Costco vs. Sam's Club: We Compared 7 Pantry Essentials and Found Clear Winners
Buying pantry staples in bulk can save money, but Costco and Sam’s Club don’t always offer the same value.
We compared pantry essentials by price and calculated the cost per unit when package sizes differed. Note that prices vary by location, so what you see in your store may be slightly different. Still, you can use our comparison to gauge which grocery store might offer the better value on certain pantry essentials.
Also Check Out: 14 Best Things To Buy at Costco Under $25 This Fall
Don’t Miss Out: Start Growing Your Net Worth With Smarter Tracking
Read on to find out which grocery store wins in seven pantry categories.
More Shopping: The Best Sam's Club Deals To Grab Now For Fall
Flour
Sam's Club Wins at: $10.18
A 25-pound bag of Ardent Mills all-purpose flour was listed at Costco for $10.98 or 44 cents per pound. Sam’s Club’s 25-pound Member’s Mark all-purpose flour was $10.18 or 41 cents per pound. Though it’s just a three-cent-per-pound difference, Sam's Club still wins this round.
Sugar
Sam’s Club Wins at: $6.58
Sam’s Club’s 10-pound bag of Member’s Mark granulated sugar is $6.58 or 66 cents per pound. Costco’s 10-pound bag of fine granulated cane sugar costs $7.25, a bit more expensive than Sam’s Club’s version.
Jasmine Rice
Sam’s Club Wins at: $20.98
Costco’s 25-pound Kirkland Signature Thai Hom Mali jasmine rice is listed at $27.99 or $1.12 per pound. Sam’s Club lists its 25-pound Member’s Mark jasmine rice at $20.98, about $7 cheaper than Costco’s.
Canned Chicken
Sam's Club Wins at: $11.98
Both Costco and Sam’s Club sell six 12.5-ounce cans of their private-label chicken breast. Costco’s Kirkland Signature chicken breast costs $16.99, while Sam’s Club’s Member's Mark premium chunk chicken breast is $11.98. Sam’s Club comes out on top in this round.
Peanut Butter
Costco wins at: $10.99
For the exact same quantity (two 48-ounce jars), Costco’s listed price of Jif creamy peanut butter is $10.99 and Sam’s Club charges $11.98 for Jif creamy peanut butter. Costco takes the cake on this one.
Pasta
Costco wins at: $7.93 (originally $10.93)
Costco sold eight 1-pound boxes of Barilla thin spaghetti for $7.93, whereas six one-pound boxes of Barilla thin spaghetti at Sam’s cost $8.52. Costco crushes Sam's Club with 99 cent per box.
Black Pepper
Sam’s Club Wins at: $7.98
Costco’s 12.3-ounce Kirkland Signature fine-ground black pepper costs $7.89 or 53 cents per ounce. Sam’s Club’s equivalent is an 18-ounce container of Member’s Mark fine-ground black pepper for $7.98 or 44 cents per ounce.
Final Take: Which Is Better for Pantry Staples?
In our seven-item comparison, Sam’s Club won five categories and Costco won two. But don't just compare prices between these two warehouses. Also consider whether your family can actually finish the food. Otherwise, you're not saving much money if the food just ends up going stale or getting thrown away.
Editor’s note: Prices and availability 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.
More From MoneyLion:
