Two warehouse giants. Two annual memberships. Thousands of bulk products. And one question every American and Canadian family asks at least once a year — which one is actually cheaper?
Sam’s Club charges $50/year for a basic membership. Costco charges $65/year. But the membership cost is almost irrelevant if one store consistently saves you more per pound on the items you actually buy.
This guide gives you the formula to calculate bulk food price per unit, real side-by-side comparisons between Sam’s Club and Costco on the most commonly purchased items, and shows you exactly how to use a free calculator to verify which store gives you better value — before you commit to a membership or drive across town.
Note on prices: All prices used in this guide are examples for teaching the formula. Actual prices at your local Sam’s Club and Costco change regularly and vary by location. Always check current shelf prices before making purchasing decisions.
The Only Formula You Need
Price per unit = Total price ÷ Total quantity
Where quantity can be:
- Pounds (lb) for solid food
- Fluid ounces (fl oz) for liquids
- Ounces (oz) for packaged goods
- Count (pieces) for individual items
This is the same formula we covered in our unit price calculator guide, our price per pound guide, and our price per ounce guide. The formula never changes — only the store and the numbers change.
Sam’s Club vs Costco — Key Differences Before the Price Comparison
Before comparing prices, understand the structural differences between the two stores:
Membership Cost
- Sam’s Club: $50/year (Plus membership $110/year)
- Costco: $65/year (Executive membership $130/year)
- Difference: Sam’s Club saves you $15/year on basic membership
Store Count and Locations
- Sam’s Club: Approximately 600 locations — primarily in the South, Midwest, and suburban areas
- Costco: Approximately 600 US locations — stronger in West Coast, Northeast, and urban areas
- Canada: Costco has approximately 100 locations across Canada. Sam’s Club does not operate in Canada — Canadian shoppers compare Costco vs Walmart Supercentre
Product Selection
- Costco: Known for Kirkland Signature brand — widely regarded as excellent quality at private-label prices. Stronger fresh food and organic selection.
- Sam’s Club: Member’s Mark brand. Wider selection of smaller pack sizes. Strong electronics and household goods section.
Scan and Go
- Sam’s Club: Has a scan-and-go app — scan items with your phone, pay on the app, walk out. No checkout line.
- Costco: Traditional checkout only.
Side-by-Side Price Comparisons — 10 Common Bulk Items
We will use example prices for each item. Replace with current shelf prices from your local store.
Item 1 — Chicken Breast (Boneless, Skinless)
Sam’s Club example: 10 lb bag — let us say $27.90 Costco example: 10 lb bag — let us say $28.90
Calculation: Sam’s Club: $27.90 ÷ 10 = $2.79 per pound Costco: $28.90 ÷ 10 = $2.89 per pound
Winner: Sam’s Club by $0.10 per pound On 10 lbs total saving: $1.00
Verdict: Sam’s Club edges Costco on chicken — but the difference is minimal. Buy from whichever store is closer to you.
Item 2 — Eggs (Large, White)
Sam’s Club example: 60 count — let us say $13.98 Costco example: 60 count — let us say $14.99
Calculation: Sam’s Club: $13.98 ÷ 60 = $0.233 per egg Costco: $14.99 ÷ 60 = $0.250 per egg
Winner: Sam’s Club by $0.017 per egg On 60 eggs total saving: $1.01
Verdict: Sam’s Club is slightly cheaper on eggs. Both are significantly better value than buying a dozen at a time from a regular grocery store.
Item 3 — Olive Oil (Extra Virgin)
This is one of the most significant differences between the two stores.
