Paying to shop at a wholesale club doesn’t always deliver the savings you expect. Plenty of shoppers assume they’recutting costs by buying in bulk, but few actually run the numbers. So is shopping at warehouse chains like Costco a better deal than your neighborhood supermarket?
Buying larger quantities often yields a lower unit price, which can translate into modest savings. Yet those gains can quickly evaporate once you factor in travel costs, food spoilage and the annual Gold Star or Executive dues. Let’s break down when a Costco membership makes financial sense and when skipping it might be smarter for your budget.
Is the Costco Membership Fee a Smart Purchase?
Whether the membership charge is worthwhile depends on your personal circumstances.
The dollar amount matters—especially if the fee strains your finances—but it isn’t the only consideration.
To determine if the membership fee is a genuine bargain or an unnecessary expense, you need to compare your buying habits and needs with the inventory and services Costco provides.
Quick Ways to Earn Money to Cover a Costco Membership
Costco sparks plenty of debate among grocery shoppers. It’s beloved for various reasons (who can resist its cheap hot dogs?), but the membership cost can be a sticking point. If that annual fee is holding you back, here are several practical ways to make extra cash to help pay for it.
How Much Does a Costco Membership Cost?
Costco offersthree membership tiers, each with an annual fee. All plans—including the basic Gold Star level—include one complimentary household card and are accepted at Costco warehouses worldwide.
Resist the urge to sign up your whole extended family under one membership. Costco notes that Gold Star and Gold Star Executive accounts may have onlyone primary member. A second card is issued free to a designated household member over 18, and you can update that person at the membership desk or via yourAccount Detailsonline.
How Much Can You Actually Save at Costco?
Members do benefit from lower per-unit costs on bulk purchases, though not every product is a bargain. Some of the best deals are onKirkland Signature items, like rotisserie chicken, olive oil, maple syrup, cling wrap, and batteries.
Remember that Costco’s pricing reflects large package sizes. That’s great for pantry staples or long-life items, but not ideal for perishables unless your household can use them before they spoil and you have room to store them.
Costco Price Comparison
| Item | Costco | Walmart | Target |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eggs (white), 18 | $4.53 | $3.46 | $4.29 |
| Milk (2%), gallon | $3.13 | $2.63 | $4.39 |
| Bread (wheat), 24 oz. (Nature’s Own) | $3.06 | $3.64 | $3.69 |
| Chicken breast, per pound | $3.39 | $2.57 | $3.99 |
| Toilet paper | 79 cents/roll | 83 cents/roll | 91 cents/roll |
6 Situations Where a Costco Membership Pays Off
So when does a Costco membership make sense? When the money you save over the year exceeds the membership cost.
For Gold Star members who shop with some regularity, saving just $5 a month could offset the fee — quite feasible when you consider the savings on items like toilet paper and bread.
Executive members pay more but receive 2% back in rewards. Costco estimates that to break even on the $130 Executive fee, you’d spend roughly$500 monthly. Pairing aCostco credit cardor another cash-back card can add another 2% or so back, lowering the amount you need to spend for the membership to be worthwhile.
Below are six scenarios when a Costco membership is likely a good value.
1. If You Have Children
Parents often need large quantities of items like diapers and wipes — unless you use cloth or are deep into potty training. Kirkland Signature diapers are tough to beat, running about18 cents apiece.
Rumors aren’t wrong: Kirkland baby wipes have a strong reputation. They cost roughly3 cents per wipe. Costco also stocksbaby formula in bulk.
Prepared foods are another win for busy families; pre-portioned rice and quinoa options are frequently cheaper than at conventional grocers.
And don’t forget the free samples that can make shopping trips more entertaining for the kids — a small perk with big goodwill.
2. If You Prefer Organic Foods
This Northwest-based warehouse chain carries a wide selection of organic items at competitive bulk prices.
Alongside Kirkland’s organic lines and produce, Costco stocks several recognizable organic brands, including:
- Pacific Foods
- Nature’s Path
- Annie’s
- Green Mountain Creamery
- Namaste
- Seeds of Change
- Made in Nature
- Nasoya
Costco is also known for bulk meat and poultry that’s free of antibiotics and hormones, as well as cage-free eggs.
3. If You Own a Dog
Kirkland Signature dog food getspositive reviewsfrom vets and owners who view it as a reliable, affordable alternative to premium pet brands. A 40-pound bag works out to about $1.25 per pound, and Costco offersseveral formulasfor puppies, seniors and different breed sizes.
Costco can be especially useful for people who feed their pets a raw or meat-heavy diet and need to buy in bulk. One dog-care blogger noted that a membership made buying large amounts of meat feasible — and she even bought an extra freezer at Costco.
She also praised Costco’s dog beds for their mix of value and quality. She runsKeep the Tail Wagging, a site devoted to canine nutrition and care.
4. If You Drive Frequently
One of Costco’s standout bargains isn’t groceries at all — it’s fuel.
Costco routinely sells gas at very competitive rates, but you must be a member to buy it (unless someone buys aCostco cash cardfor you, and only members can buy those). Be mindful that pumps often have long queues, so aim to fill up during off-peak hours.
Another auto-related perk is theCostco tire center, which gives substantial discounts, complimentary rotations and nitrogen fills — valuable services even for EV owners.
5. If You Have a Major Purchase Coming Up
Hear us out: Costco sells some unexpectedly large-ticket items, from furniture and vacation packages to engagement rings and yes, even caskets.
High-cost purchases can trigger substantial savings, especially with an Executive membership. Even with a basic Gold Star account, a single large purchase might offset your annual fee.
6. If You Just Love Shopping There
No shame in that. For many, wandering Costco’s aisles and sampling products is a weekend ritual. With its emphasis on fair wages, sustainable sourcing and a
lenient return policy, buying there can feel ethically pleasing as well as financially sensible.And who can forget the famous $1.50 food-court hot dog? MarketWatch calculated the price should be much higher when adjusted for inflation, but Costco’s co-founder insisted it remain affordable.
4 Ways to Fund a Costco Membership
1. Make Up to $1,000/Month Doing Simple Online Tasks
Does “easy money” exist? For people comfortable online, yes.
Data is valuable now, and companies will pay for consumer insights — sometimes up to $1,000 per month.
Finding these opportunities takes time, but a platform called Freecash aggregates short paid tasks from multiple advertisers and research firms. Freecash has disbursed over $13 million to users since 2019.
You can choose tasks at your convenience and cash out earned coins as Visa or Amazon gift cards, crypto, or PayPal funds.
Creating an account is straightforward, there’s no minimum to cash out, and dedicated users report making over $1,000 a month in side income.
Sign up to see what you might earn.
2. Switch Car Insurance and Save Up to $996
You may be overpaying for auto insurance without realizing it. Fortunately, switching is usually simple.
Rather than hunting insurer sites individually, use a comparison tool like Insurify to view multiple quotes at once—users often save about $996 annually.
Enter a few details about yourself and your vehicle, and Insurify will present personalized options so you can pick the best rate.
It only takes a few minutes to compare quotes and potentially trim your premium.
3. Earn $225/Month Watching Short Videos and Completing Surveys
Getting paid to watch clips sounds far-fetched, but services exist that reward you for short video surveys.
InboxDollars, for example, offers daily short surveys and video tasks that can add up to about $225 a month. It won’t replace a full-time income, but it’s an easy way to make extra cash in your downtime.
InboxDollars pays in cash rather than points and has paid members over $56 million. Registration takes a minute and includes a small starter bonus.
4. Earn $1,000 Trying New Apps and Products
Our smartphones eat up time anyway—why not monetize it? Sites like KashKick pay for downloading apps, playing games, and completing surveys, with some users earning up to $1,000 in their first month.
Surveys are the primary income driver, and once you hit $10 you can withdraw via PayPal. Signing up is quick, and you’ll often receive a small reward just for completing your profile.
4 Reasons a Costco Membership Might Not Be Worth It
Costco isn’t ideal for everyone. Here are scenarios where the membership could cost you more than it saves.
1. If You Live Alone
This one’s nuanced.
Certain bulk items (toilet paper, for instance) are smart buys regardless of household size. Yet many people who live solo lack the storage space to make large-quantity purchases practical, making the membership less valuable.
2. If You’re a Couple Without Kids
Warehouse memberships are usually an easy call for families, but child-free couples might not consume enough to justify buying in bulk.
A workaround is splitting bulk buys with another couple. Costco requires the cardholder to make purchases, but you can divide costs afterward and have friends reimburse you — a way to enjoy savings without wasting food.
3. If You Live Too Far From a Warehouse
How far is too far? Generally, a commute longer than 20–30 minutes, depending on gas costs and traffic, can negate savings. Use anonline fuel calculatorto estimate travel expenses.
Luckily, Costco had914 warehouses worldwideas of September 2025, including over600 in the U.S.So many people live within a reasonable drive of a location.
4. If You Don’t Use a Visa Card
Costco accepts credit cards only from Visa; however, members can pay with cash, checks, most debit cards, and several mobile wallets like Apple Pay or Google Pay.
Someone could also buy Costco shop cards for your use, but that’s an extra step that’s not always convenient.
3 Things You Can Buy at Costco Without a Membership
You might be surprised which Costco services and products are available without a membership. Here are a few options you can access without a card.
1. Prescriptions
It’s widely known that Costco’s pharmacy is accessible without membership — in many states this access is
protected by law. You can often get affordable vaccinations, hearing screenings and eye exams at Costco without a card.2. Alcohol and Wine
In several states, laws require Costco to sell alcohol and wine to nonmembers, a holdover from earlier liquor regulations.
These are some states where you can buy booze at Costco without a membership:
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Hawaii
- Indiana
- Kentucky
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- New York
- Texas
- Vermont
3. Online Orders
Certain Costco items are available online to nonmembers, though a 5% surcharge applies on Costco.com. Still, you can access many of the same deals, including discounted gift cards.
Members, however, enjoy free two-day shipping on orders over $75; nonmembers generally receive standard three- to five-day delivery.
Should You Join Costco?
Deciding whether to join Costco is largely personal. If you live alone but have ample pantry and freezer space, buying larger amounts and making fewer shopping trips could be advantageous.
Remember there are other warehouse clubs (hello, Sam’s Club) that might be closer or better suited to your preferences. Weigh the pros and cons, and if the math works, enjoy filling your cart and sampling to your heart’s content.
Jamie Morales is a former senior writer at Savinly. Alex Reed, a previous contributor at Savinly, helped with this piece.
