Warehouses like Costco and Sam’s Club help you save money buying in bulk. Both offer a wide range of budget-friendly products, making it difficult for consumers to choose between the two. However, a few items are cheaper at Sam’s Club than at Costco.
To create this list, we reviewed online shopping guides and Costco and Sam’s Club websites. We have arranged the products in ascending order based on the prices at Sam’s Club.
Cereal
America has a special relationship with breakfast cereals. It is a widely popular breakfast meal, and you can buy it at any grocery store. At Sam’s Club, you can buy a 55 oz. Frosted Flakes Breakfast Cereal for $7.88 or $0.14 per ounce. You can buy the Frosted Flakes Cereal of 61.9 oz for $10.99 or $0.18 per ounce.
Sparkling Water
We don’t know exactly when sparkling water made it to our diet, but it has been a great addition. If every time you are thirsty, your thirst is quenched only by sparkling, then you’re in luck. Sam’s Club sells LaCroix Sparkling Water Variety Pack of 12 flavors across 24 cans for just $8.98. It is marginally cheaper than Costco, as they sell it for $8.99.
Pretzels
You always need to add flavor and savory sweetness to your diet. In that aspect, pretzels are as good an option as any. If you are wondering where to buy pretzels that will taste good and be cost-effective, Sam’s Club is your answer. You can get the Dot’s Homestyle Pretzels Original Seasoned at just $9.98 there, compared to $11.99 at Costco. Thus, you will save over two dollars at Sam’s Club.
Salmon
Salmon is a popular seafood nationwide and is almost a staple in the majority of American households. When you want to buy a salmon filet, ensure that you go to a Sam’s Club store. Sam’s Club sells Member’s Mark Wild Caught Sockeye Salmon Fillet with the skin on at $10.98 per pound. In comparison, Costco sells Northwest Fish Wild Alaskan Sockeye Salmon Fillet with the skin on at $22.00 per pound.
Coffee
Everybody appreciates a warm cup of coffee, especially early in the morning. A lot of people prefer ground coffee over other variants, too. You can buy Folgers Classic Roast Ground Coffee of 43.5 oz for just $12.99 at Costco. However, Sam’s Club beats Costco by just over a dollar, as they sell it for $11.98. Thus, when you are really craving coffee for a boost to your day, Sam’s Club is a viable option.
Muffins
One of the bakery essentials, muffins are always in demand regardless of where you shop. If you are in the mood for some muffins as a snack, visit your nearest Sam’s Club. Costco offers Entenmann’s Chocolate Chip Muffins in 20 pieces for $13.99. Sam’s Club, on the other hand, offers the same at just $12.26, making it cheaper by more than a dollar and a half.
Flour
Every well-made pasta or bread needs good-quality flour. However, when you go to the grocery store to buy flour, weigh your options first. You can buy Blue Diamond Almond Flour of 3 lbs from Sam’s Club at $12.48. On the other hand, Costco’s Kirkland Signature Blue Diamond Almond Flour of 3 lbs sells at $12.99.
Cookies
Cookies are an ever-present snack in every kitchen and an essential part of our daily routine. Whether as a morning or afternoon snack, munching on cookies is something we can’t say no to. Cookies are another bakery item cheaper at Sam’s Club than at Costco. Costco sells the 40-pack Nabisco Cookies & Crackers Variety Pack at $14.99. Sam’s Club sells the same product of 60 packs at $14.68.
Sunscreen
Since the summer is fast approaching, it is a good idea to buy sunscreen packs to protect yourself from the scorching sun. You should head over to a Sam’s Club store to buy the Banana Boat Sport Ultra Sunscreen Spray SPF 50 of 3 packs at $16.68. You’ll be able to buy the same sunscreen at a Costco outlet for $18.99.
Milk
Unless you’re lactose intolerant, dairy must be an important part of your weekly diet. If you go to the grocery store to buy around a gallon of milk, Sam’s Club should be your go-to option. At Sam’s Club, you will find the Horizon Organic Whole Milk of 18 boxes at $18.98. You can buy the same at Costco for $21.99.
Baby Wipes
If you are a new parent, you are going to need baby wipes or diapers—a lot of them. It would be a smart decision to stock them up for future use as well. When that is the case, you should pick the Member’s Mark Premium Fragrance-Free Baby Wipes from Sam’s Club over Kirkland Signature Baby Wipes Fragrance-Free from Costco. The Costco one costs $21.99 for 900 packs, while the one from Sam’s Club costs $21.74 for 1152 packs.
Toilet Paper
Toilet paper is an essential part of our everyday routine. From being a necessity in the bathroom to cleaning everything up around the house, any household is incomplete without a roll of toilet paper. The two rival grocery stores—Costco and Sam’s Club—sell toilet paper, but Sam’s Club is cheaper. At Sam’s Club, a 45-roll Member’s Mark Ultra Premium Soft and Strong Bath Tissue sells for $22.98. However, Costco sells the same product, 30 rolls, for $23.49.