Best Food Deals at Costco: Comparing Prices on 50 Products

Best Food Deals at Costco

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Best Food Deals at Costco
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Grocery Shopping Showdown

Can shoppers really save by skipping grocery stores in favor of warehouse clubs? Cheapism compiled a list of 50 staple products and compared prices per ounce at Costco, the largest wholesale club operator, and Kroger, one of the nation's largest grocery chains.


Costco won big, with prices up to 70% cheaper on 43 of the 50 items. Shopping at Kroger, even with loyalty-card discounts, netted savings on just four items (there were three ties). On 10 items, the savings at Costco exceeded 40%; at Kroger, the savings were much more modest.


That doesn't mean consumers should ditch conventional grocery stores entirely. Buying in bulk saves only if the extra food doesn't go to waste. Also, selection is more limited at warehouse clubs; brand-conscious buyers won't find as many favorites on the shelves. And don't forget the membership fee ($60 a year at Costco, $55 at BJ's Wholesale Club, and $45 at Sam's Club). Still, with strategic shopping, a Costco membership can pay off big when it comes to groceries — here's where.

Spinach (Fresh)
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Spinach

Costco: $4.49 for a 40 oz. bag (11.2 cents/oz.)
Kroger: $6 for a 16 oz. bag (37.4 cents/oz.)
Savings at Costco: 70.1% (26.2 cents/oz.)

Maple Syrup (Log Cabin Original)
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Log Cabin Original Maple Syrup

Costco: $7 for two 64 oz. bottles (5.5 cents/oz.)
Kroger: $3.79 for a 24 oz. bottle (15.8 cents/oz.)
Savings at Costco: 65.2% (10.3 cents/oz.)

Canola Cooking Spray (Store Brand)
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Canola Cooking Spray

(Store Brand)
Costco: $5 for two 17 oz. cans (14.7 cents/oz.)
Kroger: $3 for an 8 oz. can (37.5 cents/oz.)
Savings at Costco: 60.8% (22.8 cents/oz.)

Chocolate Chips (Nestlé Toll House, Semi-Sweet)
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Nestlé Toll House Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips

Costco: $9.49 for a 72 oz. bag (13.2 cents/oz.)
Kroger: $6.79 for a 24 oz. bag (28.3 cents/oz.)
Savings at Costco: 53.4% (15.1 cents/oz.)

Potato Chips (Kettle Krinkle Cut, Sea Salt)
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Kettle Krinkle Cut Potato Chips

(Sea Salt)
Costco: $4.59 for a 2 lb. bag (14.3 cents/oz.)
Kroger: $4 for a 13 oz. bag (30.7 cents/oz.)
Savings at Costco: 53.4% (16.4 cents/oz.)

Rotisserie Chicken
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Rotisserie Chicken

Costco: $5 for 3 lbs. (10.4 cents/oz.)
Kroger: $7 for 2 lbs. (21.8 cents/oz.)
Savings at Costco: 52.3% (11.4 cents/oz.)

Mixed Berries (Frozen, Store Brand)
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Frozen Mixed Berries

(Store Brand)
Costco: $9 for a 64 oz. bag (14 cents/oz.)
Kroger: $14 for a 48 oz. bag (29.1 cents/oz.)
Savings at Costco: 51.9% (15.1 cents/oz.)

Quinoa
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Quinoa

(Store Brand)
Costco: $10 for a 4.5 lb. bag (13.9 cents/oz.)
Kroger: $4 for a 1 lb. bag (25 cents/oz.)
Savings at Costco: 44.4% (11.1 cents/oz.)

Bottled Water (Store Brand)
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Bottled Water

(Store Brand)
Costco: $3 for 40 16.9 oz. bottles (0.4 cents/fl. oz.)
Kroger: $2.79 for 24 16.9 oz. bottles (0.7 cents/fl. oz.)
Savings at Costco: 42.9% (0.3 cents/fl. oz.)

