8 Costco Items That Are Actually Cheaper Than Dollar Stores
Grocery shopping doesn’t have to be expensive. The price differences may seem small at a glance, but if you do the math, you can save more money over time. If you like shopping in bulk, Costco offers great discounts on several household goods.
Here are Costco items that are cheaper than at Dollar Tree.
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1. Alkaline Batteries
Buying alkaline batteries at Costco is way cheaper than at Dollar Stores. A 48-pack of Kirkland Signature alkaline AA batteries from Costco costs $16.99, while a 4-pack of E-Circuit AA alkaline batteries from Dollar Tree costs $3.00.
You’d spend about $36 if you purchased 48 batteries from Dollar Tree. Costco’s price is definitely lower and worth considering if you don’t mind buying in bulk.
2. Softsoap Liquid Hand Soap
If you always restock the Softsoap liquid hand soap brand from Dollar Tree, consider stopping by Costco on your next shopping trip. Dollar Tree charges $1.25 for 7.25 oz of the soap, which is about $0.17 per ounce.
On the other hand, Costco charges $12.99 for two 80-oz bottles of the same hand soap brand, which is about $0.08 per ounce. If you buy at Costco, you’d save almost half the cost in the long run because it’s twice as cheap per ounce.
3. Kraft Mac & Cheese
Is mac & cheese a favorite in your home, and have you been shopping at Dollar Tree? Costco has a great deal for you. One box of Kraft Mac & Cheese costs $1.50 at Dollar Tree. You can get the 18-pack of the same mac & cheese brand for $18.99 at Costco.
If you buy at Costco, you’ll spend about $1.06 per box, saving over $8 on the whole 18-pack. This is an excellent deal if you’re looking to restock your pantry.
4. Paper Towels
Paper towels are a kitchen staple, and it’s only fair to get a good deal when you need to buy them regularly. A 4-pack of paper towels retails at $9.00 at Dollar Tree, while a 12-pack at Costco costs $23.99.
From the math, you’d be buying one roll at $2.25 at Dollar Tree and $1.99 per roll at Costco. Costco wins by a huge margin, especially if you’re buying in bulk.
5. Cheerios Cereal
A 2.2-ounce pack of Cheerios cereal sells for $1.50 at Dollar Tree, which is about $0.68 per ounce. On the other hand, Costco sells two boxes of Cheerios, every 20.35 ounces, for $8.49. This translates to about $0.21 per ounce, three times cheaper than Dollar Tree!
6. Sharpies
One fine-point black permanent marker costs $1.25 at Dollar Tree, while a 32-pack of similar Sharpies costs $16.99 at Costco. The Dollar Tree price is more than twice what you’ll pay at Costco, especially if you want to buy several markers instead of just one.
7. Tide Laundry Liquid Detergent
Dollar Tree sells Tide laundry detergent for $1.50 per 8-ounce bottle. Costco sells the same detergent at $29.99 for a 170-ounce bottle. While the difference isn’t too significant, Costco’s price is still lower and might be better if you prefer buying in bulk to avoid frequent store visits. Plus, Costco is currently running a discount, and you can buy the 170-ounce detergent for $24.99.
8. Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereal
If you like the Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal by General Mills, you’d be surprised to discover you can get it for half the price at Costco. At Dollar Tree, one 3.5-oz pack costs $1.50, about $0.43 per ounce. You can buy a 49.5-ounce box for $8.99 at Costco, which translates to about $0.22 per ounce.
Editor’s note: Prices and availability are accurate as of April 8, 2026, and are subject to change.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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