Costco vs BJ's: Membership Costs & Prices 2026
Costco is larger with 871 locations and $252.6B in annual revenue, while BJ's operates 227 locations with $20.3B in revenue. Costco offers lower per-unit prices on bulk items but requires a $65 annual membership; BJ's has more frequent regional promotions and a $110 annual membership.
Costco Wholesale Corporation
Global warehouse club with 871 locations offering bulk groceries, electronics, and Kirkland Signature products.
Families buying in bulk, small businesses managing inventory, and cost-conscious shoppers nationwide seeking lowest per-unit prices.
BJ's Wholesale Club
Regional warehouse club in Northeast/Mid-Atlantic with 227 locations offering bulk shopping and promotional offers.
Northeast/Mid-Atlantic residents seeking promotional flexibility, users who occasionally shop (pay-per-visit option), and shoppers who redeem manufacturer coupons.
Quick Answer
AI SummaryCostco is larger with 871 locations and $252.6B in annual revenue, while BJ's operates 227 locations with $20.3B in revenue. Costco offers lower per-unit prices on bulk items but requires a $65 annual membership; BJ's has more frequent regional promotions and a $110 annual membership.
Our Verdict
AI-assistedChoose Costco if you want the lowest bulk prices nationally, don't mind paying $65 annually, and value premium Kirkland Signature products with strong ratings. Choose BJ's if you live in the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic, prefer more frequent promotional deals, and want regional pricing flexibility—though expect to pay higher membership and slightly higher per-unit costs.
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Choose Costco Wholesale Corporation if
Best pickFamilies buying in bulk, small businesses managing inventory, and cost-conscious shoppers nationwide seeking lowest per-unit prices.
Choose BJ's Wholesale Club if
Northeast/Mid-Atlantic residents seeking promotional flexibility, users who occasionally shop (pay-per-visit option), and shoppers who redeem manufacturer coupons.
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Key Differences at a Glance
- Annual Revenue:✓ Costco Wholesale Corporation wins($252.6 billion vs $20.3 billion)
- Number of Locations:✓ Costco Wholesale Corporation wins(871 warehouses vs 227 warehouses)
- Gold/Standard Membership Cost:✓ Costco Wholesale Corporation wins($65/year vs $110/year)
Key Facts & Figures
13 numeric metrics compared
| Metric | Costco Wholesale Corporation | BJ's Wholesale Club | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Membership Cost (Standard Tier)(USD) | $65 | $110 | |
| Executive Membership Cost(USD) | $130 (2% cashback) | $220 (2% rewards) | |
| Number of Physical Locations(locations) | 871 | 227 | |
| Annual Revenue (FY2025)(billions USD) | $252.6 | $20.3 | |
| Bulk Item Price Advantage vs. Supermarkets(percent savings) | 3-8% | 1-3% | |
| Private Label Product Rating(stars (0-5)) | Kirkland Signature 4.6/5 | Wellsley Farms 4.2/5 | |
| Member Renewal Rate(percent) | 93% | 88% | |
| SKU Count (Product Selection)(items) | 3,700-4,000 | 5,000-5,500 | |
| Total Store Locations (2025)(stores) | 220+ | 220+ | |
| Gold Membership Annual Cost(USD) | $55 | $55 | |
| Executive Membership Annual Cost(USD) | $110 | $110 | |
| Fuel Center Locations(locations) | 100+ | 100+ | |
| Private Label Products Available(SKUs) | 2,000+ (Berkley Jensen) | 2,000+ (Berkley Jensen) |
Sourced from publicly available data ·
Key Differences
7 attributes compared head-to-head
- $252.6 billion(winner)Annual Revenue$20.3 billion
- 871 warehouses(winner)Number of Locations227 warehouses
- $65/year(winner)Gold/Standard Membership Cost$110/year
- $130/year (2% cashback)(winner)Executive Membership Cost$220/year (2% rewards)
- 3-8% lower on comparable items(winner)Bulk Item Price AdvantageCompetitive but higher on staples
- All 50 states + Canada, Mexico, Japan, UK(winner)Geographic CoverageNortheastern and Mid-Atlantic US only
- Kirkland Signature (4.6/5 avg)(winner)Private Label Quality RatingWellsley Farms (4.2/5 avg)
- Annual Revenue
Costco Wholesale Corporation
$252.6 billion(winner)