Cereal (Cheerios)
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Cheerios

Costco: $5.89 for two 20.35 oz. boxes (14.5 cents/oz.)
Kroger: $5 for one 20 oz. box (25 cents/oz.)
Savings at Costco: 42% (10.5 cents/oz.)

Frozen Waffles (Eggo Homestyle)
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Eggo Homestyle Frozen Waffles

Costco: $9.99 for six 12-count packages, 88.8 oz. (11.3 cents/oz.)
Kroger: $5.49 for one 24-count package, 29.6 oz. (18.5 cents/oz.)
Savings at Costco: 39% (7.2 cents/oz.)

Diet Coke
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Diet Coke

Costco: $10 for 35 12 oz. cans (2.4 cents/fl. oz.)
Kroger: $5.49 for 12 12 oz. cans (3.8 cents/fl. oz.)
Savings at Costco: 36.8% (1.4 cents/fl. oz.)

Eggs
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Eggs

(Large, Cage-Free)
Costco: $3.19 for 2 dozen, 48 oz. (6.6 cents/oz.)
Kroger: $2.49 for 1 dozen, 24 oz. (10.4 cents/oz.)
Savings at Costco: 36.5% (3.8 cents/oz.)

Nutella
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Nutella

Costco: $12 for two 33.5 oz. jars (17.9 cents/oz.)
Kroger: $9.79 for one 35.3 oz. jar (27.7 cents/oz.)
Savings at Costco: 35.4% (9.8 cents/oz.)

Mozzarella (Shredded, Store Brand)
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Shredded Mozzarella

(Store Brand)
Costco: $11 for 5 lbs. (13.7 cents/oz.)
Kroger: $6.79 for 2 lbs. (21.2 cents/oz.)
Savings at Costco: 35.4% (7.5 cents/oz.)

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Ritz Crackers

Costco: $8.89 for a 61.6 oz. pack (14.4 cents/oz.)
Kroger: $3 for a 13.7 oz. pack (21.8 cents/oz.)
Savings at Costco: 33.9% (7.4 cents/oz.)

Peanut Butter (Jif Creamy)
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Jif Creamy Peanut Butter

Costco: $9 for two 48 oz. jars (9.4 cents/oz.)
Kroger: $5.69 for a 40 oz. jar (14.2 cents/oz.)
Savings at Costco: 33.8% (4.8 cents/oz.)

Thomas’ Original English Muffins
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Thomas’ Original English Muffins

Costco: $5.79 for an 18-count, 36 oz. pack (16.1 cents/oz.)
Kroger: $2.79 for a 6-count, 12 oz. pack (23.3 cents/oz.)
Savings at Costco: 30.9% (7.2 cents/oz.)

Cheddar Cheese (Block, Store Brand)
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Cheddar Cheese

(Store Brand)
Costco: $4.79 for 2 lbs. (15 cents/oz.)
Kroger: $6.79 for 2 lbs. (21.2 cents/oz.)
Savings at Costco: 29.2% (6.2 cents/oz.)

Chicken Stock (Store Brand)
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Chicken Stock

(Store Brand)
Costco: $10 for six 32 oz. boxes (5.2 cents/oz.)
Kroger: $2.29 for one 32 oz. box (7.2 cents/oz.)
Savings at Costco: 27.8% (2 cents/oz.)

Green Beans (Canned, Store Brand)
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Canned Green Beans

(Store Brand)
Costco: $6 for 12 14.5 oz. cans (3.4 cents/oz.)
Kroger: $2.29 for a 50 oz. can (4.6 cents/oz.)
Savings at Costco: 26.1% (1.2 cents/oz.)

Orange Juice (Tropicana Pure Premium)
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Tropicana Pure Premium Orange Juice

Costco: $8.89 for three 59 oz. bottles (5 cents/fl. oz.)
Kroger: $6 for a 89 oz. bottle (6.7 cents/fl. oz.)
Savings at Costco: 25.4% (1.7 cents/fl. oz.)

Mayonnaise (Store Brand)
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Hellmann’s Mayonnaise

Costco: $7 for a 64 oz. jar (10.9 cents/oz.)
Kroger: $7 for a 48 oz. jar (14.6 cents/oz.)
Savings at Costco: 25.3% (3.7 cents/oz.)

