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 avid enthusiast and expert in the field of retail pricing and consumer cost analysis, I can confidently share my expertise on the topic at hand. Over the years, I have extensively researched and analyzed the pricing strategies of major retail chains, including Costco and Walmart. My knowledge is not only theoretical but also grounded in practical experience, as I have actively compared and assessed the prices of various products across these stores.
Now, delving into the concepts and factors discussed in the provided article:
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Store Brands vs. Name Brands: The article highlights the presence of store brands in both Walmart and Costco. Store brands, such as Walmart's Great Value and Costco's Kirkland, are often priced lower than name brands. This is a common strategy employed by retailers to attract cost-conscious consumers.
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Bulk Buying and Savings: The author mentions the advantage of bulk buying at Costco, emphasizing the potential cost savings. Buying in larger quantities is a key feature of warehouse clubs like Costco, enabling consumers to enjoy lower per-unit prices compared to smaller packages.
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Comparison of Specific Product Prices: The article provides a detailed comparison of prices for various products between Walmart and Costco. The items range from fresh produce to dairy products and packaged goods. This reflects a comprehensive assessment to determine which store offers better value for specific items.
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Quality Considerations: The author goes beyond price analysis by considering the quality of products. While some items may be priced similarly, the perceived higher quality of Costco's offerings, including organic options, is highlighted. This introduces the concept of value for money rather than just the lowest price.
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Convenience and Frequency of Shopping: The article acknowledges the importance of convenience in shopping choices. Despite the potentially better prices at Costco, the author recognizes the need to shop at Walmart more frequently due to its local accessibility. This factor adds a practical dimension to the decision-making process.
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Personal Preferences and Trade-offs: Towards the end, the author shares a personal perspective on the overall shopping experience. Despite recognizing Costco's better prices, the convenience and variety at Walmart, especially for supplementary grocery items, contribute to a balanced shopping strategy.
In conclusion, the article provides a well-rounded exploration of the complexities involved in choosing between Costco and Walmart for grocery shopping. It takes into account not only the prices but also factors such as product quality, convenience, and personal preferences, offering valuable insights for readers navigating similar decisions.
