Items to buy at Costco vs. Grocery Store

I have written about some foods being better deals at grocery stores (Costco vs. Supermarkets). Although for the same or very similar items, Costco generally has better deals, there are definitely times when grocery stores items are marked down to below Costco prices. 

I found an article comparing Costco and Kroger (a grocery store…there are none in my area) prices. I imagine that most of the information applies to most major grocery chains. Therefore, I focused this post on the items mentioned rather than specific costs or savings. Although I do agree that these items make sense to buy at Costco, there are a few things to consider in making the comparisons. First, the comparisons are limited to the specific (and limited (Freedom of or from choice?)) items that Costco sells. Second, obviously one has to be willing to purchase the large quantity. Third, many of the items on this list are unlikely to be on sale whereas if they were on sale at grocery stores, the prices may beat those at Costco. However, some items (e.g., yogurt) tends to be cheaper at Costco even when on sale at the supermarket.

Hereare17things that are cheaper at Costco than a regular grocery store

1. Harmless Harvest Coconut Water

The author raves about this coconut water but not about the price. Therefore, she recommends buying it at Costco.

I have mentioned that, although intrigued by it, I have never tried coconut water. If I like it, it would certainly make sense to buy it at Costco. Therefore, it may be one of the items that I spend more to buy one at a grocery store to try and then if I like it, but it at Costco from then on. 

2. Walnut Halves

The article suggests walnuts as an item to purchase at Costco. 

I have written about the high quality of the mixed nuts (Product Review: Kirkland Signature Extra Fancy Unsalted Mixed Nuts). When compared with prices of nuts at other stores, they are also a good deal. As with most items, Costco sells high quality items at good prices. Although I don’t like walnuts very much, the tip applies to all nuts at Costco. 

3. Mini Babybel Original Snack Cheese

Another item to buy at Costco over grocery stores are these small cheese bites.

I don’t eat this cheese anymore but I remember it being a fun snack. Given that they can get eaten quickly, it does seem like a good item to buy in bulk at Costco.

4. Italian Extra Virgin Olive Oil

The author mentions that she buys a lot of this olive oil and therefore saves a lot by buying it at Costco.

I don’t buy olive oil but I have written before about the recommendation to buy it at Costco (What Food Experts Purchase at Costco); (More Top Notch Kirkland Products); (Kirkland Products: 12 to buy))

5. SmokedSalmon

The article highlights the savings on the lox at Costco as compared to at grocery stores. 

Salmon is delicious but can be very expensive. Even with the lower prices at Costco for the smoked fish options (Product Review:Kirkland Signature Smoked Salmon); (Product Review: Blue hill Bay smoked whitefish)) it can still get pricey. My family tends to only buy the whole whitefish for the High Holidays (although it is so good that each year we comment that we should get it a few more times during the year). However, we like the lox so much that we almost always have some in the house. If it were not such a good deal at Costco, I think it would be more of a special treat. 

6. Coca-Cola

The article suggests buying soda at Costco to save on each can. 

I was surprised to see soda on this list as it was one of the items I specifically listed in my post (Costco vs. Supermarkets). However, here is an example of when there is a huge difference if the soda is on sale at the grocery store.

7. ChobaniGreekYogurt

The small containers of Chobani yogurt are another suggestion to buy at Costco.

I love yogurt but tend to stick to plain yogurt these days because I find flavored too sweet (Product Review: Kirkland Organic Greek Yogurt). However, when I used to buy the individual Chobani cartons, the best sale price was basically $1/container (occasionally 88¢), which is more than Costco’s everyday price. Therefore, although this yogurt is frequently on sale at grocery stores, it is an example of an item for which the Costco price is lower than even the lowest grocery store sale price. 

However, a limitation of buying the yogurts at Costco is that, because sold in a variety pack, it is only helpful if one eats all flavors. One of the fun parts of buying the yogurts on sale in the past was that they had so many options, so it was a good opportunity to try new flavors.