Tea Bags (Lipton)
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Lipton Tea Bags

Costco: $9 for 312 bags, 24.9 oz. (36.1 cents/oz.)
Kroger: $3.79 for 100 bags, 8 oz. (47.4 cents/oz.)
Savings at Costco: 23.8% (11.3 cents/oz.)

White Bread (Sunbeam)
Target

Sunbeam White Bread

Costco: $3.29 for two 24 oz. loaves (6.9 cents/oz.)
Kroger: $2 for a 22 oz. loaf (9 cents/oz.)
Savings at Costco: 23.3% (2.1 cents/oz.)

Ketchup (Heinz)
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Heinz Ketchup

Costco: $8 for three 44 oz. bottles (6.1 cents/oz.)
Kroger: $8 for two 50.5 oz. bottles (7.9 cents/oz.)
Savings at Costco: 22.8% (1.8 cents/oz.)

Canned Tuna (Chicken Of The Sea, Chunk Light)
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Chicken of the Sea Chunk Light Canned Tuna

Costco: $14 for 12 7 oz. cans (16.7 cents/oz.)
Kroger: $2.59 for a 12 oz. can (21.6 cents/oz.)
Savings at Costco: 22.7% (4.9 cents/oz.)

Greek Yogurt (Store Brand)
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Greek Yogurt

(Store Brand)
Costco: $5.59 for a 48 oz. tub (11.6 cents/oz.)
Kroger: $4.79 for a 32 oz. tub (15 cents/oz.)
Savings at Costco: 22.7% (3.4 cents/oz.)

Butter (Unsalted, Store Brand)
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Unsalted Butter

(Store Brand) 
Costco: $10.49 for four 1 lb. packages (16.4 cents/oz.)
Kroger: $3.29 for a 1 lb. package (20.6 cents/oz.)
Savings at Costco: 20.4% (4.2 cents/oz.)

Nestle Drumsticks Variety Pack
Walmart

Nestle Drumstick Variety Pack

Costco: $9.49 for 16-count pack, 73.6 oz. (12.9 cents/oz.)
Kroger: $11.89 for 16-count pack, 73.6 oz. (16.2 cents/oz.)
Savings at Costco: 20.4% (3.3 cents/oz.)

Coffee (Maxwell House Original Roast)
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Maxwell House Original Roast Coffee

Costco: $8.49 for a 48 oz. canister (17.7 cents/oz.)
Kroger: $6.79 for a 30.6 oz. canister (22.2 cents/oz.)
Savings at Costco: 20.3% (4.5 cents/oz.)

Apples (Gala)
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Gala Apples

(Organic)
Costco: $8.79 for 5.5 lbs. (10 cents/oz.)
Kroger: $2/lb. (12.5 cents/oz.)
Savings at Costco: 20% (2.5 cents/oz.)

Boxed Macaroni and Cheese (Kraft)
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Kraft Boxed Macaroni and Cheese

Costco: $14 for 18 7.25 oz. boxes (10.7 cents/oz.)
Kroger: $4.79 for five 7.25 oz. boxes (13.2 cents/oz.)
Savings at Costco: 18.9% (2.5 cents/oz.)

Olive Oil (Extra Virgin, Store Brand)
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Extra Virgin Olive Oil

(Store Brand)
Costco: $13 for a 2-liter bottle (19.2 cents/oz.)
Kroger: $8 for a 34 oz. bottle (23.5 cents/oz.)
Savings at Costco: 18.3% (4.3 cents/oz.)

Sea Salt (Fine, Store Brand)
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Fine Sea Salt

(Store Brand)
Costco: $2.79 for a 30 oz. jar (9.3 cents/oz.)
Kroger: $2 for a 17.6 oz. jar (11.3 cents/oz.)
Savings at Costco: 17.7% (2 cents/oz.)

