U.S. consumer electronics retailer with 900+ locations and Geek Squad technical support services.
Tech-savvy shoppers, electronics buyers needing expert support, those seeking product variety without membership commitment
Membership-based warehouse club with 870 locations offering bulk purchases and lower per-unit pricing on quality goods
Bulk buyers, families, budget-conscious shoppers, business owners, those who value lowest prices on staples
Best Buy specializes in consumer electronics with expert staff and generous return policies, while Costco is a membership-based warehouse offering bulk goods and lower prices across diverse categories. Best Buy excels for tech purchases; Costco wins for bulk buying and overall value.
Choose Best Buy if you're shopping for consumer electronics, want immediate access without membership fees, need expert tech support, or value product variety. Choose Costco if you buy in bulk, want the lowest prices on groceries and household essentials, prefer an extended return window, and are willing to pay for a membership that offers additional benefits like gas and food court discounts.
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| Metric | Best Buy | Costco Wholesale | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prime Members(millions) | None | — | — |
| Physical Locations(stores) | 1,000+ | — | — |
| U.S. Store Count(stores) | ~1,000 stores | — | — |
| Average Electronics Price Premium(%) | 5-12% higher than Walmart | — | — |
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Choose Costco Wholesale if
Bulk buyers, families, budget-conscious shoppers, business owners, those who value lowest prices on staples
| Annual Membership Cost(USD) |
| Best Buy Elite Plus $199.99 |
| $65 (Gold Star) |
| +208% |
| Membership Reward Rate(%) | 2% rewards on eligible purchases | — | — |
| Same-Day Delivery Availability(% metro coverage) | ~30% of metro areas (select markets) | — | — |
| Product Categories Offered(categories) | ~15 (electronics-focused) | — | — |
| Annual Membership Cost(USD) | $65-$130 | $65-$130 | — |
| Price Premium vs Competitors(percent) | -20-30% | -20-30% | — |
| SKUs per Location(items) | 3,500-4,500 | 3,500-4,500 | — |
| Average Transaction Value(USD) | $150-200 | $150-200 | — |
| Executive Membership Cash Back(percent) | 2% | 2% | — |
| Prescription Discount for Members(percent) | 20-50% | 20-50% | — |
| US Store Locations(stores) | 569 warehouses | 569 warehouses | — |
| Product Selection (SKUs)(SKUs) | ~4,000 SKUs | ~4,000 SKUs | — |
| Milk (1 gallon) Price Premium vs Costco(percent) | Baseline | Baseline | — |
| Return Policy Window(days) | 730 days (2 years) | 730 days (2 years) | — |
| Average Customer Visits Per Year (heavy users)(visits) | 24-36 visits/year | 24-36 visits/year | — |
| Membership Breakeven Point (Annual savings)(USD) | $65-130 (Gold/Executive breakeven) | $65-130 (Gold/Executive breakeven) | — |
| Annual Revenue (2024)(USD Billions) | $275+ billion | $275+ billion | — |
| US Store Locations(stores) | 870 | 870 | — |
| Average Savings on Bulk Items vs. Retail(percent discount) | 20-40% discount | 20-40% discount | — |
| Average Transaction Time(minutes) | 45-60 | 45-60 | — |
| Product Selection (SKUs)(items) | 3,700-4,000 (curated) | 3,700-4,000 (curated) | — |
| Annual Member Savings (Frequent Shoppers)(USD) | $500-$800 | $500-$800 | — |
| Gas Station Discount vs Market Rate(cents per gallon) | 40-60¢ cheaper | 40-60¢ cheaper | — |
All figures sourced from publicly available data. Last updated Jun 2026.
Best Buy
Open to public, no membership required
Costco Wholesale
Membership-based warehouse club🏆
Best Buy
$0🏆
Costco Wholesale
$65 (Gold Star) or $130 (Executive)
Best Buy
Consumer electronics, appliances, media
Costco Wholesale
Bulk groceries, household items, electronics, gas
Best Buy
15 days for most items, 30 days for Premium Members
Costco Wholesale
90 days for most items, lifetime for electronics🏆
Best Buy
10,000+ per store🏆
Costco Wholesale
3,500-4,000 per store
Best Buy
Geek Squad on-site and in-home support🏆
Costco Wholesale
Concierge services for members only
Best Buy
Generally competitive with online retailers
Costco Wholesale
10-15% below Best Buy on bulk items🏆
For most households, yes. The average Costco member saves $1,200-$1,500 annually on groceries, gas, and bulk items, easily offsetting the $65-$130 annual membership cost. The 90-day return policy and 2% Executive cash back add additional value. Best Buy's free access is better only if you primarily shop for electronics occasionally.
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| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Prime Members(millions) | None | — |
| Ad Revenue (2026)(billion USD) | Not disclosed | — |
| Physical Locations(stores) | 1,000+ | — |
| AI Shopping Assistant(users) | Limited features | — |
| AI Rufus Interaction Growth(percent) | N/A | — |
| Prime Day 2026 Revenue(billion USD) | N/A | — |
| Product Categories(count) | Electronics focused | — |
| Product Categories Offered(categories) | ~15 (electronics-focused) | — |
| SKUs per Location(items) | 3,500-4,500 | — |
| Product Selection (SKUs)(SKUs) | ~4,000 SKUs | — |
| In-Person Support(availability) | Expert staff available | — |
| In-Store Tech Support(availability) | Geek Squad available at all 1,000 locations | — |
| U.S. Store Count(stores) | ~1,000 stores | — |
| Average Electronics Price Premium(%) | 5-12% higher than Walmart | — |
| Annual Membership Cost(USD) | $65-$130 | — |
| Price Premium vs Competitors(percent) | -20-30% | — |
| Milk (1 gallon) Price Premium vs Costco(percent) | Baseline | — |
| Average Savings on Bulk Items vs. Retail(percent discount) | 20-40% discount | — |
| Annual Membership Cost(USD) | Best Buy Elite Plus $199.99 | $65 (Gold Star) |
| Membership Reward Rate(%) | 2% rewards on eligible purchases | — |
| Same-Day Delivery Availability(% metro coverage) | ~30% of metro areas (select markets) | — |
| Warranty Coverage for Electronics(coverage type) | Includes accidental damage protection and extended coverage | — |
| Pharmacy Services Depth | Limited: prescriptions and pharmacy services only | — |
| Pharmacy Services Available | Pharmacy only | — |
| Average Transaction Value(USD) | $150-200 | — |
| Executive Membership Cash Back(percent) | 2% | — |
| Prescription Discount for Members(percent) | 20-50% | — |
| US Store Locations(stores) | 569 warehouses | — |
| US Store Locations(stores) | 870 | — |
| Return Policy Window(days) | 730 days (2 years) | — |
| Average Customer Visits Per Year (heavy users)(visits) | 24-36 visits/year | — |
| Membership Breakeven Point (Annual savings)(USD) | $65-130 (Gold/Executive breakeven) | — |
| Annual Revenue (2024)(USD Billions) | $275+ billion | — |
| Average Transaction Time(minutes) | 45-60 | — |
| Product Selection (SKUs)(items) | 3,700-4,000 (curated) | — |
| Annual Member Savings (Frequent Shoppers)(USD) | $500-$800 | — |
| Gas Station Discount vs Market Rate(cents per gallon) | 40-60¢ cheaper | — |
Side-by-side comparison of numeric attributes