Wondering whether Costco or Sam’s Club offers the better deal? As a member of both, I was curious too. So, I compared prices on everyday household supplies and cleaning products to see which store has the best price.
Bath Tissue
When it comes to toilet paper, Costco comes out cheaper. At Costco, Kirkland Signature bath tissue costs $20.49 for a pack of 30 rolls, with 380 two-ply sheets per roll, totaling 1,425 sq. ft. Meanwhile, Sam’s Club’s Member’s Mark bath tissue costs $22.98 for 45 rolls, with 235 two-ply sheets per roll, totaling 1,254.3 sq. ft.
When broken down by cost per square foot, Costco’s bath tissue is 1.4 cents per sq. ft., while Sam’s Club’s is 1.8 cents per sq. ft. This makes Costco’s toilet paper the better deal. Plus Costco’s rolls have significantly more sheets, meaning you don’t have to change rolls as often.
Disposable Spoons
When it comes to disposable plastic spoons, Costco is the clear winner in terms of pricing. A 500 count box at Costco costs $12.99, which comes out to 2.6 cents per spoon. At Sam’s Club, a 300 count box is priced at $14.98, making each spoon 4.9 cents.
However, if you’re specifically looking for clear spoons, you’ll have to go with Sam’s Club. Costco does offer clear spoons, but only as part of a mixed set that includes forks and knives, rather than a standalone box.
Palmolive Dish Liquid
When it comes to Palmolive dish liquid, Costco offers the cheaper option. However, this isn’t a direct comparison since each retailer carries a different variety. Costco sells a 102 fl. oz. bottle of the classic green Palmolive dish soap for $8.99, while Sam’s Club offers a 102 fl. oz. bottle of Palmolive Antibacterial for $9.98.
Although Sam’s Club is slightly more expensive, some shoppers may find the antibacterial formula worth the extra dollar. If having an antibacterial option is important to you, Sam’s Club is the better choice, as Costco does not carry that version. Check out 31 Best Organic Foods from Costco that Save You Money
Olay Face Cream
If you’re buying Olay Regenerist face cream, Costco has the better deal. A 2 pack of 1.7 oz. jars costs $45.99 at Costco, while the same pack is more expensive at $47.98 at Sam’s Club. If you’re looking to save on Olay face cream, Costco is the better choice. Check out Costco vs Sam’s Club Food Court: 16 Similarities and Differences
Venus Razors
It’s a lot cheaper to buy Venus razors at Costco. A razor pack with one handle and 11 refills costs $24.59 at Costco. While at Sam’s Club, the same pack is priced at $35.98—over $11 more. If you’re stocking up on Venus razors, Costco is the clear winner. Check out Costco vs Sam’s Club: I Compared 21 Food Prices- See Who’s Cheaper
Plastic Cups
When it comes to 18 oz. red plastic cups, Costco has a better price. A bag of 240 cups costs $11.99 at Costco, while Sam’s Club sells the same pack for $12.98. If you’re buying in bulk for a party or gathering, Costco is the better choice. Check out Costco vs Sam’s Club: 14 Major Differences You Should Know About
Venus Disposable Razors
When it comes to disposable Venus razors, Sam’s Club offers the better deal. At Costco, a 15-count pack costs $24.99, while at Sam’s Club, you can get a 16-count pack for just $16.44. Not only is Sam’s Club significantly cheaper, but you also get one extra razor for your money. Check out 26 Things I Never Pay Full Price at Costco
Downy Fabric Softener
For Downy fabric softener, Sam’s Club offers a slight price advantage. A 150 fl. oz. club-size bottle is $13.98 at Sam’s Club, while Costco sells the same size for $14.49—50 cents more. While the price difference isn’t huge, it can add up over time if you’re a regular buyer. Check out 25 Easy Costco Frozen Food Staples
Cascade Platinum Plus Pods
For those who prefer Cascade Platinum Plus Pods, Sam’s Club offers a slightly better deal. A tub of 81 pods costs $22.98 at Sam’s Club, whereas the same tub is priced at $23.49 at Costco. While the difference isn’t huge, frequent buyers might appreciate the savings at Sam’s Club. Check out 17 Costco Meals Cheaper than Restaurant Take Out to Save You Money
Head & Shoulders Shampoo
Sam’s Club has a lower upfront price on Head & Shoulders shampoo, but there’s a catch. A bottle costs $12.98 at Sam’s Club, compared to $14.99 at Costco. However, the Sam’s Club bottle is 38.8 fl. oz., while the Costco bottle is 40 fl. oz. When broken down by price per ounce, Costco’s comes out to 37 cents per fl. oz., while Sam’s Club offers a slightly better deal at 33.45 cents per fl. oz. Even though the size difference is small, Sam’s Club still provides the better value. Check out 28 Things I Always Buy at Costco
Chinet Lunch Plates
When it comes to disposable lunch plates, Chinet is my go-to brand. These plates are thick and sturdy, which makes them perfect for heavy meals without worrying about leaks.