Sam’s Club example: 3 litres — let us say $19.98 Costco (Kirkland): 2 litres — let us say $14.99
Calculation — convert to fl oz for comparison: 3 litres = 101.4 fl oz 2 litres = 67.6 fl oz
Sam’s Club: $19.98 ÷ 101.4 = $0.197 per fl oz Costco Kirkland: $14.99 ÷ 67.6 = $0.222 per fl oz
Winner: Sam’s Club by $0.025 per fl oz On 3 litres total saving vs buying equivalent at Costco: approximately $2.53
Verdict: Sam’s Club is cheaper per fl oz on olive oil — but Costco’s Kirkland extra virgin olive oil is widely regarded as premium quality. If quality matters for olive oil — which it does for salad dressings and finishing — Costco may be worth the small premium.
Item 4 — Paper Towels
Sam’s Club (Member’s Mark): 15 rolls × 140 sheets — let us say $19.98 Costco (Kirkland): 12 rolls × 160 sheets — let us say $21.99
Total sheets: Sam’s Club: 15 × 140 = 2,100 sheets Costco: 12 × 160 = 1,920 sheets
Calculation: Sam’s Club: $19.98 ÷ 2,100 = $0.0095 per sheet Costco: $21.99 ÷ 1,920 = $0.0115 per sheet
Winner: Sam’s Club by $0.002 per sheet On total sheets: approximately $4.20 saving
Verdict: Sam’s Club wins on paper towels per sheet. However, many users report Costco Kirkland paper towels are thicker and more absorbent — meaning you use fewer sheets per task. Factor in quality when comparing paper products.
Item 5 — Laundry Detergent (Liquid)
Sam’s Club (Member’s Mark): 300 fl oz — let us say $17.98 Costco (Kirkland Ultra Clean): 194 fl oz — let us say $18.99
Calculation: Sam’s Club: $17.98 ÷ 300 = $0.060 per fl oz Costco: $18.99 ÷ 194 = $0.098 per fl oz
Winner: Sam’s Club by $0.038 per fl oz — significantly cheaper On equivalent quantity: Sam’s Club saves approximately $11.40 vs Costco for same volume
Verdict: Sam’s Club wins clearly on liquid laundry detergent volume price. However — compare loads per fl oz, not just fl oz, as concentration levels may differ between products.
Item 6 — Butter (Unsalted, 4 lb)
Sam’s Club (Member’s Mark): 4 lbs — let us say $13.48 Costco (Kirkland): 4 lbs — let us say $13.99
Calculation: Sam’s Club: $13.48 ÷ 4 = $3.37 per pound Costco: $13.99 ÷ 4 = $3.50 per pound
Winner: Sam’s Club by $0.13 per pound On 4 lbs total saving: $0.52
Verdict: Sam’s Club is slightly cheaper on butter. Both are dramatically better than buying 1 lb at a time from a regular grocery store. Butter freezes well — always buy in bulk from either store.
Item 7 — Toilet Paper
Sam’s Club (Member’s Mark): 45 rolls — let us say $24.98 Costco (Kirkland): 30 rolls — let us say $21.99
Each roll sheets and ply vary — let us say both are 2-ply, 300 sheets per roll.
Total sheets: Sam’s Club: 45 × 300 = 13,500 sheets Costco: 30 × 300 = 9,000 sheets
Calculation: Sam’s Club: $24.98 ÷ 13,500 = $0.00185 per sheet Costco: $21.99 ÷ 9,000 = $0.00244 per sheet
Winner: Sam’s Club by $0.00059 per sheet On total sheets: Sam’s Club saves approximately $7.97 for equivalent quantity
Verdict: Sam’s Club wins on toilet paper per sheet. But as with paper towels — ply thickness and softness may differ. Test both before buying a year’s supply.
Item 8 — Ground Coffee
Sam’s Club (Member’s Mark): 48 oz — let us say $17.98 Costco (Kirkland Colombian): 40 oz — let us say $16.99
Calculation: Sam’s Club: $17.98 ÷ 48 = $0.375 per oz Costco: $16.99 ÷ 40 = $0.425 per oz
Winner: Sam’s Club by $0.05 per oz On equivalent quantity (48 oz): Sam’s Club saves $2.40
Verdict: Sam’s Club wins on price per oz for coffee. However, Costco’s Kirkland Colombian is sourced from Starbucks and widely considered premium quality. If coffee quality matters to you, the $0.05 per oz premium for Costco may be worth it.
