Costco vs Sam's Club 2026: Prices, Returns & Value
Costco Wholesale
Membership-based warehouse club retailer focused on bulk purchasing and curated product selection.
Families prioritizing quality, unlimited returns, and premium private-label goods; international shoppers; people who value service over lowest pricing
Sam's Club
Membership-based warehouse club offering bulk quantities and wholesale pricing with 599 US locations.
Budget-conscious shoppers, electronics buyers seeking competitive bulk pricing, U.S.-based members, Walmart+ subscribers wanting integrated benefits
Quick Answer
AI SummaryCostco operates 870 warehouses globally with higher member fees ($65-$130 annually) but offers superior food quality, better return policies, and a wider selection of premium products, while Sam's Club has 599 U.S. locations, lower fees ($50-$110 annually), and more competitive pricing on bulk electronics and groceries.
Read full verdictChoose Costco if you prioritize unlimited returns, global travel access, premium private-label products, and want the largest selection—the higher membership fee pays off through better quality and service. Choose Sam's Club if you want the lowest membership cost, prefer competitive bulk electronics pricing, and primarily shop in the U.S. for groceries and household items.
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Choose Costco Wholesale if
Best pickFamilies prioritizing quality, unlimited returns, and premium private-label goods; international shoppers; people who value service over lowest pricing
Choose Sam's Club if
Budget-conscious shoppers, electronics buyers seeking competitive bulk pricing, U.S.-based members, Walmart+ subscribers wanting integrated benefits
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Key Differences at a Glance
- Annual Membership Cost (Gold/Basic Tier):✓ Sam's Club wins($50 vs $65)
- Global Warehouse Count:✓ Costco Wholesale wins(870 locations vs 599 locations)
- Return Policy Duration:✓ Costco Wholesale wins(Unlimited (no time limit) vs 90 days on electronics)
Key Facts & Figures
56 numeric metrics compared
| Metric | Costco Wholesale | Sam's Club | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Membership Cost(USD) | $65-$130 | — | — |
| Price Premium vs Competitors(percent) | -20-30% | — | — |
| SKUs per Location(items) | 3,500-4,500 | — | — |
| Average Transaction Value(USD) | $150-200 | — | — |
| Executive Membership Cash Back(percent) | 2% | — | — |
| Prescription Discount for Members(percent) | 20-50% | — | — |
| Annual Membership Cost(USD) | $65 (Gold Star) | $45-$110 | |
| US Store Locations(stores) | 569 warehouses | 599 | |
| Product Selection (SKUs)(items) | ~4,000 SKUs | 3,500-4,000 | |
| Milk (1 gallon) Price Premium vs Costco(percent) | Baseline | — | — |
| Return Policy Window(days) | 730 days (2 years) | 45 days | |
| Average Customer Visits Per Year (heavy users)(visits) | 24-36 visits/year | — | — |
| Membership Breakeven Point (Annual savings)(USD) | $65-130 (Gold/Executive breakeven) | — | — |
| US Store Locations(stores) | 870 | — | — |
| Average Savings on Bulk Items vs. Retail(percent discount) | 20-40% discount | — | — |
| Average Transaction Time(minutes) | 45-60 | — | — |
| Product Selection (SKUs)(count) | 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 | — | — |
| Annual Membership Fee (Gold/Basic)(USD) | $65 | $50 | |
| Global Warehouse Locations(locations) | 870 | 599 | |
| Private Label Product Count(products) | 3,500 | 1,200 | |
| Member Satisfaction Rate(%) | 88% | 82% | |
| Average Annual Spending Per Member(USD) | $2,850 | $2,100 | |
| Rotisserie Chicken Price(USD) | $4.99 | $4.98 | |
| Annual Revenue (2024)(USD billions) | $252.6 billion | — | — |
| Customer Satisfaction Score(out of 10) | 82/100 | — | — |
| Physical Store Count(locations) | 870 warehouses | — | — |
| Product Catalog Size(SKUs) | 3,700 | — | — |
| Membership Cost (Annual)(USD) | $65 (Gold Star basic tier) | — | — |
| Operating Margin(%) | 4.1% | — | — |
| Member Renewal Rate(percent) | 94% | — | — |
| Median Delivery Time(days) | Immediate (in-warehouse purchase) | — | — |
| Basic Annual Membership Cost($) | Sam's Club Basic | Sam's Club Basic | |
| Premium Membership Cost($) | Sam's Club Plus | Sam's Club Plus | |
