Sam's Club vs BJ's Wholesale 2026: Locations, Prices, Membership
Sam's Club is larger with 600+ locations and lower membership costs ($50-$110 annually), while BJ's Wholesale operates 220+ stores primarily in the Northeast with more frequent sales promotions and a stronger focus on regional markets. Sam's Club offers better value for high-volume shoppers nationally, whereas BJ's excels for customers in its geographic footprint seeking promotional deals.
Sam's Club
Walmart-owned warehouse chain with 599 U.S. locations, competitive pricing, and strong electronics selection.
National shoppers, families buying high volumes of groceries/household items, those seeking fuel savings, and anyone prioritizing lowest membership cost
BJ's Wholesale Club
Regional warehouse club in Northeast/Mid-Atlantic with 227 locations offering bulk shopping and promotional offers.
Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regional residents, deal hunters seeking frequent promotional discounts, shoppers who use manufacturer coupons, and those prioritizing lowest everyday product markup
Quick Answer
AI SummarySam's Club is larger with 600+ locations and lower membership costs ($50-$110 annually), while BJ's Wholesale operates 220+ stores primarily in the Northeast with more frequent sales promotions and a stronger focus on regional markets. Sam's Club offers better value for high-volume shoppers nationally, whereas BJ's excels for customers in its geographic footprint seeking promotional deals.
Our Verdict
AI-assistedChoose Sam's Club if you want national convenience, the lowest membership fees, extensive gas station access, and shop at a warehouse with the highest membership base (60+ million members). Choose BJ's Wholesale if you live in the Northeast or Mid-Atlantic region, prefer more frequent promotional discounts (20+ sales annually vs 12-15), and value a slightly lower markup on bulk items despite higher membership fees.
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Choose Sam's Club if
Best pickNational shoppers, families buying high volumes of groceries/household items, those seeking fuel savings, and anyone prioritizing lowest membership cost
Choose BJ's Wholesale Club if
Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regional residents, deal hunters seeking frequent promotional discounts, shoppers who use manufacturer coupons, and those prioritizing lowest everyday product markup
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Key Differences at a Glance
- Number of Locations:✓ Sam's Club wins(600+ vs 220+)
- Annual Gold Membership Cost:✓ Sam's Club wins($50 vs $55)
- Geographic Coverage:✓ Sam's Club wins(All 50 states + Mexico vs Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Florida (regional))
Key Facts & Figures
37 numeric metrics compared
| Metric | Sam's Club | BJ's Wholesale Club | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Annual Membership Cost($) | Sam's Club Basic | — | — |
| Premium Membership Cost($) | Sam's Club Plus | — | — |
| US Store Locations(stores) | Sam's Club | — | — |
| Total Store Locations (2025)(stores) | 600+ | 220+ | |
| Gold Membership Annual Cost(USD) | $50 | $55 | |
| Executive Membership Annual Cost(USD) | $110 | $110 | |
| Fuel Center Locations(locations) | 500+ | 100+ | |
| Private Label Products Available(SKUs) | 1,500+ (Member's Mark) | 2,000+ (Berkley Jensen) | |
| Major Promotional Sales Events Per Year(events) | 12-15 | — | — |
| Annual Membership Cost(USD) | $45-$110 (Gold/Plus) | — | — |
| Per-Unit Price on Bulk Staples(USD per unit) | $0.85 | — | — |
| Total Product SKUs(millions) | 3,700-4,000 | — | — |
| US Store Locations(stores) | 599 | — | — |
| Average Transaction Value(USD) | $142 | — | — |
| Grocery Product Mix(percent of inventory) | 25-30% | — | — |
| Private Label Savings vs National Brands(percent discount) | 15-30% (Member's Mark) | — | — |
| Estimated Break-Even on Membership (annual savings needed)(months) | 2-3 months | — | — |
| Bulk Item Savings vs Retail(percent) | 10-15% | — | — |
| Fuel Discount Availability(cents per gallon) | 10-30¢ (all members) | — | — |
| Product SKU Count per Store(items) | 3,500-4,000 | — | — |
| Minimum Typical Purchase(USD) | $100+ | — | — |
| Return Policy Window(days) | 90 days | — | — |
| Member's Mark/Great Value Brand Savings(percent) | 20-30% (Member's Mark) | — | — |
| Annual Membership Fee (Gold/Basic)(USD) | $50 | — | — |
| Global Warehouse Locations(locations) | 599 | — | — |
| Private Label Product Count(products) | 1,200 | — | — |
| Member Satisfaction Rate(%) | 82% | — | — |
| Average Annual Spending Per Member(USD) | $2,100 | — | — |
| Rotisserie Chicken Price(USD) | $4.98 | — | — |
| Annual Membership Cost (Standard Tier)(USD) | $110 | $110 | |
| Executive Membership Cost(USD) | $220 (2% rewards) | $220 (2% rewards) | |
| Number of Physical Locations(locations) | 227 | 227 | |
| Annual Revenue (FY2025)(billions USD) | $20.3 | $20.3 | |
| Bulk Item Price Advantage vs. Supermarkets(percent savings) | 1-3% | 1-3% | |
| Private Label Product Rating(stars (0-5)) | Wellsley Farms 4.2/5 | Wellsley Farms 4.2/5 | |
| Member Renewal Rate(percent) | 88% | 88% | |
| SKU Count (Product Selection)(items) | 5,000-5,500 | 5,000-5,500 |
Sourced from publicly available data ·
Key Differences
7 attributes compared head-to-head
- 600+(winner)Number of Locations220+
- $50(winner)Annual Gold Membership Cost$55
- All 50 states + Mexico(winner)Geographic CoverageNortheast, Mid-Atlantic, Florida (regional)
- 11%Average Markup on Products9-10%(winner)
- 500+(winner)Gas Station Locations (Club Members Benefit)100+
- Member's Mark brand (1,500+ items)Private Label Product SelectionBerkley Jensen brand (2,000+ items)(winner)
- 12-15 major salesPromotional Events Per Year20-25 major sales(winner)
- Number of Locations
Sam's Club
600+(winner)
BJ's Wholesale Club
220+
- Annual Gold Membership Cost
Sam's Club
$50(winner)
BJ's Wholesale Club
$55
- Geographic Coverage
Sam's Club
All 50 states + Mexico(winner)
BJ's Wholesale Club
Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Florida (regional)
- Average Markup on Products
Sam's Club
11%
BJ's Wholesale Club
9-10%(winner)
- Gas Station Locations (Club Members Benefit)
Sam's Club
500+(winner)
BJ's Wholesale Club
100+
- Private Label Product Selection
Sam's Club
Member's Mark brand (1,500+ items)
BJ's Wholesale Club
Berkley Jensen brand (2,000+ items)(winner)
- Promotional Events Per Year
Sam's Club
12-15 major sales
BJ's Wholesale Club
20-25 major sales(winner)
Full Comparison
| Attribute | Sam's Club | BJ's Wholesale Club |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Annual Membership Cost($) | Sam's Club Basic | — |
| Premium Membership Cost($) | Sam's Club Plus | — |
| Annual Membership Cost(USD) | $45-$110 (Gold/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) | — |
Show 6 more attributesBulk Item Savings vs Retail(percent) 10-15% — Member's Mark/Great Value Brand Savings(percent) 20-30% (Member's Mark) — Bulk Electronics Price Competitiveness(%) 15-20% below average — Annual Membership Cost (Standard Tier)(USD) $110 — Executive Membership Cost(USD) $220 (2% rewards) — Bulk Item Price Advantage vs. Supermarkets(percent savings) 1-3% — | ||
| US Store Locations(stores) | Sam's Club | — |
| Global Warehouse Locations(locations) | 599 | — |
| Organic Product Availability | Limited selection | — |
| Total Product SKUs(millions) | 3,700-4,000 | — |
| Product SKU Count per Store(items) | 3,500-4,000 | — |
| Private Label Product Count(products) | 1,200 | — |
| 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+(winner) | 220+ |
| Gold Membership Annual Cost(USD) | $50(winner) | $55 |
| Executive Membership Annual Cost(USD) | $110 | $110 |
| Fuel Center Locations(locations) | 500+(winner) | 100+ |
| Private Label Products Available(SKUs) | 1,500+ (Member's Mark) | 2,000+ (Berkley Jensen)(winner) |
| Major Promotional Sales Events Per Year(events) | 12-15 | — |
| US Store Locations(stores) | 599 | — |
| Average Transaction Value(USD) | $142 | — |
| Grocery Product Mix(percent of inventory) | 25-30% | — |
| Estimated Break-Even on Membership (annual savings needed)(months) | 2-3 months | — |
| Fuel Discount Availability(cents per gallon) | 10-30¢ (all members) | — |
| Minimum Typical Purchase(USD) | $100+ | — |
| Return Policy Window(days) | 90 days | — |
| Annual Membership Fee (Gold/Basic)(USD) | $50 | — |
| Return Policy Duration (General)(days) | 90 days | — |
| Member Satisfaction Rate(%) | 82% | — |
| Average Annual Spending Per Member(USD) | $2,100 | — |
| Rotisserie Chicken Price(USD) | $4.98 | — |
| Number of Physical Locations(locations) | 227 | — |
| Annual Revenue (FY2025)(billions USD) | $20.3 | — |
| Private Label Product Rating(stars (0-5)) | Wellsley Farms 4.2/5 | — |
| Member Renewal Rate(percent) | 88% | — |
| SKU Count (Product Selection)(items) | 5,000-5,500 | — |
Sam's ClubShow 6 more attributes
Pros & Cons
10 pros·6 cons across both
Sam's Club
Pros
- Lowest membership cost at $50/year for Gold membership (vs $55 for BJ's)
- 500+ Fuel Centers nationwide offering discounted gas and diesel to members
- Largest warehouse retailer by store count with 600+ locations across all 50 states plus Mexico
- Member's Mark private label with strong reputation for quality across 1,500+ products
- Optical, pharmacy, and tire centers in most locations for one-stop services
Cons
- Fewer promotional sale events (12-15/year vs BJ's 20-25) means less frequent deals
- Limited geographic advantage for Northeast residents who have closer BJ's alternatives
- Average markup of 11% is slightly higher than BJ's 9-10%
BJ's Wholesale Club
Pros
- Most aggressive promotional calendar with 20-25 major sales events annually vs Sam's Club's 12-15
- Lower average product markup at 9-10% compared to Sam's Club's 11%
- Berkley Jensen private label brand offers 2,000+ products (500 more than Sam's Club Member's Mark)
- Strong regional dominance in Northeast provides convenience for local shoppers with 8+ locations in key metro areas
- Accepts manufacturer coupons (unlike Sam's Club), creating additional savings opportunities
Cons
- Limited to 220 locations primarily in Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Florida—no national coverage
- Only 100+ fuel stations vs Sam's Club's 500+, limiting fuel savings benefit
- Slightly higher annual membership at $55 Gold ($5 more than Sam's Club)
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questions
Sam's Club has a significant advantage with 500+ Fuel Centers nationwide, allowing members to save approximately $0.10-$0.15 per gallon versus regular gas stations. BJ's only operates 100+ fuel stations, primarily in the Northeast. For frequent drivers in Sam's Club's footprint, fuel savings alone can offset the annual membership cost within 6-12 months.
Resources & Learn More
Curated sources to dive deeper
Wikipedia
- W
Sam's Club on Wikipedia (opens in new tab)
Walmart-owned warehouse chain with 599 U.S. locations, competitive pricing, and strong electronics selection.
- 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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