Item 9 — Frozen Salmon (Atlantic)
Sam’s Club example: 3 lb bag — let us say $26.98 Costco example: 3 lb bag — let us say $29.99
Calculation: Sam’s Club: $26.98 ÷ 3 = $8.99 per pound Costco: $29.99 ÷ 3 = $10.00 per pound
Winner: Sam’s Club by $1.01 per pound On 3 lbs total saving: $3.01
Verdict: Sam’s Club wins on salmon price per pound. For fresh (not frozen) salmon, Costco’s seafood section is generally regarded as higher quality — but for frozen, Sam’s Club offers better value.
Item 10 — Kirkland/Member’s Mark Organic Baby Formula
For families with infants — formula is one of the biggest monthly grocery expenses.
Sam’s Club (Member’s Mark): 34 oz — let us say $28.98 Costco (Kirkland): 36 oz — let us say $31.99
Calculation: Sam’s Club: $28.98 ÷ 34 = $0.853 per oz Costco: $31.99 ÷ 36 = $0.889 per oz
Winner: Sam’s Club by $0.036 per oz Annual saving (if formula-feeding exclusively): approximately $52
Verdict: Sam’s Club edges Costco on formula price per oz. Both are significantly cheaper than pharmacy prices for comparable formula.
The Complete Scorecard — Sam’s Club vs Costco
| Item | Winner | Saving |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken breast | Sam’s Club | $0.10/lb |
| Eggs | Sam’s Club | $0.017/egg |
| Olive oil | Sam’s Club | $0.025/fl oz |
| Paper towels | Sam’s Club | $0.002/sheet |
| Laundry detergent | Sam’s Club | $0.038/fl oz |
| Butter | Sam’s Club | $0.13/lb |
| Toilet paper | Sam’s Club | $0.00059/sheet |
| Ground coffee | Sam’s Club | $0.05/oz |
| Frozen salmon | Sam’s Club | $1.01/lb |
| Baby formula | Sam’s Club | $0.036/oz |
Based on example prices above — Sam’s Club wins more categories on pure price per unit.
However — this analysis uses example prices. Your local store prices may differ significantly. Always calculate using actual current shelf prices.
When Costco Is Worth Choosing Over Sam’s Club
Despite Sam’s Club winning more price categories above, Costco has genuine advantages worth considering:
Kirkland Signature quality: Costco’s private label is consistently rated among the best private-label brands in retail. Kirkland olive oil, coffee, wine, and protein bars are particularly well regarded.
Fresh food and organic selection: Costco’s fresh produce, rotisserie chicken, and organic food selection is broader and often higher quality than Sam’s Club.
Costco Canada: Canadian shoppers have no Sam’s Club option — Costco is the dominant warehouse retailer in Canada and offers excellent value compared to Canadian grocery chains.
No Sam’s Club in your area: Sam’s Club has approximately 600 locations vs Costco’s 600+ — but their geographic distribution differs. In many West Coast cities and Canadian markets, Costco is the only option.
The famous Costco rotisserie chicken: At a fixed low price for a full-size bird, Costco’s rotisserie chicken is one of the best known grocery deals in America — and it is not available at Sam’s Club.
How to Use RateCalc for Bulk Store Comparison
As covered in our farmers market price calculator guide — RateCalc works identically for any store, any product, any unit.
Comparing two bulk items in the store aisle:
Open RateCalc → “Find Price” mode
For Sam’s Club item:
- Known Price: $17.98
- Known Quantity: 300 (fl oz)
- New Quantity: 1
- Result: $0.060 per fl oz
For Costco item:
- Known Price: $18.99
- Known Quantity: 194 (fl oz)
- New Quantity: 1
- Result: $0.098 per fl oz
Lower number wins. Done in 30 seconds.