Sam’s Club has a better deal on Chinet lunch plates. A 225 count pack is priced at $17.98 at Sam’s Club, while at Costco, the same pack costs $18.79. If you’re buying in bulk for family gatherings or parties, Sam’s Club has the better price. Check out 24 Best Costco Asian Food that You Need to Try
Baby Wipes
For baby wipes, Sam’s Club is the winner. At Sam’s Club, a case of Member’s Mark fragrance-free baby wipes costs $21.74 and includes 12 packs with a total of 1,152 wipes. At Costco, a case of Kirkland Signature baby wipes costs $19.99 and includes 9 packs with a total of 900 wipes.
When calculated per wipe, Costco’s baby wipes cost 2.2 cents per wipe, while Sam’s Club’s come out to 1.8 cents per wipe—making Sam’s Club the cheaper place to buy baby wipes. Check out 24 Best Healthy Foods that I Only Buy at Costco Because It’s Cheaper
Paper Towels
Sam’s Club is slightly cheaper when it comes to paper towels. At Costco, a 12-pack of Kirkland Signature paper towels costs $20.49 and provides 1,026 square feet of paper towels. Meanwhile, at Sam’s Club, a 15-roll pack of Member’s Mark paper towels costs $19.98 and provides 1,031.3 square feet.
When broken down by cost per square foot, Costco’s paper towels cost 2 cents per sq. ft., while Sam’s Club’s cost 1.9 cents per sq. ft., making Sam’s Club the slightly cheaper option. Check out 10 Costco Shopping Mistakes that Waste Money for Couples and Small Families
Gain Detergent
If Gain is your go-to laundry detergent, you won’t find a price difference between Costco and Sam’s Club. A 170 fl. oz. club-size bottle costs $19.99 at Costco and $19.98 at Sam’s Club, making them essentially the same price. Check out 24 Best Kirkland Products I Always Buy at Costco
Kitchen Trash Bags
If you’re buying 13-gallon tall kitchen trash bags, Sam’s Club has the better deal. A box of 200 bags costs $16.98 at Sam’s Club, while the same size box is $17.99 at Costco. Not only is Sam’s Club cheaper, but their bags are also lavender-scented, while Costco’s are unscented. If you like scented trash bags and want to save a little money, Sam’s Club is the better option. Check out 21 Best Bulk Buys from Costco that Will Last You All Year (and Save You Money)
Clorox Clean-Up
Clorox Clean-Up is similarly priced at both Sam’s Club and Costco. At Sam’s Club, a bottle costs $16.48, while at Costco, it’s slightly more expensive at $16.59. While the price difference is minimal, you can save a few cents by shopping at Sam’s Club. Check out 18 Easy Meals from Costco for When You’re Too Lazy to Cook
Cascade Dishwasher Detergent
If you’re buying Cascade liquid dishwasher detergent, the price is nearly identical at both Costco and Sam’s Club. At Costco, a 125 fl. oz. bottle of Cascade Gel costs $10.99, while at Sam’s Club, the same size bottle is $10.98—just a penny less. Check out 23 Costco Items that are a Total Waste of Money for Small Households
Tide Detergent
The same holds true for Tide detergent—both stores price it nearly identically. A 170 fl. oz. Tide bottle costs $24.99 at Costco and $24.98 at Sam’s Club. Check out 19 Surprising Things You Can Buy at Costco
Olay Body Wash
Olay body wash costs nearly the same at both Costco and Sam’s Club. A 3 pack of 23.6 fl. oz. bottles is $15.99 at Costco and $15.97 at Sam’s Club. However, if you prefer floral or fruity scents, Sam’s Club has the better selection. Their 3 pack includes an assortment of rose, peach, and cucumber scents.
While Costco’s version is infused with collagen peptide, which claims to provide visibly renewed skin in 14 days. If you’re looking for variety in scents, Sam’s Club is the better choice, but if you prefer skincare benefits, buy it at Costco. Check out 15 Costco Buys That Will Make Your Home Feel Like a Luxury Spa
Clorox Wipes
When it comes to Clorox wipes, both stores sell the 5 pack at nearly identical prices. At Costco, it costs $18.70, while at Sam’s Club, the price is $18.78. Although Sam’s Club’s price is a bit higher, the difference is small enough that either store is a reasonable option. Check out My Kids Got the Flu and I was Glad I Stocked Up on These 22 Things from Costco
Sensodyne Toothpaste
Sensodyne is our family’s go-to toothpaste, so I’m always on the lookout for the best deals. At Costco, a 4 pack of 6.5 oz tubes costs $25.99, while at Sam’s Club, it’s priced slightly lower at $25.86. The difference is minimal. Check out 22 Prepared Foods You Can Only Find at Sam’s Club (not at Costco)