As a member of both Costco and Sam’s Club, I often find myself wondering—which warehouse club truly offers the best deals? To settle the debate, I decided to do a price check of the food and drink prices at both retailers. I went aisle by aisle, comparing costs of everyday food items to find out once and for all: Is Costco or Sam’s Club cheaper? Here’s what I discovered.
Milk
Milk is cheaper at Costco, where a gallon costs $2.49. At Sam’s Club, the same gallon is priced higher at $3.58.
Martin’s Potato Bread
Martin’s Potato Bread is cheaper at Costco than at Sam’s Club. A bag with 16 rolls cost $6.89 at Costco, while the same bag is $7.12 at Sam’s Club. Even though the price difference is small, frequent buyers will appreciate the savings at Costco.
Rao’s Marinara Sauce
If you’ve been following my articles, you know I’m a big fan of Rao’s marinara sauce and always on the lookout for the best deal. At Costco, a two-pack of 28 oz. jars costs $11.89, while at Sam’s Club, a two-pack of 22 oz. jars is $9.42. Since the jar sizes differ, a quick price-per-ounce comparison shows that both come out to 21 cents per ounce—meaning there’s no real price difference between the two stores. However, I prefer the larger jars, so I always buy mine at Costco.
Quaker Oats
We go through a lot of oatmeal in my house, I was glad to see that both Costco and Sam’s Club offer the same price for Quaker Oats. A 10 pound box of Quaker Oats is priced at $9.99 at Costco, while Sam’s Club offers the same box for $9.98. The difference is just a penny.
Just Bare Chicken Tenders
If you’ve followed my articles, you know that Just Bare chicken tenders are my go-to (they taste just like Chick-fil-A!) At Costco, a 4 pound bag costs $17.99, while at Sam’s Club, the bag is smaller at 3 pounds and costs $13.48.
When broken down by price per pound, Costco’s tenders cost $4.50 per pound, while Sam’s Club’s cost $4.49 per pound—essentially the same price. However, Sam’s Club’s smaller bag is a better buy if you have limited freezer space.
Chicken Pot Pie
The chicken pot pies at Costco and Sam’s Club are similarly priced. Costco’s chicken pot pie is $3.99 per pound, while Sam’s Club sells theirs for $3.78 per pound. Although both are good, my family prefers the Costco version. It has a more flavorful and well-seasoned filling, while Sam’s Club’s version leans a bit more on the bland side.
Canned Corn
It’s cheaper to buy canned whole kernel corn from Costco than at Sam’s Club. A 12 can case sells for $10.99, bringing the cost per can to 92 cents. Meanwhile, Sam’s Club sells an 8 can case for $7.78, which works out to 97 cents per can.
Poland Spring Water
When it comes to buying Poland Spring bottled water, Sam’s Club has the better deal. A 40 pack of 16.9 oz bottles costs $6.48 at Sam’s Club, compared to $7.49 for the same case at Costco. Check out Costco vs Sam’s Club: 14 Major Differences You Should Know About
Spam
Spam is more expensive at Costco than at Sam’s Club. A case of eight cans costs $24.39 at Costco, while Sam’s Club sells the same 8 pack for $23.88. If you’re stocking up on Spam, Sam’s Club is the better place to buy it. Check out 26 Things I Never Pay Full Price at Costco
Goldfish Crackers
Goldfish crackers are cheaper at Sam’s Club than at Costco. A 66 oz. case costs $11.82 at Sam’s Club, while the same case is $12.59 at Costco. While the price difference isn’t huge, frequent buyers can save a little extra by shopping at Sam’s Club. Check out 25 Easy Costco Frozen Food Staples
Season Sardines
If you’re a fan of Season sardines, you’ll find them cheaper at Sam’s Club. A 5 pack costs $10.98 at Sam’s Club, while at Costco, the same pack is priced at $11.99. If you’re a frequent buyer of Season sardines, you should buy them at Sam’s Club, the savings will add up. Check out 17 Costco Meals Cheaper than Restaurant Take Out to Save You Money
GoGo Squeeze
If your family enjoys GoGo Squeeze apple sauce pouches, you’ll find that Sam’s Club has a better deal. A case of 32 pouches at Sam’s Club costs $15.98, which breaks down to 49 cents per pouch. While at Costco, a case of 28 pouches costs $14.99, equating to 53 cents per pouch.
