As a San Franciscan, I often found myself wondering whether to go to Costco or Trader Joe’s for certain grocery items. I finally decided to dig into the pricing details to see which items were cheaper at each store.

Below is the resulting list of per-unit pricing at each store.

Things To Note

Not all items were available at both stores, so some items won’t have pricing for both and thus will show “Cheaper at” the one store that carries it. The yellow-highlighted per-unit pricing is the lower price of the two. The “$ Difference” column is per unit. The “% Difference” column is with respect to the lower price. Example: black beans are 14% cheaper at TJ’s and almonds are 20% cheaper at Costco. Calculations are based on pricing at Trader Joe’s and Costco in San Francisco.

Some Key Highlights:

Chia seeds are $0.26/ounce, or 170% , more expensive at Trader Joe’s.

, more expensive at Trader Joe’s. Olive oil is $0.09/ounce, or 95% , more expensive at Trader Joe’s.

, more expensive at Trader Joe’s. Quinoa is $0.167/ounce, or 203% , more expensive at Trader Joe’s.

, more expensive at Trader Joe’s. Brown rice is $0.026/ounce, or 72% , more expensive at Trader Joe’s.

, more expensive at Trader Joe’s. Spinach is $0.08/ounce, or 70% , more expensive at Trader Joe’s.

, more expensive at Trader Joe’s. 2% milk is $1.99/gallon, or 66% , more expensive at Trader Joe’s.

, more expensive at Trader Joe’s. Hummus is the same price at each.

Of course, any sales at either store will change things.

If there are any items/details you’d like to see added to this sheet, let me know in the comments below!

Costco vs. Trader Joe’s Price Comparison

Click here for the shared Google sheet with better formatting/visibility than the view below. Scroll right on the view below to see all columns.

Item Cheaper at Trader Joe's Price Trader Joe's Size unit $/unit Costco Price Costco Size unit $/unit $ Difference Per Unit % Difference Per Unit Chia seeds Costco 4.99 12 ounce $0.416 7.39 48 ounce $0.154 $0.262 170% Pistachios Costco 5.99 8 ounce $0.749 11.99 32 ounce $0.375 $0.374 100% Olive oil Costco 6.49 33.8 ounce $0.192 19.99 203 ounce $0.099 $0.093 95% Quinoa Costco 3.99 16 ounce $0.249 6.59 80 ounce $0.082 $0.167 203% Spinach Costco 2.29 12 ounce $0.191 4.49 40 ounce $0.112 $0.079 70% Milk 2% Costco 2.49 0.5 gallon $4.980 5.99 2 gallon $2.995 $1.985 66% Vanilla almond milk Costco 1.79 32 ounce $0.056 7.39 192 ounce $0.038 $0.017 45% Macadamia nuts Costco 10.99 10 ounce $1.099 19.79 24 ounce $0.825 $0.274 33% Greek yogurt Costco 4.99 32 ounce $0.156 5.99 48 ounce $0.125 $0.031 25% Frozen chicken tenderloins Costco 7.99 40 ounce $0.200 15.99 96 ounce $0.167 $0.033 20% Almonds Costco 4.99 16 ounce $0.312 12.49 48 ounce $0.260 $0.052 20% Walnuts Costco 4.99 16 ounce $0.312 12.49 48 ounce $0.260 $0.052 20% Cashews Costco 6.99 16 ounce $0.437 14.89 40 ounce $0.372 $0.065 17% Tofu Costco 1.99 19 ounce $0.105 5.79 64 ounce $0.090 $0.014 16% Bread Costco 3.99 24 loaf $0.166 7.99 54 loaf $0.148 $0.018 12% Pea Protein Costco 13.99 18 ounce $0.777 29.99 43.2 ounce $0.694 $0.083 12% Pecans Costco 4.99 8 ounce $0.624 13.79 24 ounce $0.575 $0.049 9% Brown Rice Costco 2.99 48 ounce $0.062 28.99 800 ounce $0.036 $0.026 72% Eggs Costco 1.99 12 egg $0.166 3.79 24 egg $0.158 $0.008 5% Chestnuts Costco NA NA NA NA 6.59 20 ounce $0.330 Mixed veggies (frozen) Costco NA NA NA NA 8.69 88 ounce $0.099 Avocados Trader Joe's 2.99 6 avocado, small $0.498 6.49 5 avocado, large $1.298 $0.800 160% Frozen strawberries Trader Joe's 1.99 16 ounce $0.124 9.99 64 ounce $0.156 $0.032 26% Pumpkin seeds Trader Joe's 6.99 16 ounce $0.437 9.79 18 ounce $0.544 $0.107 24% Black beans (canned) Trader Joe's 0.79 15.5 ounce $0.051 0.87 15 ounce $0.058 $0.007 14% Garbanzo beans (canned) Trader Joe's 0.79 15.5 ounce $0.051 0.87 15 ounce $0.058 $0.007 14% Hummus Trader Joe's 3.49 16 ounce $0.218 6.99 32 ounce $0.218 $0.000 0% Brazilian nuts Trader Joe's 6.99 12 ounce $0.583 NA NA NA NA Edamame (frozen) Trader Joe's 1.99 12 ounce $0.166 NA NA NA NA Flax seed Trader Joe's 2.99 15 ounce $0.199 NA NA NA NA Kale Trader Joe's 1.69 10 ounce $0.169 NA NA NA NA Lentils Trader Joe's 1.69 16 ounce $0.106 NA NA NA NA Mushrooms (sliced) Trader Joe's 2.49 10 ounce $0.249 NA NA NA NA Celery Sticks Trader Joe's 1.99 16 ounce $0.124 5.99 40 ounce $0.150 $0.025 20%

Other Ways to Save Money

Get up to 3.5% cash back on groceries.

Create a budget, including for groceries, and stick to it.

Stop spending so much on your phone bill.

Use Nike’s warranty to pay for shoes once for the rest of your active life.

Like this: Like Loading...