Despite being known for selling affordable and quality goods, the American warehouse chain store Costco has always been popular among consumers for its cost-effective products. However, Costco operates on a membership-based retail model, primarily targeting the middle-class demographic. But surprisingly, some of the bulk items sold at Costco are priced even lower than those at the nearby dollar store “Dollar Tree”.
For decades, dollar stores have been known for offering cheap and diverse products, catering to consumers with limited family budgets. In the United States, Dollar Tree and Dollar General are two major discount stores.
At the same time, Costco remains one of the top choices for everyday shopping for households on a tight budget. In addition to essential items, Costco offers a wide range of products, including kitchen towels, bath towels, office supplies, and over-the-counter medications, all in one place to meet all shopping needs.
Whether you’re looking to purchase cleaning supplies or snacks, Costco members often find great deals at this large retailer, helping them save on expenses. Many of the products offered at Costco are priced even lower than popular items at Dollar Tree.
Listed below are 11 products available at Costco that are priced lower than Dollar Tree, including everyday essentials and foods. (Note: Prices and availability may vary and are subject to change based on time and location).
At Costco, a pack of 12 rolls of Kirkland Signature Paper towels is priced at $23.99, covering a total area of 1,026 square feet. These double-layer paper towels have excellent absorbency, making them an ideal choice for quick cleanups.
Dollar Tree also sells similar paper towels, with a pack of two rolls priced at $3, covering a total area of 111.8 square feet.
The cost per square foot for Costco paper towels is 2.3 cents. Meanwhile, Dollar Tree paper towels are priced at 2.68 cents per square foot, making Costco the more cost-effective option.
Buying in bulk is the best way to save on household essentials. At Costco, a pack of 30 rolls of Kirkland toilet paper is priced at $24.99.
Dollar Tree offers a pack of 6 rolls of toilet paper for $5, with each roll covering 31 square feet (about 2.7 square meters).
While the cost per roll may be the same, Costco’s toilet paper offers approximately 16 additional square feet per roll (around 4.6 square meters), making it more cost-efficient.
Alkaline batteries are a household essential. Costco sells a pack of 48 Kirkland alkaline batteries for only $15.99. The price of each battery is just over 33 cents.
At Dollar Tree, you can purchase a pack of 4 alkaline batteries for $3, with each battery priced at 75 cents.
Buying hand soap in bulk ensures there is soap at every sink in the house. Costco offers a pack of two bottles of Softsoap Advanced Clean hand soap for $12.99. The price per ounce is 8 cents.
Dollar Tree sells regular Softsoap hand soap for $1.25, or 17 cents per ounce.
Dawn Powerwash is a versatile cleaner suitable for dishwashing and household stains. Costco offers a starter kit, including a spray bottle and two refill bottles (totaling 64.5 ounces), for a discounted price of $10.09. Meanwhile, Dollar Tree only sells a 16-ounce spray bottle for $5.
Despite the initial lower price at Dollar Tree, the cost per ounce of this cleaner is 31 cents, compared to Costco’s starter kit priced at 16 cents per ounce.
Kraft Macaroni & Cheese is a classic food item, perfect for a quick lunch or simple dinner side dish. At Costco, you can purchase a box of 18 individual packs of macaroni and cheese for $18.99. Each pack is priced at $1.06.
Dollar Tree also sells Kraft Macaroni & Cheese for $1.25 per pack.
A roll of 500 feet long Kirkland aluminum foil from Costco can last a long time. Priced at $35.99 per roll, the cost per square foot is 5 cents.
Dollar Tree offers smaller 25 square foot rolls of aluminum foil for $1.75 per roll, resulting in a cost of 7 cents per square foot.
Crest 3D White toothpaste helps prevent cavities while removing surface stains on teeth. Costco sells a pack of five tubes for $17.99, with each 5.2-ounce tube costing $3.52.
At Dollar Tree, you can buy a 2.4-ounce tube of similar toothpaste for $5.
The cost per ounce at Costco is 68 cents, while purchasing from Dollar Tree results in a cost of $2.08 per ounce.
Honey Nut Cheerios are a heart-healthy food with low cholesterol content, making them an ideal choice for quick breakfasts or snacks. Costco offers two boxes of 27.5-ounce Honey Nut Cheerios for the regular price of $11.99, with each ounce priced at 21 cents.
Dollar Tree provides 3.5-ounce small bags of Honey Nut Cheerios for $1.25, resulting in a cost of 35 cents per ounce, which is 14 cents higher than at Costco.
Trash bags are another essential household item that sees continuous use, and buying in bulk is one way to save money. Kirkland brand Flex-Tech 13-gallon capacity trash bags are priced at $20.99 for a pack of 200. Each bag is priced at 11 cents.
Dollar Tree sells lavender-scented trash bags under their own brand for $5 for 35 bags, making each bag priced at 14 cents.
Whether preparing for a family picnic, a holiday feast, or using disposable cutlery to avoid dishwashing, you can purchase a pack of 500 thick plastic forks at Costco for $15.39, which equates to 3 cents per fork.
At Dollar Tree, a pack of 30 thick plastic forks is priced at $1.25, resulting in a cost of 4 cents per fork.