.99), Samsonite ($99.99), and Calpak (which didn't have a price tag), the selection itself — which took up two aisles of a giant store — seemed limited to me.

I'd ever seen so many in one place before.

This Nicole Miller set of two was priced at $9.99. I would later come across the same set at the Manhattan location, where they cost the same.

This was one of the first tables I saw, and it should have prepared me for how disorganized things were going to get.

The racks seemed to stretch for miles.

There were sweaters, blouses, T-shirts, and more in this one rack, and they were of all sizes.

I often get overwhelmed by the sheer volume of clothes available at stores like TJ Maxx and Marshalls, and this visit was no different.

I've been on the hunt for a blow-dryer brush like this, though I wasn't willing to spend $599 on the Dyson equivalent.

This brush retails for anywhere between $93 and $108 online, but at TJ Maxx it cost $79.99. I snapped it up immediately.

This hair waver had some sticky residue on the packaging.

In describing my experience, it might seem like I'm jumping from section to section — without any discernible link between them — but that's what shopping at TJ Maxx felt like. Everywhere I looked, there was something else that caught my eye.

An entire corner of the store was dedicated to beauty and haircare.

I could see myself digging through these shelves for hours to find the best products.

It was almost like Jenga.

However, it was interesting to see some fun movie-themed palettes, like these ones from "The Matrix" and "The Grinch."

I get it — you want to get a good look at the makeup you might buy, and there were no samples to look at. But it's not great imagining that someone has picked over your eyeshadow.

TJ Maxx has not responded to Business Insider's request for comment on its displays at this store.

It was mainly sneakers or neutral-colored booties. I was also surprised that I only recognized Nike among the brands.

These tables were filled with wrapping paper ($3.99) and various gift sets.

I've never seen so many.

These were pretty cute.

It was nothing compared to the Christmas section, but it was still nice to see an acknowledgment of other holidays.

Nearby, I also saw kitchen appliances and cookware, like a Nespresso machine for $159.99, which is $5 cheaper than on Amazon.

I spotted a Hydro Flask for $29.99. Normally, they're at least $30.

They were priced at $24.99. Stanleys are usually at least $35.

There were boxes everywhere. Some of that can be attributed to the holiday season, I'm sure, but it wasn't the most aesthetically pleasing shopping experience.

This TJ Maxx, which is next to a Trader Joe's, is spread across two floors: a ground-floor level and a basement level.

The ground floor is just two sections: luggage and beauty. Everything else — plus more beauty — is downstairs.

It was largely similar — I found the same Calpak suitcase, although this time with a price tag ($99.99). Online they can be over $200.

There were luggage tags, travel blankets, and more.

It was very intuitive to have these things together, unlike the randomness I experienced at the Long Island location.

I noticed a Michael Kors purse for $59.99.

I couldn't tell you if the selection was the same, because it was impossible to go through it all on Long Island.

In addition, the shelves weren't over-crowded with items, so I could see everything.

It's becoming more common to see things locked behind glass as shoplifting increases in New York City, according to a November 2023 study by the Council on Criminal Justice.

This blush had been broken and made a mess all over the display.

The basement level was where most of the inventory was, including clothes, housewares, kitchen items, electronics, jewelry, the registers, and more.

It was around twice the size of the ground floor.

Much like the Long Island location, there were tables filled with items. But these tables were bigger, making it easier to see what was available.

I didn't see anything for Hanukkah.

I didn't see any of those on Long Island.

Someone had stacked other things on top, but there it was.

It was more crammed in at the city location, but I thought the level of disorganization was the same.

I couldn't get a good look at the price of these.

These boots were $24.99. They are sold out on the Crocs' online store, where they were originally around $75.

Paying $39.99 for almost any sneaker would be a good deal, but Reeboks can set you back $75.

The Hydrapeaks were the same price.

I was surprised to find the prices at both locations were the same, as I expected items to be more expensive in the city. Without lower prices in the suburbs, I don't think there's any reason for urban residents to make the journey to a suburban TJ Maxx.

I also preferred the inventory at the Manhattan location; there were more recognizable brands and it was more organized than its suburban counterpart.

However, overall, I spotted some great items and deals, and I'll definitely be adding TJ Maxx to my regular shopping rotation.