8. FrozenChickenBreasts

The article suggests buying this frozen chicken for more savings at Costco.

Not for me but being able to save money on items that can last in the freezer (and therefore be unlikely to go to waste) is definitely a bonus.

9. San Pellegrino Sparkling Water

The author highlights the savings on these water bottles, which she suggests serving at dinner parties.

I have mentioned that I don’t like seltzer very much but am interested in trying it again. However, I am more likely to buy a few cheap store brand bottles to mix with a little juice rather than a higher end brand. However, certainly these savings are good for people who can tell and care about the difference among different brands of seltzer.

10. Spindrift

Another fizzy beverage on which to save by buying at Costco is Spindrift.

I have also mentioned my interest in trying this beverage. 

11. Yasso Greek Yogurt Bars

The author cautions that, although these bars can be a good dessert option, they can be pricey. Therefore, she suggests buying them at Costco.

I have never had these bars but think they look good (on the rare occasions that I choose to eat novelties.) Although not my favorite, sometimes I want a fudge bar or Popsicle. I am also interested in some of the newer ice cream or frozen yogurt bars without the chocolate coating (decades ago I tried orange/vanilla and raspberry/vanilla ice cream bars and enjoyed them both), but they are so expensive in grocery stores. Therefore, if I like an item such as bars, I’d definitely get them at Costco.

12. Dunkin’ Ground Coffee

Another item that is cheaper at Costco than at grocery stores is coffee.

I don’t drink coffee but my family has definitely taken advantage of the cheaper price of this coffee at Costco. In addition to the regular Costco price being lower than in grocery stores, it is occasionally highlighted in the Costco “coupon” book, enabling even more savings. 

13. Almond Butter

The author points out the savings on this nut butter and suggests several uses for it. 

I buy this almond butter at Costco both for the taste and the price (Product Review: Kirkland almond butter.) I am frequently surprised by how expensive non-peanut butters at grocery stores tend to be. They are even more expensive when all natural, this making the Costco variety an especially good price.

14. Cinnamon Toast Crunch

Another item mentioned in the article is this cereal option.

I am always amazed at how expensive cereal is. I eat granola (Product Review: Kirkland Ancient Grains granola) the most and it’s definitely cheaper at Costco than to buy Nature’s Path cereals (the brand that makes the exclusive granola for Costco). I actually listed cereal as an item that is often better to buy at grocery store because of frequent sales (Costco vs. Supermarkets). Therefore, I would still first look for sales at grocery stores before buying the same type of cereal at Costco. In addition, As compared to supermarkets, Costco sells such a limited item of cereals (Freedom of or from choice?)

15. Organic ChickenStock

The author points out the frequent use of chicken stock in recipes, thereby making it a staple for the kitchen. 

I don’t buy this but I am not surprised that it is a better deal at Costco. I don’t know if Costco still carries it, but it used to sell multi-box packs of soup. Each box was less than a single box at the grocery store.

16. Marcona Almonds

The article points out the savings on these nuts, recognizing that they are a gourmet nuts variety.

When I get the mixed nuts (Product Review: Kirkland Signature Extra Fancy Unsalted Mixed Nuts), I am on the hunt for these marcona almonds, which, unfortunately, are the least prevalent nut in the mix. They are so good. The regular almonds are good too but the marcona almonds are a real treat. I commented that one limitation of mixed nuts is that some of the flavors “rub off” on each other. Therefore, sometimes I like to have nuts of all one type. I see these almonds a lot at Costco and have been tempted to get them. However, even at Costco I find them expensive. So, if I do splurge and get them, it would definitely be at Costco but they are not something I am likely to buy anywhere.

17. Nature Valley Granola Bars

The author points out the convenience and the savings on these bars. 

I definitely view Costco as the place to get any sort of individually-packed snacks. If a snack that I eat frequently, it makes sense to buy in bulk because I get to save money and am confident that I will use them all. 

Do you buy these items at Costco instead of the grocery store? Any other items you’d add to the list?