With inflation and ongoing tariff concerns driving up prices, I’ve become increasingly mindful of how much I’m spending on groceries—especially meat. As a member of both Sam’s Club and Costco, I started wondering: Which warehouse retailer actually has the lowest prices?
To find out, I compared the prices on some of the most commonly purchased cuts of meat and fish at both stores. This side-by-side comparison breaks down where you’ll get the most value, so you can shop smarter and save more on your next meat run.
Ground Beef
If you go through a lot of ground beef, the price per pound can make a real difference over time. Sam’s Club offers ground beef at $4.58 per pound, while Costco sells it for $4.99 per pound. That’s a $0.41 savings per pound at Sam’s Club, making it the better option for budget-conscious shoppers who want to stretch their grocery dollars. Sam’s Club wins this round.
Winner: Sam’s Club
Chicken Breast
Sam’s Club offers a better price for boneless, skinless chicken breast at $2.77 per pound. Costco’s price is slightly higher at $2.99 per pound. The savings at Sam’s Club can add up over time.
Winner: Sam’s Club
New York Strip Steak
The New York Strip is a steakhouse staple. Sam’s Club edges out Costco with a price of $13.48 per pound, compared to $13.99 per pound at Costco. The $0.51 savings per pound isn’t massive, but it adds up if you’re feeding a lot of people. Sam’s Club takes the win by a narrow margin.
Winner: Sam’s Club
Chicken Thighs
For boneless, skinless chicken thighs, Sam’s Club is cheaper. Priced at $2.99 per pound, their chicken thighs are a better deal compared to Costco’s price of $3.48 per pound. The price difference is significant enough to make Sam’s Club the better choice for shoppers on a budget.
Winner: Sam’s Club
Pork Chops
When it comes to pork chops, Sam’s Club narrowly undercuts Costco by just a penny, with pork chops priced at $2.98 per pound, while Costco offers them at $2.99 per pound. The difference is so minimal it’s unlikely to sway most shoppers either way. In this case, it’s essentially a tie, and the better choice may come down to factors like packaging size, cut thickness, and convenience.
Winner: Tie
Rack of Lamb
If you’re shopping for a rack of lamb, one retailer gives you a bit more value for your money. At Sam’s Club, a rack of lamb is priced at $13.98 per pound, while Costco charges $14.99 per pound. That means you’ll save $1.01 per pound by buying from Sam’s Club, which can add up quickly if you need multiple racks for a dinner party. Sam’s Club has the lowest price for this cut.
Winner: Sam’s Club
Chicken Wings
When it comes to chicken wings, Costco has the slight advantage with a price of $2.79 per pound, compared to Sam’s Club’s price of $2.88 per pound. While the difference is small, Costco’s price makes it the more economical choice for those planning to cook up a batch of wings. If you’re buying in larger quantities for a party, the savings at Costco could add up.
Winner: Costco
Atlantic Salmon Fillet
For Atlantic salmon fillets, Costco is cheaper. Sam’s Club sells salmon fillets for $10.98 per pound, while Costco sells them at a more affordable $9.99 per pound. If you’re looking to stock up on salmon, Costco is the better option.
Winner: Costco
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Filet Mignon
Filet mignon is one of the most sought-after — and priciest — cuts of beef. This time, Costco comes out ahead, offering filet mignon at $19.99 per pound, compared to $24.98 per pound at Sam’s Club. That’s nearly a $5 difference per pound, which can significantly impact your total if you’re planning a special dinner. For this premium cut, Costco is clearly the better buy.
Winner: Costco
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Lamb Chop
When comparing prices for Lamb chops, Sam’s Club offers the better deal at $6.98 per pound, while Costco’s price is $7.99 per pound. That’s a savings of $1.01 per pound at Sam’s Club — a noticeable difference. If you love lamb but want to keep costs in check, Sam’s Club is the more wallet-friendly choice.
Winner: Sam’s Club
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Beef Short Ribs
Perfect for braising or slow-cooking, beef short ribs are a comfort food favorite. When it comes to price, the difference between the two warehouse giants is negligible. Sam’s Club sells short ribs for $9.98 per pound, while Costco charges $9.99 per pound — a mere one-cent difference. In this case, price alone won’t be the deciding factor, so you may want to compare factors like marbling or cut style instead.
Winner: Tie
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Chicken Tenderloins
When it comes to chicken tenderloins, Costco has the better deal. Sam’s Club prices their boneless, skinless chicken tenderloins at $3.48 per pound, while Costco offers them at a slightly lower price of $3.29 per pound. The price difference may seem small, but for those who use chicken tenderloins frequently, the savings at Costco can add up quickly.
Winner: Costco
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Rib Eye Steak
When it comes to buying a premium cut of beef like rib eye steak, both Sam’s Club and Costco offer competitive prices, but Sam’s Club comes out on top here. At Sam’s Club, you’ll find rib eye steak priced at $14.98 per pound, on the other hand, Costco’s price for rib eye steak is slightly higher at $15.99 per pound.
Winner: Sam’s Club
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Tilapia
When comparing tilapia prices, Costco is the winner. Sam’s Club sells tilapia for $6.68 per pound, while Costco’s price is just $6.49 per pound. Although the difference is small, Costco’s price is a bit lower. For those who frequently buy fish, the savings at Costco will add up over time.
Winner: Costco
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Beef Chuck
When it comes to beef chuck, the price difference between Sam’s Club and Costco is minimal. Sam’s Club sells beef chuck at $6.58 per pound, while Costco’s price is just slightly lower at $6.49 per pound. While Costco has the edge here, the price difference is so small that it likely won’t make a huge impact on your total grocery bill. If you’re making a larger purchase, though, the savings at Costco can add up.
Winner: Costco
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Chicken Drumsticks
For chicken drumsticks, Sam’s Club is slightly cheaper. At $0.98 per pound, Sam’s Club is cheaper compared to Costco’s price of $0.99 per pound. The price difference is just a penny per pound, which is minimal.
Winner: Tie
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Beef Round
Beef round is a lean, budget-friendly meat that works well in roasts, stews, or slow-cooker recipes. If you’re buying in bulk for meal prepping or family dinners, Costco is the cheaper place to buy them from at $5.99 per pound, while Sam’s Club lists it at $6.48 per pound. That $0.49 per pound difference can really make a difference over time. Costco is the cheaper place for beef round.
Winner: Costco
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Leg of Lamb
When comparing prices of Leg of Lamb, Sam’s Club is just one cent cheaper, at $5.98 per pound, while Costco lists it at $5.99 per pound. The $0.01 difference is negligible, meaning price alone isn’t a decisive factor here. Instead, it might come down to convenience.
Winner: Tie
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