Costco vs Sam’s vs. BJ’s: Warehouse Club Price Comparison

Published on September 23, 2015 by Lauren
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  • Warehouse Club Price Comparison: Costco vs. Sam’s Club vs. BJ’s – which store is cheaper? I’m definitely a fan of warehouse club stores for many products (although not everything), but for lot’s of items, they can be great. But if you live in an area that has the big 3 warehouse club stores, Costco, Sam’s Club, and BJ’s, how do you know which is cheaper? That’s why I put together this Costco vs. Sam’s vs. Bj’s Warehouse Club Price Comparison of commonly purchased items. I hope it helps!!

    costco vs. sam's vs. bj's

    Costco vs. Sam’s vs. BJ’s

    Have you ever wondered which store was cheaper? Costco vs. Sam’s vs. BJ’s – it’s a price comparison I’ve always wanted to do. So I took the time to go through these huge warehouse stores and compare prices to find the best deals on staple items.

    Today I am going to take your through all three stores to compare the exact same products. We will see through this in depth look which store really is least expensive! Clark Howard posted the first few items in this Costco vs. Sam’s vs. BJ’s warehouse club price comparison, but this post has the complete list!

    Keep in mind that prices vary per city, so this is just a general look at the price comparison between stores. Also, if the item was on sale when we gathered prices then we still used the regular price. Use these prices for everyday shopping and rock those deals when they come around!

    If you want to see how some other common store prices, you can see my in depth report on Aldi vs. Walmart or Walmart vs. Target.

    costco vs. sam's vs. bj's

    Bananas
    BJ’s – $1.39 (3 lb bag) = $0.47 per pound (TIED!)
    Costco – $1.39 (3 lb bag) = $0.47 per pound (TIED!)
    Sam’s Club – $1.48 (3 lb bag) = $0.50 per pound

    costco vs. sam's vs. bj's

    Green Bell Peppers
    BJ’s – $5.29 (4 pk) = $1.33 each
    Costco – No price available
    Sam’s Club – $5.98 (6 pk) = $1.00 each (WINNER!)

    costco vs. sam's vs. bj's

    Cheerios Cereal
    BJ’s – $5.39 (40.7 oz – on sale when pic was taken) = $0.13 per ounce (TIED!)
    Costco – $5.39 (40.7 oz – on sale when pic was taken) = $0.13 per ounce (TIED!)
    Sam’s Club – $5.68 (40.7 oz) = $0.14 per ounce

    costco vs. sam's vs. bj's

    Jif Peanut Butter
    BJ’s – $8.79 (96 ounces) = $0.09 per ounce (WINNER!)
    Costco – no price available
    Sam’s Club – $10.48 (96 ounces) = $0.11 per ounce

    costco vs. sam's vs. bj's

    Skippy Peanut Butter
    BJ’s – $8.99 (96 ounces) = $0.09 per ounce (TIED!)
    Costco – $8.99 (96 ounces – on sale in image) = $0.09 per ounce (TIED!)
    Sam’s Club – no price available

    costco vs. sam's vs. bj's

    White Bread
    BJ’s – $2.49 (2 pack of 20 ounce loaves) = $0.06 per ounce (WINNER!)
    Costco – $3.99 (2 pack of 24 ounce loaves – on sale in pic) = $0.08 per ounce
    Sam’s Club – $3.58 ( 2 pack of 22 ounce loaves) = $0.08 per ounce

    costco vs. sam's vs. bj's

    Wheat Bread
    BJ’s – $2.99 (2 pack of 20 ounce loaves) = $0.07 per ounce
    Costco – $4.49 (2 pack of 32 ounce loaves) = $0.07 per ounce (WINNER! by a fraction of a penny)
    Sam’s Club – $3.86 (2 pack of 20 ounce loaves) $0.10 per ounce

    costco vs. sam's vs. bj's

    Milk
    BJ’s – $2.09 (1 gallon) (TIED!)
    Costco – $2.09 (1 gallon) (TIED!)
    Sam’s Club – $2.50 (1 gallon)

    costco vs. sam's vs. bj's

    Kraft American Cheese Slices
    BJ’s – $11.49 (4 pounds of slices – on sale when image was taken) = $2.87 per pound
    Costco – $9.99 (4 pounds of slices) = $2.50 per pound (WINNER!)
    Sam’s Club – $7.98 (3 pounds of slices) = $2.66 per pound

    costco vs. sam's vs. bj's

    Kraft Shredded Cheddar Cheese
    BJ’s – $7.49 (2 pounds)
    Costco – no price available
    Sam’s Club – $7.48 (2 pounds) (WINNER! by a penny)

