10 Costco Items That Are Actually Cheaper at Sam’s Club
Warehouse loyalty can feel personal, but prices do not always follow brand allegiance. While Costco gets plenty right, Sam’s Club often comes out ahead on everyday items people restock without thinking twice. The differences are small at first glance, but they add up over time. These are the items where Sam’s Club tends to cost less when it matters most.
Bottled Water
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Bottled water usually ends up in the cart by habit, often grabbed ahead of travel, gatherings, or hot weather, and stored for later use. Sam’s Club often prices its 40-pack of 16.9-ounce bottles lower per bottle than Costco. The difference is easy to miss unless you compare receipts afterward.
Paper Towels
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Paper towels vanish faster than expected. A small mess turns into a bigger one, and a roll is gone before you notice. Sam’s Club’s Member’s Mark paper towels usually cost less per square foot than Costco’s Kirkland brand, while still holding up during use. That price difference shows up when replacements are needed sooner than planned.
Rotisserie Chicken
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Both warehouse clubs sell rotisserie chickens at roughly the same price, usually $4.98. Where Sam’s Club often edges ahead is weight. Heavier birds stretch meals further once the chicken gets home. The difference isn’t obvious at the warmer, but it shows up later when leftovers feel less constrained.
Frozen Pizza
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Frozen pizza is often a backup for nights that run longer than expected. Value shows up less in the label and more in how many pizzas you actually get for the price. Sam’s Club multi-pack boxes usually come out cheaper per pizza than comparable Kirkland options at Costco, even when size and bake quality feel nearly identical.
Bacon
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Bacon value becomes clear once it hits the pan. Shrinkage and slice thickness matter more than the label. Two-pack bacon bundles at Sam’s Club often cost a few dollars less than Costco’s, and Member’s Mark strips tend to hold their shape better while cooking, which affects how much actually gets served.
Coffee Pods
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Morning routines expose pricing faster than almost any receipt. When a box empties sooner than expected, per-unit cost suddenly matters. Member’s Mark coffee pods are typically priced several cents lower per pod than comparable Costco options. Over large count boxes, that gap adds up quietly, long before caffeine kicks in.
Laundry Detergent
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If there’s one thing every household needs, its detergent. Load after load chips away at a bottle, and the cost per wash becomes the real metric. Member’s Mark Ultimate Clean usually lands lower per load than Costco’s equivalent. Bottles last just as long, which makes the savings feel earned rather than theoretical.
Cheese
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Meals burn through cheese faster than planned, especially once snacking and lunches enter the equation. Sam’s Club often prices shredded and block cheeses lower per ounce, even when they melt and flavor holds up well. The change shows up midweek, when portions stay generous without watching the scale or receipt.
Trash Bags
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This is one of the few products that announces failure immediately. A split seam changes the task in seconds. Member’s Mark trash bags are boxed in higher quantities at Sam’s Club, with a thickness that holds up under routine weight. There’s no payoff moment, just fewer interruptions.
Gasoline
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Fuel prices rarely inspire patience. Even small differences per gallon feel louder when tanks refill weekly. Sam’s Club stations often match or beat Costco by several cents, and lines tend to move faster at many locations. Over time, that combination turns routine fill-ups into a noticeable annual win.