Warehouse clubs have changed the way Americans shop by offering big savings when buying in bulk. Costco and Sam's Club are the two biggest warehouse stores, each with their own strengths. The warehouse club industry is expected to reach $771.1 billion in 2025, so picking the right membership can save you a lot of money each year. This guide compares Costco and Sam's Club memberships using recent data to help you decide which one fits your shopping needs and budget better. Both Costco and Sam's Club have two types of memberships: a basic one and a premium one with extra benefits. Gold Star Membership Yearly cost: $65 What you get: Shop at all Costco stores worldwide Shop on Costco.com Free card for a family member Access to Costco services Executive Membership Yearly cost: $130 (twice the Gold Star price) What you get: Everything in Gold Star membership 2% cash back on most Costco purchases (up to $1,250 per year) Extra discounts on Costco services Special offers on some services Business Membership Available at both price levels Lets you buy items to resell Option to add more cardholders Club Membership Yearly cost: $50 What you get: Shop at all Sam's Club stores Shop on samsclub.com Free card for a family member Scan & Go™ app for easier checkout Cheaper gas prices Add up to 8 more members at $45 each Plus Membership Yearly cost: $110 What you get: Everything in Club membership 2% cash back on most purchases (up to $500 yearly) Free shipping on most online orders Free pickup at the store Shop earlier than regular members Pharmacy and eyeglasses discounts Add up to 16 more members Main Point: Sam's Club is cheaper across all membership types, with the basic membership costing 30% less than Costco's. What This Means: Both premium memberships give the same 2% cash-back rate, but Costco's yearly limit is 2.5 times higher than Sam's Club's. If you spend a lot, Costco could give you more rewards. But you'd need to spend over $25,000 a year to go over Sam's Club's $500 limit, which most people won't reach. Research shows that prices vary depending on what you're buying: When comparing 25 common items: Sam's Club had lower prices on 10 items Costco had lower prices on 8 items 6 items had the same price When comparing 20 store-brand items: Sam's Club had lower prices on 9 items Costco had lower prices on 6 items 5 items had the same price General Trend: Sam's Club tends to have slightly lower prices overall, especially on packaged foods and everyday basics. Costco often offers higher quality, especially on fresh foods and their Kirkland Signature products. Both stores have their own brands that save you money compared to name brands: Main Point: Sam's Club typically offers more variety and slightly lower prices, while Costco focuses on higher quality and organic options. Both clubs offer cheaper gas at their gas stations: Both clubs offer big gas savings that can pay for a good part of the membership fee if you drive regularly. Payment Flexibility: Sam's Club takes all major credit cards in-store, while Costco only takes Visa credit cards in-store (though you can use other cards on Costco.com). Digital Experience: Sam's Club offers a more connected digital shopping experience with features like Scan & Go™ and store pickup, while Costco focuses more on traditional in-store shopping with online delivery options.Introduction
Costco vs. Sam's Club Membership Costs
Costco Memberships
Sam's Club Memberships
Membership Type Costco Sam's Club Difference Basic $65 $50 $15 cheaper at Sam's Premium $130 $110 $20 cheaper at Sam's Extra Members $65 each $45 each $20 cheaper at Sam's Costco vs. Sam's Club Cash-Back Rewards
Feature Costco Executive Sam's Club Plus Cash-Back Rate 2% on most purchases 2% on most purchases Yearly Limit $1,250 $500 What Counts Most in-store, online and Costco Travel purchases Most in-store and online purchases Costco vs. Sam's Club Product Prices and Selection
Price Differences by Category
Category Better Prices Notes Packaged Foods Sam's Club About 10% cheaper Fresh Produce Mixed (Sam's won in 5 of 8 categories) Costco has more organic choices Meat & Poultry Mixed Costco known for better quality Dairy Costco Especially milk and cheese Pantry Basics Sam's Club Better on everyday items Snacks Sam's Club Better on name brands Household Items Mixed Depends on the product Costco vs. Sam's Club Store Brands