    costco vs. sam's vs. bj's

    Butter
    BJ’s – $8.99 (4 pounds) = $2.25 per pound (TIED!)
    Costco – $8.99 (4 pounds) = $2.25 per pound (TIED!)
    Sam’s Club – $10.18 = $2.55 per pound (4 pounds)

    costco vs. sam's vs. bj's

    Yogurt, GoGurt
    BJ’s – $7.49 (32 count) = $0.23 per serving
    Costco – $6.99 (32 count – Simple variety) = $0.22 per serving
    Sam’s Club – $6.98 (32 count) = $0.22 per serving (WINNER by a penny!)

    costco vs. sam's vs. bj's

    Greek Yogurt, Chobani NonFat
    BJ’s – $4.69 (38 ounces) = $0.12 per ounce
    Costco – No price available
    Sam’s Club – $4.98 (38 ounces) = $0.13 per ounce

    costco vs. sam's vs. bj's

    Greek Yogurt, Store Brand NonFat 
    BJ’s – $6.99 (64 ounces) = $0.11 per ounce
    Costco – $6.99 (64 ounces) = $0.11 per ounce
    Sam’s Club – No price available

    costco vs. sam's vs. bj's

    Eggs
    BJ’s – No price available
    Costco – $6.49 (3 dozen) = $2.16 per dozen (WINNER!)
    Sam’s Club – $7.13 (3 dozen) = $2.38 per dozen

    costco vs. sam's vs. bj's

    Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast
    BJ’s – $1.99 per pound
    Costco – $2.89 per pound
    Sam’s Club – $1.88 per pound (WINNER!)

    costco vs. sam's vs. bj's

    Chicken Drumsticks or Thighs (same price for either variety)
    BJ’s – $0.99 per pound (WINNER!)
    Costco – No price available
    Sam’s Club – $1.27 per pound

    costco vs. sam's vs. bj's

    Ground Beef
    BJ’s – $3.59 per pound (85% lean)
    Costco – $3.69 per pound (88% lean)
    Sam’s Club – $3.28 per pound (80% lean) (WINNER! although the fat content is different)

    costco vs. sam's vs. bj's

    Sandwich Meat – Ham
    BJ’s – $9.99 (2 pounds) = $5.00 per pound (WINNER!)
    Costco – No price available
    Sam’s Club – $6.98 (1.375 pounds) = $5.08 per pound

    costco vs. sam's vs. bj's

    Sandwich Meat – Turkey
    BJ’s – $7.29 (2.5 pounds) = $2.92 per pound (WINNER!)
    Costco – $9.89 (3 pounds) = $3.30 per pound
    Sam’s Club – $9.88 (1.375 pounds) = $7.19 per pound

    costco vs. sam's vs. bj's

    Sandwich Meat – Variety Pack
    BJ’s – $9.99 (3 pounds) = $3.33 per pound (TIED!)
    Costco – $9.99 (3 pounds) = $3.33 per pound (TIED!)
    Sam’s Club – $12.88 (2 pounds) = $6.44 per pound

    costco vs. sam's vs. bj's

    Baby Wipes – Store Brand
    BJ’s – $19.99 (1140 wipes) = $0.0175 per wipe (WINNER!)
    Costco – $19.99 (900 wipes) = $0.0222 per wipe
    Sam’s Club – $17.86 (1000 wipes) = $0.0179 per wipe

    costco vs. sam's vs. bj's

    Baby Wipes – Pampers Sensitive
    BJ’s – $24.99 (1024 wipes) = $0.024 per wipe (WINNER!)
    Costco – No price available
    Sam’s Club – $19.98 (808 wipes) = $0.025 per wipe

    Diapers – National Brand

    Each store carried different brands and different varieties. It was impossible for our team to truly compare these products from the stores we visited.

    costco vs. sam's vs. bj's

    Diapers – Store Brand (We used size 3 in all varieties to get a true comparison.)
    BJ’s – $22.99 (160 diapers) = $0.144 per diaper
    Costco – $38.99 (210 count) = $0.186 per diaper
    Sam’s Club – $34.94 (252 count) = $0.139 per diaper (WINNER!)

    costco vs. sam's vs. bj's

    Toilet Paper – Charmin Ultra Strong
    BJ’s – $28.99 (48 rolls of 209 sheets) = $0.29 per 100 sheets
    Costco – $19.99 (30 rolls of 231 sheets) = $0.29 per 100 sheets
    Sam’s Club – $22.48 (24 rolls of 330 sheets) = $0.28 per 100 sheets (WINNER!)

    costco vs. sam's vs. bj's

    Toilet Paper – Store Brand
    BJ’s – $18.99 (36 rolls of 1000 sheets) = $0.05 per 100 sheets (WINNER!)
    Costco – $14.99 (30 rolls of 425 sheets) = $0.12 per 100 sheets
    Sam’s Club – $17.86 (45 rolls of 220 sheets) = $0.18 per 100 sheets

    Paper Towels – Bounty
    Each store sold a different variety (some Soft, some regular size, some Select-A-Size) which made it impossible for a side by side comparison.

    costco vs. sam's vs. bj's

    Paper Towels – Store Brand Select-A-Size variety
    BJ’s – $14.99 (12 rolls of 144 sheets) = $0.87 per 100 sheets
    Costco – $15.79 (12 rolls of 160 sheets) = $0.82 per 100 sheets
    Sam’s Club – $16.48 (15 rolls of 142 sheets) = $0.73 per 100 sheets (WINNER!)

    costco vs. sam's vs. bj's

    Dishwashing Detergent – Finish All in 1 Powerballs
    BJ’s – $14.99 (100 count) = $0.15 per use
    Costco – $14.49 (145 count) = $0.10 per use (WINNER!)
    Sam’s Club – $13.78 (100 count) = $0.14 per use

    costco vs. sam's vs. bj's

    Dishwashing Detergent – Store Brand
    BJ’s – $9.99 (85 count) = $0.12 per use
    Costco – $9.69 (110 count) = $0.09 per use (WINNER!)
    Sam’s Club – $9.98 (105 count) = $0.10 per use

    costco vs. sam's vs. bj's

    Plastic Cups – Store Brand
    BJ’s – $7.99 (200 count) = $0.040 per cup (WINNER! yes, by a fraction of a penny)
    Costco – $9.89 (240 count) = $0.041 per cup
    Sam’s Club – $10.68 (240 count) = $0.045 per cup

    costco vs. sam's vs. bj's

    Paper Plates – Store Brand, 9 inches
    BJ’s – $11.99 (375 plates) =$0.032 per plate
    Costco – $9.59 (620 plates) = $0.015 per plate (WINNER!)
    Sam’s Club – $15.98 (600 plates) = $0.027 per plate

    costco vs. sam's vs. bj's

    Trash Bags – Glad Force Flex 13 gallon Kitchen Bags
    BJ’s – $16.99 (140 count) = $0.121 per bag
    Costco – $15.99 (140 count) = $0.114 per bag (WINNER!)
    Sam’s Club – $16.87 (140 count) = $0.121 per bag

    costco vs. sam's vs. bj's

    Trash Bags – Store Brand, 13 gallon kitchen size
    BJ’s – $13.99 (150 count) = $0.093 per bag
    Costco – $13.89 (200 count) = $0.069 per bag
    Sam’s Club – $12.96 (200 count) = $0.065 per bag (WINNER!)

    costco vs. sam's vs. bj's

    Toothpaste – Colgate Total Whitening
    BJ’s – $11.99 (5 X 7.8 ounces = 39 ounces) = $0.31 per ounce
    Costco – No price available
    Sam’s Club – $10.79 (5 X 7.8 ounces = 39 ounces) = $0.28 per ounce (WINNER!)

    costco vs. sam's vs. bj's

    Toothpaste – Colgate Optic White
    BJ’s – $8.99 (3 X 5 ounce tubes = 15 ounces) = $0.60 per ounce
    Costco – $14.99 (5 X 6.3 ounce tubes = 31.5 ounces) = $0.48 per ounce (WINNER!)
    Sam’s Club – No price available

    costco vs. sam's vs. bj's

    Razors – Gillette Sensor2 Plus Disposable
    BJ’s – $26.99 (52 count) = $0.52 per razor
    Costco – No price available
    Sam’s Club – $26.96 (52 count) = $0.52 per razor (WINNER by $0.03 on the entire pack)

    The results are in!

    Costco vs. Sam’s vs. BJ’s – Head to Head Unit Pricing Results
    # of Wins/Ties for Best Price
    BJ’s – 15
    Costco – 14
    Sam’s Club – 11

    After seeing the side by side details here in this Costco vs. Sam’s vs. BJ’s price comparison, we can see that BJ’s is least expensive on more items than the other stores. But it was a hugely competitive matchup! It seems to me that it could be worth it to have memberships to a few of these warehouses if they’re close enough to make it worth the drive.

    What do you think about this, were you surprised at all?

     

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