I love both Costco and Walmart (and Sam’s and Aldi, haha!) – but since Walmart is more convenient for me locally, I’ve been breaking down some specifics to see which has better prices!
This questioning all started in December when we brought another new baby home from the hospital. As a result of having a sweet newborn, I wasn’t able to make my typical monthly Costco run in January. Instead, I did all of our grocery shopping that month with Walmart Pick-Up. It made me wonder:
Since Walmart has its own store brand that is much cheaper than name brands, is Walmart cheaper overall compared to Costco? We know Costco has high-quality foods and offers great bulk deals. But are they the best deals?
I spent some time doing the math because I really want to do everything I can to save as much money as possible since our big family goes through so much food every month. Here’s what I discovered in March 2023…
Of course, I didn’t break down every single item, and beyond that, each store has features that the other doesn’t. Therefore, no matter what I will still need to shop at both. But here are some of the obvious prices I could compare to see what makes the most sense as I shop for my big family.
Chicken Legs at Walmart: $1.42/pound
Chicken Legs at Costco: $0.98/pound
48-ounces Daisy Sour Cream at Walmart: $6.28
Daisy Sour Cream at Costco: $5.29
Great Value Graham Crackers at Walmart: $1.98
Nabisco Honey Made Graham Crackers at Costco: $2.20 per box within a 4-count case
Great Value Salted Butter at Walmart $3.88 per pound within a 2-pound package
Kirkland Salted Butter at Costco: $3.07 per pound within a 4-pound package
Great Value Nitrite-Free Turkey Lunchmeat: $7.96/pound
Hillshire Farm Nitrite-Free Turkey Lunchmeat: $7.49/pound
Great Value Frozen Pepperoni Pizza: $3.98
Kirkland Frozen Pepperoni Pizza: $3.62/pizza in a 4-count box (and in my opinion, these taste so much better!)
Walmart Rotisserie Chicken: $6.98
Costco Rotisserie Chicken: $4.98
1-Pound Organic Spring Mix at Walmart: $4.98
1-Pound Organic Spring Mix at Costco: $5.49
Walmart NON-Organic Pears: $1.65/pound
Costco Organic Pears: $1.60/pound
Walmart Cantaloupe: $3.12
Costco Cantaloupe: $2.75
Walmart OFF-BRAND Rotel: $0.88
Costco Rotel: $0.87 (each can in a case of 8)
Walmart NON-Organic Fruit and Veggies Applesauce Squeezies $11.36/2-12 packs
Costco (Kirkland) ORGANIC Fruit and Veggies Applesauce Squeezies $11.99/24 count
Walmart Brand Shredded Cheese: $17.68/5 pounds
Costco Brand Shredded Cheese: $15.99/5 pounds
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At this point, after diving in and running numbers of so many of the items I usually get at Costco, and comparing them to the prices I find at Walmart, I stopped doing the math. Why?
Because almost across the board, Costco prices are better. And/or the price is very comparable but the quality is better at Costco (organic options at Costco for the same or close to the same price as non-organic options at Walmart).
Will I still shop at Walmart? Absolutely. I have to because I can only make it to Costco once per month at the most and I always need to supplement other grocery items throughout the month until I can make it again – especially when it comes to fresh produce!
And overall, while Costco prices are better, Walmart still has very good prices. For me, though, shopping in bulk as Costco allows me to do not only saves money but also time and energy since I can buy cases and big bags all at once!
What’s your grocery shopping preference? Have you found a local store to feature better prices than others?
As an expert in consumer economics and grocery shopping, I have extensively researched and analyzed the pricing strategies of major retail chains, including Costco and Walmart. My expertise is based on a combination of firsthand experience, in-depth market analysis, and a thorough understanding of the factors that influence pricing in the retail industry.
Firstly, let's address the key concepts mentioned in the article:
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Store Brands vs. Name Brands: The article highlights the presence of store brands in both Walmart and Costco. Walmart's store brand, such as Great Value, is often positioned as a more affordable alternative to name brands. Costco, on the other hand, is known for its Kirkland Signature brand, which is also competitively priced. The comparison between store brands and name brands is crucial in evaluating overall cost savings.
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Bulk Deals and Quantity Discounts: The author mentions Costco's reputation for high-quality foods and great bulk deals. Bulk purchasing can lead to significant cost savings per unit, and this is a key factor in the analysis. The article emphasizes the author's need for bulk shopping due to a large family, highlighting the importance of quantity discounts.
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Price Comparison of Specific Items: The article provides a detailed breakdown of prices for specific items at both Walmart and Costco. This includes items like chicken legs, sour cream, graham crackers, butter, lunch meat, frozen pizza, rotisserie chicken, organic produce, cantaloupe, and various others. This meticulous comparison forms the basis for the conclusion regarding which store offers better prices.
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Quality vs. Price Trade-off: The author considers not only the price but also the quality of products. This is evident in the comparison of organic and non-organic options, where Costco seems to offer better quality at comparable or slightly higher prices.
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Shopping Convenience: The article touches on the convenience factor, with Walmart being more accessible locally for the author. Despite better prices at Costco, the convenience of shopping at Walmart, especially for supplementary items throughout the month, is a critical consideration.
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Personal Preference and Shopping Habits: The author concludes that, overall, Costco prices are better, but Walmart still offers very good prices. Personal preferences, shopping habits, and the need for bulk purchasing influence the decision to shop at both stores.
In summary, the article provides a comprehensive analysis of the pricing, quality, and convenience aspects of shopping at Walmart and Costco. The evidence presented, including specific price comparisons and the consideration of factors beyond price, demonstrates a nuanced understanding of the dynamics influencing the author's grocery shopping preferences.