Feature Costco (Kirkland Signature) Sam's Club (Member's Mark) Quality Very high (often made by top brands) Good Customer Preference 73% of members prefer Kirkland over name brands Good but not rated as highly Value Great quality for the price Good quality for lower prices Number of Products Over 300 Kirkland products Over 600 Member's Mark products Known For Organic options, high-quality items Wide variety, basic items Costco vs. Sam's Club Product Selection
Category Costco Sam's Club Organic Products More choices Fewer choices Total Products Fewer (about 4,000) More (about 6,000) Regional Products More consistent nationwide More regional differences Specialty/Gourmet Good selection Limited selection Name Brands Fewer, carefully chosen More variety Costco vs. Sam's Club Gas Savings
Feature Costco Sam's Club Average Discount About 24¢/gallon less than nearby stations About 25¢/gallon less than nearby stations Yearly Savings (12-gallon tank, weekly fill-up) About $150/year About $156/year Fuel Quality Top Tier certified (cleaner for engines) Not Top Tier but still good quality Number of Stations Fewer locations More widespread Payment Membership card required Membership card required Costco vs. Sam's Club Shopping Experience
In-Store Experience
Feature Costco Sam's Club Store Size Bigger on average Slightly smaller Crowds Often very busy, especially weekends Usually less crowded Layout "Treasure hunt" with changing items More predictable layout Checkout Regular checkout lines, often long Scan & Go™ app lets you skip lines Food Court Bigger, more choices (famous $1.50 hot dog) Smaller, fewer choices Number of Stores About 585 US locations About 600 US locations Costco vs. Sam's Club Payment Options
Payment Type Costco Sam's Club Visa Credit Yes Yes Mastercard Credit Online only Yes American Express Online only Yes Discover Online only Yes Debit Cards Yes Yes Cash Yes Yes Checks Yes Yes Phone Pay (Apple Pay, etc.) Limited Yes Costco vs. Sam's Club Online Shopping
Feature Costco Sam's Club Online Prices Same as in-store (non-members pay 5% extra) Same as in-store Shipping Costs Free on many items, otherwise varies Free for Plus members on most items (orders $50+) Same-Day Delivery Available through Instacart Available through delivery partners Store Pickup Limited availability (few locations) Available at all clubs (free for Plus members) App Features Basic ordering and account info Scan & Go™ for in-store shopping ordering, account info
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Both clubs have generous return policies, but with some differences: Main Difference: While both have similar satisfaction guarantees, Costco gives you more time to return cell phones (90 days vs. Sam's Club's 14 days), which is better for electronics purchases. Travel Value: Costco generally offers a better travel program with more perks, especially for Executive members. Credit Card Value: Sam's Club Mastercard gives better gas rewards (5% vs 4%), while Costco's card gives better travel rewards (3% vs 1%). For purchases at the club, Plus members using the Sam's Club card get a total of 4% back (1% cash back + 3% Sam's Cash), compared to Costco's 2% on the card. Insurance Value: Costco offers more complete insurance options and potential savings, especially for Executive members. Health Services Value: Sam's Club Plus offers better pharmacy benefits with its free medication program, while Costco has better hearing aid services. Recent satisfaction data shows interesting trends: Satisfaction Trends: While Costco has traditionally led in customer satisfaction, Sam's Club has improved recently, particularly with digital features like Scan & Go™. Costco maintains higher membership renewal rates and overall product satisfaction. Recommendation for Budget Shoppers: Sam's Club is the better value for budget-conscious shoppers, mainly because of lower membership fees and slightly lower prices on everyday basics. Recommendation for Families: For families focused on fresh, organic foods and who spend over $500/month at the warehouse club, Costco Executive membership offers better long-term value. For families who want convenience and digital shopping features, Sam's Club Plus is the better choice. Recommendation for Small Businesses: Sam's Club offers better value for small businesses