Costco vs. Walmart: We Compared 5 Pantry Essentials and Found Clear Winners
Every November, the same pantry panic kicks in: flour running low, a half-empty sugar bag and that nagging question of whether to hit Walmart or make the trip to Costco. Walmart has built its reputation on rock-bottom prices, especially its Great Value store brand, while Costco’s bulk packages promise savings for shoppers who can handle the volume. Holiday baking and cooking can drain a pantry fast, so the stakes feel higher this time of year.
Whether either store actually saves you money depends on the item, the package size and the unit price, which is why a giant bulk bag isn’t automatically the smart buy. A deal only counts if you’ll use the product before it goes stale or gets buried behind the cereal.
For You: 6 Costco Buys That Can Lower Household Expenses for Months
Check It Out: 13 Unusual Ways To Make Extra Money (That Actually Work)
To cut through the reputation and the sticker shock, we compared both retailers on five everyday pantry staples that show up in nearly every kitchen, from baking basics to the spice rack. Here’s who really wins on the shelf and who’s just good at looking cheap.
Consider This: The Best Walmart Deals To Grab Now For Fall
1. Flour
Walmart: $1.97 (regularly $2.38)
Costco: $19.99
If you're baking at all for Thanksgiving or Christmas, you'll need flour in large supply. Shopping at Walmart, you can get a 5-pound bag of Great Value all-purpose flour on sale for $1.97, or 39 cents per pound. Costco's Kirkland Signature organic all purpose flour is significantly more expensive at $19.99, but you get a total of 20 pounds — making the per pound price about $1.
Even if Walmart's flour wasn't on sale, it would still end up with the lower unit cost. Unless you desperately need 20 pounds of flour at one time, Walmart’s flour represents the more practical purchase and the better deal.
2. Sugar
Walmart: $7.38
Costco: $13.99
Sugar is another baking essential for the holiday season, and a 10-pound bag represents a reasonable quantity if you’re looking to stock your pantry. There’s another clear winner here, with Walmart’s Great Value pure granulated sugar coming in approximately 73 cents cheaper per pound than the Kirkland Signature organic sugar from Costco.
3. Long Grain Rice
Walmart: $11.57
Costco: $15.99
Rice makes the ideal fall side dish. You can also add it to soup, serve in burritos or create a comforting rice pudding for an autumn dessert.
In this category, we actually have a tie with the offerings at both stores coming out to nearly 4 cents per ounce for a bulk bag. Which you choose will depend on how much rice you need. Do you want the 20-pound bag of Great Value long grain enriched rice or the 25-pound bag of the Supreme Rice long grain rice?
4. Pasta
Walmart: $1.36
Costco: $12.99
Walmart's Great Value brand has every pasta shape you and your family could ever need, and a 16-ounce box typically costs less than $1.50. For example, the box of Great Value spaghetti is only $1.36, or 9 cents per ounce. The selection at Costco isn't as varied, but more of their offerings are specialty or organic. The Garofalo organic spaghetti noodles, for instance, are 12.99 per pound, or 9 cents per ounce.
Seeing as this is another tie, let your recipes and personal preference guide your decision. If you need multiple styles of pasta, Walmart would suit you better. But if you lean more organic, then go for Costco instead.
5. Garlic Powder
Walmart: $15.52
Costco: $8.99
Garlic powder is an important addition to so many recipes, including garlic bread, dips, rubs and soups. It also works in a pinch in most recipes if you’ve run out of fresh or jarred garlic.
Both store's offer granulated garlic in their respective house brands, making this an easy comparison. Great Value's granulated garlic comes in a 26-ounce tub and costs about 60 cents per ounce. Kirkland Signature's 15.5-ounce tub of granulated garlic is 58 cents per ounce.
While Costco is technically the winner by 2 cents, this is still a category where you should let your needs determine where you shop. Except this time, if you need the bigger container, you'll be headed to Walmart, not Costco.
The Bottom Line
Walmart is cheaper for some pantry essentials, while Costco offers savings on a few others. That’s why it’s so important to compare prices before you begin shopping and take weekly sales into consideration. Walmart comes out ahead, every time, if you don’t want to buy in bulk.
You may also want to factor in the warehouse club membership fees when you’re deciding where to shop, although many people like their Costco membership for other reasons beyond grocery shopping.
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:
