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 someone deeply entrenched in the world of retail and consumer pricing, with a profound enthusiasm for analyzing the cost-effectiveness of different shopping outlets, I bring forth my expertise to shed light on the comparative analysis between Walmart and Costco, as presented in the March 2023 findings.
My expertise is grounded in firsthand experience, market research, and a comprehensive understanding of retail dynamics. I've closely followed consumer trends, scrutinized pricing strategies, and delved into the intricate details that influence the cost structures of major retailers. This knowledge allows me to navigate the intricate web of pricing and discern the nuanced factors that contribute to the perceived value of products at various stores.
Now, turning our attention to the presented article, the author embarks on a quest to determine whether Walmart or Costco offers better prices, a journey initiated by the arrival of a new baby in December. The focal point of this investigation is the comparison of specific products at both retailers, ranging from chicken legs and sour cream to graham crackers and frozen pepperoni pizza. The meticulous breakdown of prices for each item showcases a commitment to thorough analysis.
Several key concepts are explored in this article:
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Store Brands and Pricing Strategy:
- Walmart's use of its own store brand is highlighted as a potential cost-saving measure compared to name brands.
- The article prompts a question: Does Walmart's emphasis on store brands make it a more economical choice than Costco?
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Product Price Comparison:
- Prices of various items, such as chicken legs, sour cream, graham crackers, butter, lunchmeat, frozen pizza, rotisserie chicken, organic spring mix, cantaloupe, and more, are meticulously compared between Walmart and Costco.
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Quality vs. Price Trade-off:
- The author introduces the notion of not just comparing prices but also considering the quality of products. It's suggested that, in some cases, Costco offers better quality at comparable or slightly higher prices.
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Bulk Shopping Benefits:
- The advantages of bulk shopping at Costco are emphasized, with the author expressing the convenience of purchasing items in larger quantities to save both money and time.
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Personal Shopping Preferences:
- The article concludes with a personal reflection on the author's shopping preferences, acknowledging the superior prices at Costco but also recognizing the practicality of shopping at Walmart due to its local convenience.
In summary, the article provides a comprehensive and data-driven exploration of the cost-effectiveness of shopping at Walmart versus Costco, touching upon brand strategy, specific product pricing, quality considerations, and the benefits of bulk shopping. This in-depth analysis is a testament to the author's commitment to making informed and economical choices for their family.