needing multiple cards for employees and wanting payment flexibility and early shopping hours. For businesses buying items for resale, Costco's Business membership has specific benefits. Recommendation for Premium Shoppers: For premium shoppers focused on product quality and exclusive services, Costco Executive membership delivers better value. For those who want convenience and an easy digital experience, Sam's Club Plus is better. Studies show warehouse club shopping offers big savings: Families spending $150/week at regular supermarkets could save: $2,344 yearly at Costco $2,571 yearly at Sam's Club Warehouse clubs typically offer: 15-30% savings on groceries and household items (vs. traditional stores) 30% lower prices at Costco and 33% lower at Sam's Club (vs. major supermarket chains) Gas typically 25¢ less per gallon (saving ~$150+ yearly for weekly fill-ups) To figure out if a premium membership is worth it: How We Calculated This: Break-even spending calculated as extra membership cost ÷ 2% reward rate.Costco vs. Sam's Club Return Policies
Return Feature Costco Sam's Club General Return Time No time limit on most items No time limit on most items Electronics Return Time 90 days 90 days Cell Phone Return Time 90 days 14 days Membership Refund 100% satisfaction guarantee 100% satisfaction guarantee Receipt Required Helpful but not always needed Helpful but not always needed Costco vs. Sam's Club Extra Services
Costco vs. Sam's Club Travel Deals
Feature Costco Travel Sam's Club Travel Vacation Packages Many options with extra perks Basic options at lower prices Car Rentals Good rates with free additional driver Discounted rates Cruise Benefits Onboard credits, upgrades, Costco gift cards Limited cruise benefits Premium Member Bonus 2% reward on eligible travel purchases No special travel bonuses for Plus Travel Insurance Three plan options with good coverage Limited offerings Costco vs. Sam's Club Credit Card
Feature Costco Anywhere Visa® Card Sam's Club® Mastercard® Yearly Fee $0 (need Costco membership) $0 (need Sam's Club membership) Gas Rewards 4% cash back on eligible gas (up to $7,000/year, then 1%) 5% cash back on gas (up to $6,000/year, then 1%) Restaurant Rewards 3% cash back 3% cash back Travel Rewards 3% cash back 1% cash back Club Purchases 2% cash back 1% for Club members, 3% extra for Plus members Other Purchases 1% cash back 1% cash back Costco vs. Sam's Club Insurance Options
Insurance Type Costco Sam's Club Auto Insurance CONNECT auto insurance (avg. $600 savings first year) Discounted rates through various companies Home Insurance Available with special member benefits Limited offerings Renters Insurance Available Limited offerings Travel Insurance Three complete plans Limited offerings Roadside Help Free for Executive members (up to $75 per incident) 24/7 help for eligible members Costco vs. Sam's Club Health Services
Service Costco Sam's Club Pharmacy Prices Competitive pricing on prescriptions Competitive pricing with Plus free medication program Eyeglasses Eye exams and glasses at competitive prices 40% off additional glasses for Plus members Hearing Aid Center Free hearing tests and cheaper hearing aids Not usually available Tire Center Lifetime maintenance included 50% off tire installation for Plus members Health Screenings Limited offerings Free health screenings, including for children Costco vs. Sam's Club Customer Happiness
Metric Costco Sam's Club Customer Satisfaction Rating (2025) 81 (down from 85 in 2024) 85 Membership Renewal Rate Over 90% (92.7% in US) Not publicly known Average Review Rating 3.3 stars from 112,493 reviews (Yelp) 1.4 stars from 637 reviews (Sitejabber) Member Satisfaction with Product Quality 90% Not specified Employee Rating on Glassdoor 4 out of 5 Lower than Costco Member Recommendation Rate High 54% of employees and customers would recommend Costco vs. Sam's Club: Which Membership is Right for You
For People on a Budget
Consideration Better Option Why Membership Cost Sam's Club $15 cheaper for basic membership Basic Grocery Prices Sam's Club Usually 5-10% cheaper on packaged goods Essential Items Sam's Club Lower prices on pantry basics Extra Memberships Sam's Club $45 vs $65 at Costco For Families