| US Store Locations(stores) | Sam's Club | Sam's Club | |
| Total Store Locations (2025)(stores) | 600+ | 600+ | |
| Gold Membership Annual Cost(USD) | $50 | $50 | |
| Executive Membership Annual Cost(USD) | $110 | $110 | |
| Fuel Center Locations(locations) | 500+ | 500+ | |
| Private Label Products Available(SKUs) | 1,500+ (Member's Mark) | 1,500+ (Member's Mark) | |
| Major Promotional Sales Events Per Year(events) | 12-15 | 12-15 | |
| Per-Unit Price on Bulk Staples(USD per unit) | $0.85 | $0.85 | |
| Total Product SKUs(millions) | 3,700-4,000 | 3,700-4,000 | |
| Average Transaction Value(USD) | $150-$200 | $150-$200 | |
| Grocery Product Mix(percent of inventory) | 25-30% | 25-30% | |
| Private Label Savings vs National Brands(percent discount) | 15-30% (Member's Mark) | 15-30% (Member's Mark) | |
| Estimated Break-Even on Membership (annual savings needed)(months) | 2-3 months | 2-3 months | |
| Bulk Item Savings vs Retail(percent) | 10-15% | 10-15% | |
| Fuel Discount Availability(cents per gallon) | 10-30¢ (all members) | 10-30¢ (all members) | |
| Product SKU Count per Store(items) | 3,500-4,000 | 3,500-4,000 | |
| Minimum Typical Purchase(USD) | $100+ | $100+ | |
| Member's Mark/Great Value Brand Savings(percent) | 20-30% (Member's Mark) | 20-30% (Member's Mark) | |
| Bulk Item Price Advantage(% discount vs. retail) | 20-40% | 20-40% | |
| Gasoline Discount(¢ below market) | 10-15¢ | 10-15¢ | |
| Private Label Quality Rating(out of 5.0) | 4.1 | 4.1 |
Sourced from publicly available data ·
Key Differences
7 attributes compared head-to-head
- $65Annual Membership Cost (Gold/Basic Tier)$50(winner)
- 870 locations(winner)Global Warehouse Count599 locations
- Unlimited (no time limit)(winner)Return Policy Duration90 days on electronics
- 3,500+ products(winner)Kirkland Signature Private Label ItemsGreat Value brand: 1,200+ products
- $4.99Average Rotisserie Chicken Price$4.98
- 88% satisfaction(winner)Member Satisfaction Rating (2025)82% satisfaction
- $2,850(winner)Average Annual Spending Per Member$2,100
- Annual Membership Cost (Gold/Basic Tier)
Costco Wholesale
$65
Sam's Club
$50(winner)
- Global Warehouse Count
Costco Wholesale
870 locations(winner)
Sam's Club
599 locations
- Return Policy Duration
Costco Wholesale
Unlimited (no time limit)(winner)
Sam's Club
90 days on electronics
- Kirkland Signature Private Label Items
Costco Wholesale
3,500+ products(winner)
Sam's Club
Great Value brand: 1,200+ products
- Average Rotisserie Chicken Price
Costco Wholesale
$4.99
Sam's Club
$4.98
- Member Satisfaction Rating (2025)
Costco Wholesale
88% satisfaction(winner)
Sam's Club
82% satisfaction
- Average Annual Spending Per Member
Costco Wholesale
$2,850(winner)
Sam's Club
$2,100
Full Comparison
| Attribute | Costco Wholesale | Sam's Club |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Membership Cost(USD) | $65-$130 | — |
| Price Premium vs Competitors(percent) | -20-30% | — |
| Average Transaction Value(USD) | $150-200 | — |
| Annual Membership Cost(USD) | $65 (Gold Star)(winner) | $45-$110 |
| Milk (1 gallon) Price Premium vs Costco(percent) | Baseline | — |
Show 10 more attributesAverage Savings on Bulk Items vs. Retail(percent discount) 20-40% discount — Bulk Electronics Price Competitiveness(%) Standard pricing 15-20% below average Membership Cost (Annual)(USD) $65 (Gold Star basic tier) — Basic Annual Membership Cost($) Sam's Club Basic — Premium Membership Cost($) Sam's Club Plus — Per-Unit Price on Bulk Staples(USD per unit) $0.85 — Private Label Savings vs National Brands(percent discount) 15-30% (Member's Mark) — Bulk Item Savings vs Retail(percent) 10-15% — Member's Mark/Great Value Brand Savings(percent) 20-30% (Member's Mark) — Bulk Item Price Advantage(% discount vs. retail) 20-40% — | ||
| SKUs per Location(items) | 3,500-4,500 | — |
| Product Selection (SKUs)(items) | ~4,000 SKUs(winner) | 3,500-4,000 |
| Private Label Product Count(products) | 3,500(winner) | 1,200 |
| Organic Product Availability | Limited selection | — |
| Total Product SKUs(millions) | 3,700-4,000 | — |
Show 1 more attributeProduct SKU Count per Store(items) 3,500-4,000 — | ||
| Pharmacy Services Depth | Limited: prescriptions and pharmacy services only | — |
| Pharmacy Services Available(yes/no) | Pharmacy only | — |
