Introduction
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.
Costco vs. Sam's Club Membership Costs
Both Costco and Sam's Club have two types of memberships: a basic one and a premium one with extra benefits. 
Costco Memberships
Gold Star Membership
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Yearly cost: $65
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What you get:
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Shop at all Costco stores worldwide
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Shop on Costco.com
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Free card for a family member
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Access to Costco services
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Executive Membership
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Yearly cost: $130 (twice the Gold Star price)
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What you get:
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Everything in Gold Star membership
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2% cash back on most Costco purchases (up to $1,250 per year)
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Extra discounts on Costco services
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Special offers on some services
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Business Membership
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Available at both price levels
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Lets you buy items to resell
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Option to add more cardholders
Sam's Club Memberships
Club Membership
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Yearly cost: $50
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What you get:
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Shop at all Sam's Club stores
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Shop on samsclub.com
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Free card for a family member
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Scan & Go™ app for easier checkout
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Cheaper gas prices
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Add up to 8 more members at $45 each
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Plus Membership
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Yearly cost: $110
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What you get:
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Everything in Club membership
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2% cash back on most purchases (up to $500 yearly)
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Free shipping on most online orders
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Free pickup at the store
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Shop earlier than regular members
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Pharmacy and eyeglasses discounts
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Add up to 16 more members
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| 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 |
Main Point: Sam's Club is cheaper across all membership types, with the basic membership costing 30% less than Costco'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 |
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.
Costco vs. Sam's Club Product Prices and Selection
Price Differences by Category
Research shows that prices vary depending on what you're buying:
| 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 |
When comparing 25 common items:
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Sam's Club had lower prices on 10 items
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Costco had lower prices on 8 items
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6 items had the same price
When comparing 20 store-brand items:
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Sam's Club had lower prices on 9 items
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Costco had lower prices on 6 items
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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.
Costco vs. Sam's Club Store Brands
Both stores have their own brands that save you money compared to name 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 |
Main Point: Sam's Club typically offers more variety and slightly lower prices, while Costco focuses on higher quality and organic options.
Costco vs. Sam's Club Gas Savings
Both clubs offer cheaper gas at their gas stations:
| 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 |
Both clubs offer big gas savings that can pay for a good part of the membership fee if you drive regularly.
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 |
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).
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 |
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.
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Costco vs. Sam's Club Return Policies
Both clubs have generous return policies, but with some differences:
| 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 |
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.
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 |
Travel Value: Costco generally offers a better travel program with more perks, especially for Executive members.
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 |
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.
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 |
Insurance Value: Costco offers more complete insurance options and potential savings, especially for Executive 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 |
Health Services Value: Sam's Club Plus offers better pharmacy benefits with its free medication program, while Costco has better hearing aid services.
Costco vs. Sam's Club Customer Happiness
Recent satisfaction data shows interesting trends:
| 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 |
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.
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 |
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.
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 |
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.
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 |
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.
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 |
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.
Costco vs. Sam's Club: How Much Can You Save
Studies show warehouse club shopping offers big savings: 
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Families spending $150/week at regular supermarkets could save:
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$2,344 yearly at Costco
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$2,571 yearly at Sam's Club
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Warehouse clubs typically offer:
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15-30% savings on groceries and household items (vs. traditional stores)
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30% lower prices at Costco and 33% lower at Sam's Club (vs. major supermarket chains)
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Gas typically 25¢ less per gallon (saving ~$150+ yearly for weekly fill-ups)
To figure out if a premium membership is worth it:
| 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) |
How We Calculated This: Break-even spending calculated as extra membership cost ÷ 2% reward rate.
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!