Even though Sam’s Club is cheaper, one advantage of buying GoGo Squeeze at Costco is the variety. Costco’s case comes with 4 different flavors, while Sam’s Club case comes with only one flavor (plain apple sauce). If your child likes the other flavors, it might be worth paying the extra dollar at Costco. Check out My Kids Got the Flu and I was Glad I Stocked Up on These 22 Things from Costco
White Claw
If you’re a fan of White Claw, you should buy it at Sam’s Club, it’s cheaper there. A case of 34 cans costs $32.46 at Sam’s Club, while at Costco, a case is $34.99. The price difference may seem small, but it adds up to a savings of $2.53 per case at Sam’s Club. Check out 28 Things I Always Buy at Costco
Stella Artois
For Stella Artois beer, Sam’s Club is also cheaper. A case of 24 bottles is priced at $29.46 at Sam’s Club, while the same case at Costco costs $32.99. That’s a $3.50 difference! Definitely buy Stella Artois at Sam’s Club. Check out 10 Costco Shopping Mistakes that Waste Money for Couples and Small Families
Bush’s Baked Beans
Bush’s Baked Beans are slightly cheaper at Costco than at Sam’s Club. A case of 8 cans costs $10.49 at Costco, while at Sam’s Club, the same case is priced at $10.98. You’ll save a little by buying it from Costco. Check out 24 Best Kirkland Products I Always Buy at Costco
Barilla Pasta
Both Costco and Sam’s Club sell Barilla Penne Pasta, but it’s hard to make a direct comparison because the quantities and pricing differ. At Costco, you can buy an 8 pound box for $10.49, while at Sam’s Club, you get a 6 pound box for $8.52. When you do the math, this works out to $1.31 per pound at Costco and $1.42 per pound at Sam’s Club- making Costco the cheaper place to buy it. Check out 21 Best Bulk Buys from Costco that Will Last You All Year (and Save You Money)
Olive Oil
Olive oil is another product where pricing is nearly identical. Costco sells a 3 liter bottle of Kirkland Signature olive oil for $27.99, while Sam’s Club offers a 3 liter bottle of Member’s Mark olive oil for $27.98. With just a one cent difference, shoppers can choose based on convenience rather than price. Check out 18 Easy Meals from Costco for When You’re Too Lazy to Cook
Private Label Bottled Water
Both Costco and Sam’s Club’s private-label bottled water are nearly identical in prices. A 40 pack of 16.9 oz bottles costs $3.99 at Costco, while Sam’s Club’s Member’s Mark 40 pack is $3.98. With just a one cent difference, the choice comes down to convenience. Check out 23 Costco Items that are a Total Waste of Money for Small Households
Kraft Mac & Cheese
If you’re stocking up on Kraft Mac & Cheese, you’ll pay virtually the same price at either store. A case of 18 boxes costs $14.99 at Costco, while Sam’s Club sells it for $14.96. The three cent difference is negligible, making this another item where convenience is the deciding factor. Check out 19 Surprising Things You Can Buy at Costco
Pirate’s Booty
If you’re a frequent buyer of Pirate’s Booty, you’ll find the price nearly identical at both stores. A case of 40 lunch-size bags costs $13.49 at Costco and $13.38 at Sam’s Club, just an 11 cent difference. Check out I Spend $1000 a Month at Costco, here are 22 Costco Pantry Items I Buy Again and Again
Goya Kidney Beans
There’s little price difference when it comes to Goya kidney beans. At Costco, an 8 can case costs $8.39, while at Sam’s Club, the same case is slightly cheaper at $8.28. Check out 22 Prepared Foods You Can Only Find at Sam’s Club (not at Costco)