Saving your regular bulk item prices: Use RateCalc’s My Shop Items feature to save your most commonly purchased bulk items with their per-unit prices. When you visit the store next time, compare the current shelf price per unit to your saved rate — instantly see if prices have gone up.
The $15 Membership Difference — Does It Matter?
Sam’s Club basic membership is $50. Costco is $65. The $15 annual difference equals:
- $1.25 per month
- $0.029 per week
For most bulk shoppers who visit monthly or more — the $15 membership difference is irrelevant compared to the per-item savings differences. Do not choose a warehouse store based on membership cost. Choose based on which store has lower per-unit prices on the items your family actually buys most.
BJ’s Wholesale — The Third Option for East Coast Shoppers
American shoppers on the East Coast have a third warehouse option — BJ’s Wholesale Club.
BJ’s membership: $55/year — between Sam’s Club and Costco BJ’s locations: Approximately 250 — concentrated in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic
BJ’s unique advantage: BJ’s accepts manufacturer coupons — neither Costco nor Sam’s Club does. A regular coupon user can significantly reduce per-unit costs at BJ’s beyond the already-low bulk prices.
BJ’s also sells in smaller quantities than Costco or Sam’s Club on many items — making it more suitable for smaller households that want bulk savings without the storage burden.
If you live in the Northeast and regularly use coupons — calculate BJ’s per-unit price after coupon versus Costco and Sam’s Club to find your actual best deal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Sam’s Club or Costco cheaper overall? A: Based on per-unit price comparisons, Sam’s Club edges Costco on most staple items at example prices. But your local store prices and specific items you buy will determine which is cheaper for your household. Always calculate.
Q: Is it worth having memberships to both Sam’s Club and Costco? A: For most families — no. The combined $115/year membership cost requires significant savings to justify. Pick the store that wins on your 5-10 most frequently purchased items.
Q: How do I calculate price per unit at a bulk store? A: Divide the total price by the total quantity. $17.98 ÷ 300 fl oz = $0.060 per fl oz. Use RateCalc.in for instant results with any unit.
Q: Does Costco operate in Canada? A: Yes — Costco has approximately 100 locations across Canada. Sam’s Club does not operate in Canada. Canadian shoppers compare Costco against Walmart Supercentre and other Canadian grocery chains.
Q: Is Kirkland or Member’s Mark better quality? A: Both are well-regarded private labels. Kirkland (Costco) has a slight edge in reputation for items like olive oil, coffee, and wine. Member’s Mark (Sam’s Club) has been improving significantly. Try both and decide based on your own experience.
Q: Can I use RateCalc to compare bulk store prices? A: Yes — RateCalc.in is free and works offline. Enter any price and quantity to calculate price per unit. Works for oz, lb, fl oz, g, kg, L — all units used at bulk stores.
Conclusion
Sam’s Club vs Costco is not a simple winner-takes-all comparison. Based on per-unit price calculations using example prices — Sam’s Club wins on most staple grocery items. But Costco wins on quality perception, fresh food selection, Canadian availability, and the Kirkland Signature brand reputation.
The right answer for your family depends on:
- Which store has locations near you
- Which specific items you buy most often
- Whether quality differences on specific products justify price premiums
- Whether you are in Canada (Costco only) or the USA (both options)
The formula to decide: Calculate price per unit for your top 10 most purchased bulk items at each store using current shelf prices and RateCalc.in. The store that wins more of your top 10 is your better membership.
As we covered in our unit price calculator guide — the math is simple. Price ÷ quantity = unit price. Lower number wins. Do this consistently and you will save hundreds of dollars per year regardless of which warehouse store you choose.
Visit RateCalc.in — free, works offline, no download needed. Your bulk store shopping calculator starting today.
Also read: Price per ounce calculator | Price per pound — Costco vs Walmart | Unit price calculator | Farmers market price calculator