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Is Costco or Sam's Club worth it for empty nesters? We did the math
Cassidy HortonAugust 1, 2025 at 4:37 AM
Think you're household's too small for Costco or Sam's Club? We did the math (andykatz via Getty Images)
If it's just you (or you and a partner), buying a 72-pack of frozen waffles or a gallon tub of mayo might feel … excessive. Or like a one-way ticket to throwing out moldy leftovers and reorganizing your garage every three weeks.
So is a Costco or Sam's Club membership really worth it for a one- or two-person household?
The short answer: It can be — but only if you know what to buy, what to skip and how to actually use what you bring home.
✏️ Real talk from the writer
I'm a single person who shops at Costco, and I have friends in two-person households who do the same. But we don't buy everything in bulk. The trick is knowing which purchases actually save you money — and which ones just feel like a deal until you do the math.
When to skip Costco or Sam's Club for small households
Let's start with the obvious: Costco and Sam's Club are designed for volume. And if you're not careful, that can turn into you wasting food, money or both.
Shopping at Costco or Sam's Club might not be worth it for one or two people if:
You don't eat things fast enough. That four-pound tub of hummus has an expiration date for a reason.
You live in a small space and can't store extra goods. What good is a year's supply of toilet paper if it has to live on the dining room table?
You shop impulsively. "$20 for 40 granola bars" sounds great … until you discover you hate that flavor.
You don't go often enough to justify the membership fee. If you're hitting up Sam's only a few times a year, that's a $25 fee before you even load up your cart.
4 times a warehouse club membership makes sense
Despite the warehouse-size packaging, shopping in bulk can make sense for empty nesters and small families — you just have to be a little strategic. Here's when a membership is totally worth it.
You go through staples like nobody's business.
Toilet paper. Trash bags. Paper towels. Laundry detergent. These things don't expire quickly, and they're always annoying to run out of.
Buying in bulk can mean a better per-unit price — especially on pantry items like olive oil, maple syrup and detergent — but not always. Our comparison found some bulk items were actually more expensive than their regular-size counterparts.
You've got snack loyalty.
If you know you love those granola bars or that brand of trail mix, buying the giant box can make financial sense (or at least save you time and trips to the store) if you know you'll finish it.
You need household upgrades.
I've personally scored my Dyson vacuum, TV, pillows, and bedsheets at Costco for way less than I would've paid at other big box stores. My friend got her snow tires and Bose headphones there. If you keep an eye out, the savings on big-ticket items alone can pay for your membership.
In fact, when we compared prices, warehouse clubs really stood out on electronics and home appliances — especially on name brands like Dyson and Bissell. If you're in the market for something like a vacuum, TV or portable carpet cleaner, you could save $50 to $200 or more just by buying it at Costco instead of Target or Amazon.
You use the other perks.
Costco gas is usually cheaper. Costco Travel has legit vacation deals. You can get prescription discounts, cheap optical appointments and discounted gift cards. These extras add up — and make the membership feel a lot more worth it.
🔍 Learn more: 20+ clever ways to save money: Earning, spending and boosting your bottom line
The "bulk savings" myth: When Costco costs more
A lot of people assume buying in bulk automatically saves you money — but that's not always the case.
Comparing unit prices for common items at Costco and Target, we found that some items are cheaper in bulk (especially olive oil, maple syrup and store-brand basics like detergent). But in a few surprising cases — like peanut butter and granola bars — your neighborhood grocery store might actually come out ahead.
So while the warehouse model does offer real savings on some items, it's not a guaranteed deal across the board. Your best bet is to price check the things you buy most often, and only stock up when the math (and your lifestyle) supports it.
Household item
Costco price (per unit)
Target price (per unit)
Toilet paper (per roll)
$0.83
$0.63
Nature Valley granola bars (per bar)
$0.30
$0.27
Peanut butter (per ounce)
$0.21
$0.12
Cheerios (per ounce)
$0.21
$0.29
Olive oil (per ounce)
$0.22
$0.35
Maple syrup (per ounce)
$0.44
$0.53
Trash bags (per bag)
$0.10
$0.12
Oat milk (per ounce)
$0.06
$0.07
Laundry detergent (per ounce)
$0.08
$0.12
Paper towels (per roll)
$2.00
$2.00
Dyson V15 Cordless Stick Vacuum
$559.99 (I checked my own receipt: It was $699.99 less a $140 member discount)
$799.99
Bissell Little Green Pet Portable Carpet Cleaner
$89.99
$114.99
Writer note: We used store brands where not indicated otherwise
🔍 Learn more: 10 best apps to save money on food — from groceries to restaurants
Maximizing your membership (without going broke)
If you're going to pay for a Costco or Sam's Club membership, you want to make it count. These tips can help you avoid our rookie mistakes — and actually save money.
Know what you're there for.
Make a list and stick to it. It's way too easy to walk in for laundry detergent and walk out with a kayak, a box of 100 protein bars and a five-pound wheel of brie (which, though delicious, will outlast most relationships).
Split the cost (and the goods).
Speaking of relationships, most warehouse clubs allow you to split a membership with a friend or family member. (Costco lets you add a household member, for example.) You can also shop together and divide up bulk items you'll never finish on your own. That way, you get the bulk savings without the bulk commitment to a freezer full of bagels.
Watch for deals on big-ticket items.
TVs, laptops, furniture, vacuums — these rotate through seasonal sales. If you're already in the market, it's worth checking prices at Costco or Sam's first. One big purchase could justify the annual fee.
Don't sleep on the services.
Gas, pharmacy, optical, tires, even travel — these behind-the-scenes benefits can quietly add up to hundreds in annual savings, especially if you're spending that money anyway.
🔍 Learn more: 100 best discounts for ages 50+: Groceries, dining, retail, travel and more
Bottom line: Is Costco or Sam's Club worth it for empty nesters?
Honestly? It depends on how you shop and what you buy.
If you value fewer trips to the store or love a good deal on electronics, home upgrades or vacation packages, a Costco or Sam's Club membership can absolutely pay off — whether you're flying solo or a duo. Especially if you're smart about it and skip the temptation to overbuy things you won't use.
But if you're only going for the occasional $5 rotisserie chicken or $1.50 hot dog deal, it might not be worth the annual fee.
As a single Costco shopper, I've learned when you focus on the right things — the stuff you use consistently, the big-ticket deals, the services you'd pay for anyway — the math checks out.
Even if you don't need 40 rolls of toilet paper, it's kind of nice knowing you won't run out anytime soon.
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📩 Have thoughts or comments about this story — or ideas on topics you'd like us to cover? Reach out to our team at [email protected].
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