$100 at Costco vs. Trader Joe's: The Same Groceries, Two Very Different Bills
Choosing between Costco and Trader Joe's is a weekly dilemma for anyone watching their grocery budget.
Both retailers have great products and loyal fan bases, but they cater to very different shopping styles. Costco offers bulk savings and warehouse-sized value, while Trader Joe's wins shoppers over with unique finds, smaller portions and budget-friendly staples.
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But when it comes to pure price, which one actually gives you more for your money? To find out, we tracked what a little more than $100 in groceries at Costco would cost at Trader Joe's.
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Creamy Peanut Butter
Trader Joe's price: $2.49
Costco's price: $11.69
For all of the peanut butter fans out there, take note that Trader Joe's has Creamy Salted Peanut Butter available in a 16-ounce jar for about $2.50, while Costco offers a two-count of Kirkland Signature Organic Peanut Butter, with each container holding 28 ounces, for just under $12.
For those doing the math, it's actually a slightly better deal per ounce (by 5 cents) to pick up your PB at TJ's
Ranch Dressing
Trader Joe's price: $3.99
Costco's price: $14.99
The Costco price of Hidden Valley Original Ranch Homestyle Dressing is only $15 for a two-count of 40 fluid ounces of your favorite salad dressing. Trader Joe's has an 11-ounce bottle of Buttermilk Ranch on sale for $3.99, which you'd need to buy almost eight bottles of to match what you get from Costco.
Balsamic Vinegar
Trader Joe's price: $5.99
Costco's price: $39.99
An 8.5-fluid-ounce bottle of balsamic vinegar at Trader Joe's comes out to about $6. Put that up against Costco's Kirkland Signature Organic Modena Balsamic Vinegar two-pack with 33.8 fluid ounces in each bottle. Do the math to see how much your dollar can stretch for this staple item in your kitchen, as it's a pretty tight race with TJ's coming in at about $0.70 per ounce, whereas Costco costs about $0.67 per ounce.
Breakfast Coffee
Trader Joe's price: $18.99
Costco's price: $46.99
At Costco, the Kirkland Signature USDA Organic Whole Bean Blend 2-pound, 2-pack will cost you just under $50. Compare that to when you pick up two 28-ounce cans of Organic Fair Trade Wake Up Blend Coffee at Trader Joe's for about $19 each -- TJ's gives you slightly more beans for your buck.
Final Grocery Bill Total
Trader Joe's total: $31.46
Costco's total: $113.60
If you wanted to get the same quantity of product at Trader Joe's that you do at Costco, you would have to purchase multiple units of each. However, if you were just on a grocery run, checking off one-for-one items on your list, your totals would vary substantially, without necessarily reflecting your savings.
Editor’s note: Prices and availability are subject to change. Caitlyn Moorhead contributed to the reporting for this article.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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