Consideration Better Option Why Fresh Food Quality Costco Better selection of fresh and organic products Bulk Sizes Costco Often larger package sizes Digital Convenience Sam's Club Scan & Go™ and store pickup help busy parents Cash-back Potential Costco Higher limit ($1,250 vs $500) helps large families Kid-friendly Shopping Mixed Costco has better food court, Sam's has faster checkout For Small Business Owners
Consideration Better Option Why Multiple Users Sam's Club Up to 16 extra memberships at lower rates Business-specific Items Mixed Depends on business type Early Shopping Hours Sam's Club Plus Lets you shop before regular hours Resale Options Costco Business Clearly allows buying for resale Payment Flexibility Sam's Club Takes all major credit cards For Shoppers Who Want Premium Benefits
Consideration Better Option Why Product Quality Costco Higher-quality store brand and premium selections Convenience Features Sam's Club Early hours, Scan & Go™, free shipping and store pickup Cash-back Potential Costco Higher limit ($1,250 vs $500) Exclusive Services Costco Better travel, insurance and warranty benefits Digital Experience Sam's Club Easier digital shopping experience Costco vs. Sam's Club: How Much Can You Save
Membership Extra Cost Break-even Spending Costco Executive $65 more $3,250/year ($271/month) Sam's Club Plus $60 more $3,000/year ($250/month)
Costco vs. Sam's Club: Which Saves You More Money in 2025?
Costco vs. Sam's Club: Find out which wholesale club offers the best deals and helps you save more money on groceries, household items and more. Compare prices & membership benefits now!
Both Costco and Sam's Club offer great value through their membership programs, with potential yearly savings of $2,000+ for typical families. The right choice depends on your specific needs, shopping habits and priorities. Choose Costco if: You want better product quality and organic options You spend enough to get the most from the higher Executive membership reward limit You value Costco's more complete travel and insurance services You like the longer warranties on electronics You already use Visa credit cards Choose Sam's Club if: You want to pay less for the membership You prefer a more convenient, tech-friendly shopping experience You need multiple membership cards for family or employees You want to use any major credit card You prefer slightly lower everyday prices on basics and packaged goods For maximum savings, try these strategies: Figure out your potential cash-back rewards based on how much you'll spend each year Compare specific prices on items you buy most often Think about convenience and how close each store is to your home Consider using the extra services that add value beyond just shopping Try both clubs using their trial membership or money-back guarantees Both warehouse clubs give big savings compared to regular stores. The right choice comes down to your personal preferences, shopping patterns and which benefits you'll actually use. Can I shop at Costco or Sam's Club without a membership? Non-members can shop at Costco.com with a 5% extra charge. Some services like the pharmacy and alcohol departments (in certain states) are open to non-members because of state laws. Sam's Club sometimes has open house events when non-members can shop. How do I get the most savings from my warehouse club? Focus on high-value categories like electronics, tires, prescription medications and everyday consumables. Avoid impulse buys, compare unit prices and use member benefits like gas discounts and cash-back rewards. Can I try before buying a membership? Both clubs sometimes offer trial memberships or shopping passes. Both also offer 100% satisfaction guarantees on memberships, letting you ask for a refund if you're not happy. Which club has better customer service? Costco usually ranks higher in customer service ratings, with a 90% satisfaction rate for product quality and helpful staff. However, Sam's Club has gotten better in recent years, especially with its digital features. Is the premium membership worth the extra cost? If you spend at least $3,250 yearly at Costco or $3,000 at Sam's Club, the 2% cash back will cover the premium membership upgrade cost. Plus/Executive members also get additional perks that can provide more value. PrimeWay offers thebest loan consolidation in Houston, helping you save thousands and become debt-free.Conclusion
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