BJ's Wholesale Club
$20.3 billion
- Number of Locations
Costco Wholesale Corporation
871 warehouses(winner)
BJ's Wholesale Club
227 warehouses
- Gold/Standard Membership Cost
Costco Wholesale Corporation
$65/year(winner)
BJ's Wholesale Club
$110/year
- Executive Membership Cost
Costco Wholesale Corporation
$130/year (2% cashback)(winner)
BJ's Wholesale Club
$220/year (2% rewards)
- Bulk Item Price Advantage
Costco Wholesale Corporation
3-8% lower on comparable items(winner)
BJ's Wholesale Club
Competitive but higher on staples
- Geographic Coverage
Costco Wholesale Corporation
All 50 states + Canada, Mexico, Japan, UK(winner)
BJ's Wholesale Club
Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic US only
- Private Label Quality Rating
Costco Wholesale Corporation
Kirkland Signature (4.6/5 avg)(winner)
BJ's Wholesale Club
Wellsley Farms (4.2/5 avg)
Full Comparison
| Attribute | Costco Wholesale Corporation | BJ's Wholesale Club |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Membership Cost (Standard Tier)(USD) | $65(winner) | $110 |
| Executive Membership Cost(USD) | $130 (2% cashback)(winner) | $220 (2% rewards) |
| Bulk Item Price Advantage vs. Supermarkets(percent savings) | 3-8%(winner) | 1-3% |
| Number of Physical Locations(locations) | 871(winner) | 227 |
| Annual Revenue (FY2025)(billions USD) | $252.6(winner) | $20.3 |
| Private Label Product Rating(stars (0-5)) | Kirkland Signature 4.6/5(winner) | Wellsley Farms 4.2/5 |
| Member Renewal Rate(percent) | 93%(winner) | 88% |
| SKU Count (Product Selection)(items) | 3,700-4,000 | 5,000-5,500(winner) |
| Total Store Locations (2025)(stores) | 220+ | — |
| Gold Membership Annual Cost(USD) | $55 | — |
| Executive Membership Annual Cost(USD) | $110 | — |
| Fuel Center Locations(locations) | 100+ | — |
| Private Label Products Available(SKUs) | 2,000+ (Berkley Jensen) | — |
Pros & Cons
10 pros·6 cons across both
Costco Wholesale Corporation
Pros
- Lowest bulk pricing: 3-8% cheaper per unit on staples vs. competitors
- Kirkland Signature private label (4.6/5 rating) ranks highest in quality among warehouse brands
- 871 locations across 50 US states plus Canada, Mexico, Japan, UK
- $65 annual Gold membership is lowest in industry; Executive tier offers 2% cashback
- 93% member renewal rate indicates strong customer loyalty and value perception
Cons
- $65 annual membership required ($130 for Executive) may deter occasional shoppers
- Limited to 3,700-4,000 SKUs vs. traditional supermarkets (30,000+ items), restricting variety
- Stricter return policy (30-day limit on electronics) than some competitors
BJ's Wholesale Club
Pros
- Regional focus enables frequent localized promotions and personalized deals
- Wellsley Farms private label provides solid quality (4.2/5 rating) at competitive prices
- BJ's Perks+ loyalty program offers exclusive digital coupons and early sale access
- Accepts manufacturer coupons (Costco does not), increasing effective savings
- No membership option available (pay-per-visit at 5% markup) provides flexibility
Cons
- $110 annual standard membership cost is 69% higher than Costco Gold
- 227 locations concentrated in Northeast/Mid-Atlantic only; unavailable in 30+ states
- Per-unit prices on bulk staples average 2-5% higher than Costco for comparable items
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questions
Costco offers lower per-unit prices on bulk staples (3-8% savings vs. supermarkets) and lower membership costs ($65 vs. BJ's $110). However, BJ's accepts manufacturer coupons (Costco doesn't) and offers more frequent regional promotions, which can offset higher base prices for deal-savvy shoppers in their Northeast footprint.
Resources & Learn More
Curated sources to dive deeper
Wikipedia
- W
Costco Wholesale Corporation on Wikipedia (opens in new tab)
Global warehouse club with 871 locations offering bulk groceries, electronics, and Kirkland Signature products.
- W
BJ's Wholesale Club on Wikipedia (opens in new tab)
Regional warehouse club in Northeast/Mid-Atlantic with 227 locations offering bulk shopping and promotional offers.
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