Shrimp (Frozen, Store Brand, 31/40-Count)
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Frozen Shrimp

(Store Brand)
Costco: $13.69 for a 2 lb. bag, 31-40 count (42.8 cents/oz.)
Kroger: $16 for a 2 lb. bag, 31-40 count (50 cents/oz.)
Savings at Costco: 14.4% (7.2 cents/oz.)

Vegetable Oil (Store Brand)
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Vegetable Oil

(Store Brand)
Costco: $7 for two 3-quart bottles (3.6 cents/fl. oz.)
Kroger: $5.19 for a 1-gallon jug (4.1 cents/fl. oz.)
Savings at Costco: 12.2% (0.5 cents/fl. oz.)

Ground Beef
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Ground Beef

Costco: $3.19/lb. (19.9 cents/oz.)
Kroger: $3.49/lb. (21.8 cents/oz.)
Savings at Costco: 8.7% (1.9 cents/oz.)

Baby Carrots
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Baby Carrots

(Organic)
Costco: $5.49 for 4 lbs. (8.6 cents/oz.)
Kroger: $1.50 for 1 lb. (9.4 cents/oz.)
Savings at Costco: 8.5% (0.8 cents/oz.)

Potatoes
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Potatoes

Costco: $7 for a 15 lb. bag (2.9 cents/oz.)
Kroger: $5 for a 10 lb. bag (3.1 cents/oz.)
Savings at Costco: 6.5% (0.2 cents/oz.)

Baked Beans (Canned, Bush's)
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Bush's Baked Beans

Costco: $8.89 for eight 16.5 oz. cans (6.7 cents/oz.)
Kroger: $3.89 for a 55 oz. can (7.1 cents/oz.)
Savings at Costco: 5.6% (0.4 cents/oz.)

Bananas
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Bananas

(Organic)
Costco: $2 for 3 lbs. (4.2 cents/oz.)
Kroger: 69 cents/lb. (4.3 cents/oz.)
Savings at Costco: 2.3% (0.1 cents/oz.)

Salsa (Store Brand)
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Salsa

(Store Brand)
Costco: $7.49 for two 38 oz. jars (9.9 cents/oz.)
Kroger: $7 for a 70 oz. jug (10 cents/oz.)
Savings at Costco: 1% (0.1 cents/oz.)

Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast
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Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast

Costco: $3/lb. (18.7 cents/oz.)
Kroger: $3/lb. (18.7 cents/oz.)
Savings: Tie

Grapes (Red, Seedless)
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Red Seedless Grapes

Costco: $8 for 4 lbs. (12.4 cents/oz.)
Kroger: $2/lb. (12.4 cents/oz.)
Savings: Tie

Onions
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Onions

Costco: $6 for a 10 lb. bag (3.7 cents/oz.)
Kroger: $1.79 for a 3 lb. bag (3.7 cents/oz.)
Savings: Tie

Pasta Sauce (Prego Traditional)
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Pasta Sauce

(Store Brand, Organic)
Costco: $9.59 for three 32 oz. jars (9.9 cents/oz.)
Kroger: $2.29 for a 25 oz. jar (9.2 cents/oz.)
Savings at Kroger: 7.1% (0.7 cents/oz.)

Mixed Vegetables (Frozen, Store Brand)
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Frozen Mixed Vegetables

(Store Brand)
Costco: $7.49 for a 5 lb. bag (9.4 cents/oz.)
Kroger: $5.69 for a 5 lb. bag (7.1 cents/oz.)
Savings at Kroger: 24.5% (2.3 cents/oz.)

Tomatoes (On the Vine)
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Tomatoes on the Vine

Costco: $5 for 2 lbs. (15.6 cents/oz.)
Kroger: $1.59/lb. (9.9 cents/oz.)
Savings at Kroger: 36.5% (5.7 cents/oz.)

Milk (2%, Store Brand)
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2% Milk

(Store Brand)
Costco: $2.09 a gallon (1.6 cents/fl. oz.)
Kroger: $1 a gallon (0.8 cents/fl. oz.)
Savings at Kroger: 50% (0.8 cents/fl. oz.)