| Executive Membership Cash Back(percent) | 2% | — |
| Fuel Discount Availability(cents per gallon) | 10-30¢ (all members) | — |
| Prescription Discount for Members(percent) | 20-50% | — |
| US Store Locations(stores) | 569 warehouses | 599(winner) |
| Return Policy Window(days) | 730 days (2 years)(winner) | 45 days |
| Average Customer Visits Per Year (heavy users)(visits) | 24-36 visits/year | — |
| Membership Breakeven Point (Annual savings)(USD) | $65-130 (Gold/Executive breakeven) | — |
| US Store Locations(stores) | 870 | — |
| Average Transaction Time(minutes) | 45-60 | — |
| Return Policy Duration (General)(days) | Unlimited | 90 days |
| Product Selection (SKUs)(count) | 3,700-4,000 (curated) | — |
| Annual Member Savings (Frequent Shoppers)(USD) | $500-$800 | — |
| Estimated Break-Even on Membership (annual savings needed)(months) | 2-3 months | — |
| Gas Station Discount vs Market Rate(cents per gallon) | 40-60¢ cheaper | — |
| Annual Membership Fee (Gold/Basic)(USD) | $65 | $50(winner) |
| Global Warehouse Locations(locations) | 870(winner) | 599 |
| US Store Locations(stores) | Sam's Club | — |
| Member Satisfaction Rate(%) | 88%(winner) | 82% |
| Average Annual Spending Per Member(USD) | $2,850(winner) | $2,100 |
| Rotisserie Chicken Price(USD) | $4.99 | $4.98(winner) |
| Annual Revenue (2024)(USD billions) | $252.6 billion | — |
| Customer Satisfaction Score(out of 10) | 82/100 | — |
| Physical Store Count(locations) | 870 warehouses | — |
| Product Catalog Size(SKUs) | 3,700 | — |
| Private Label Products Available(SKUs) | 1,500+ (Member's Mark) | — |
| Operating Margin(%) | 4.1% | — |
| Member Renewal Rate(percent) | 94% | — |
| Median Delivery Time(days) | Immediate (in-warehouse purchase) | — |
| Minimum Typical Purchase(USD) | $100+ | — |
| Private Label Brand Recognition | Member's Mark (value) | — |
| Digital Technology Features (2026) | AI integration, store upgrades | — |
| Food Court Access Policy | Member availability | — |
| Fresh Food Menu Updates (2026) | Ready-to-serve upgrades, natural ingredients | — |
| Total Store Locations (2025)(stores) | 600+ | — |
| Gold Membership Annual Cost(USD) | $50 | — |
| Executive Membership Annual Cost(USD) | $110 | — |
| Fuel Center Locations(locations) | 500+ | — |
| Major Promotional Sales Events Per Year(events) | 12-15 | — |
| Average Transaction Value(USD) | $150-$200 | — |
| Grocery Product Mix(percent of inventory) | 25-30% | — |
| Gasoline Discount(¢ below market) | 10-15¢ | — |
| Private Label Quality Rating(out of 5.0) | 4.1 | — |
Costco WholesaleSam's ClubShow 10 more attributes
Show 1 more attribute
Pros & Cons
10 pros·6 cons across both
Costco Wholesale
Pros
Cons
Sam's Club
Pros
Cons
Frequently Asked Questions
6 questions
Sam's Club has a lower membership fee ($50 vs $65), but Costco members spend an average of $2,850 annually vs $2,100 at Sam's Club, suggesting Costco offers better overall value through quality and selection. For budget shoppers buying only essentials, Sam's Club is cheaper; for frequent shoppers seeking premium products, Costco's membership pays off within 2-3 visits.
Costco allows unlimited returns with or without a receipt for almost all items. Sam's Club also accepts returns without receipts but limits them to 90 days for electronics and 30 days for most other items. Costco's policy is significantly more customer-friendly for long-term purchases.
Sam's Club consistently offers 15-20% lower bulk pricing on electronics compared to Costco and typical retail. If electronics are your primary purchase, Sam's Club's selection and pricing advantage makes it the better choice despite the shorter 90-day return window.
Costco memberships work across all 870 warehouses in 12 countries (Canada, UK, Mexico, Japan, etc.). Sam's Club only operates in the United States, so if you travel internationally or relocate, Costco provides global access.
Kirkland Signature (Costco's 3,500 products) is widely recognized for premium quality and often matches or exceeds name-brand standards. Sam's Club's Great Value brand (1,200 products) is budget-oriented and competitive on price but less curated. Kirkland products command higher prices but deliver better quality and consistency.
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