Costco might pride itself on affordability, but you could be overpaying for some items at the bulk store without even realizing it. Low-cost retailers tend to balance out rock-bottom prices with items that aren’t quite as good of a deal.
Many consumers rely on Costco as a one-stop shop for competitive prices and an impressive selection of virtually anything you can imagine.
These ridiculously overpriced Costco products will make you rethink your shopping list:
Milk
Think twice before restocking your fridge with Costco’s milk gallons. In a 2023 comparison of whole milk prices at five popular grocery chains, Simply Recipes found Costco the second most expensive after Whole Foods. Since Costco also typically sells its dairy products in packs of two, it can be challenging for some households to finish the milk before it expires.
Spices
Unless you regularly cook for large crowds, buying spices from Costco is not worth it. The store only offers massive spice containers that are impractical for many families. CNBC suggests skipping the Costco-sized spices, which usually go bad and begin to lose their flavor within six months.
Avocados
Many agree that shoppers should stop buying avocados from Costco. According to Mashed, users of a Costco-focused online forum expressed frustrations at the steep price and disappointing quality of the store’s Peruvian avocados. Similarly, The Daily Meal warns against purchasing unripe avocados at Costco, as they usually take a long time to soften.
Pasta
Costco’s dry pasta offerings aren’t worth your money. Supermarket chains typically discount boxed pasta, making it cheaper than Costco’s options. The Motley Fool reports pasta is usually around $1 per pound at Costco, while local stores offer alternatives for under $0.90 per pound.
Seasonal Decorations
Skip the holiday decor when shopping at Costco—while the store is usually budget-friendly, its seasonal home items are frequently overpriced. In 2022, Business Insider reported that several holiday decor pieces, such as a 6-foot Santa lawn decoration, cost over $200 at Costco.
Artificial Christmas trees can also be hundreds at the bulk store. That’s surprisingly pricey, considering other retailers offer similar options for much less.
Diamond Engagement Rings
Shoppers should rethink buying diamond engagement rings through Costco. In 2024, The Diamond Pro rated Costco’s diamonds an abysmal 2.17 out of five stars.
While it acknowledges their high quality, it highlights the lack of setting styles as a major con. Consider other retailers for comparable prices and craftsmanship but much better variety.
Canned Soda
Food Republic recommends that shoppers avoid Costco soda cans. While the base price might be lower than average, local grocery stores often run sales that make canned soda more competitively priced. Your selection is also more limited at Costco, which does not sell 2-liter bottles or store-brand versions.
Just Bare Lightly Breaded Chicken Breast Chunks
You can save money by picking up the Kirkland Lightly Breaded Chicken Chunks instead of the Just Bare version, which costs $21.99 for a 4-pound bag. With the Kirkland brand product, you can get the same amount of chicken for only $13.99. Some compare the Just Bare chicken chunks to Chick-fil-A nuggets, but the Kirkland version is equally tasty and much more affordable.
Outdoor Furniture
Paying full price for a patio furniture set can majorly hurt your wallet, so only buy outdoor furniture at Costco if you can score it on sale. The craftsmanship and quality vary depending on the brand, so it’s not worth spending over $1,000 on outdoor items only to discover you dislike them. Compare Costco’s patio furniture prices to other retailers in your area to snag the best deal possible.
Kirkland Salmon Milano with Basil Pesto Butter
The Kirkland brand Salmon Milano with Basil Pesto Butter is one of Costco’s most expensive premade meals. Expect a hefty price for the fresh seafood dish—trays can cost over $30, as the salmon is upwards of $15 a pound. While the premade dinner is fresh and tasty, it’s a costly meal that requires some at-home preparation.
Bananas
Don’t buy bananas at Costco unless you’re prepared to eat many in a short timeframe. The store usually sells sizable packs of green bananas that aren’t ready to eat—once ripe, you must consume them quickly before they spoil. You’re better off picking up smaller, more manageable bundles of bananas from your local store to minimize food and money waste.
Ground Coffee
If you buy Costco coffee, opt for whole beans. Ground coffee will likely expire and go stale before using the entire package. Buying whole coffee beans and grinding them at home makes your coffee supply last longer and delivers fresher, more flavorful cups.
These Costco products hold up against name-brand competitors
Costco’s in-house brand, Kirkland, offers many wallet-friendly alternatives to expensive items. These Costco products will help you save without compromising quality.
15 Cheap Costco Products That Outperform Their Name-Brand Counterparts
Skip these purchases to avoid getting ripped off
Some products have become so pricey that they aren’t worth purchasing anymore. Your wallet will thank you for skipping these overpriced items.
13 Grossly Overpriced Products That Are Totally Ripping You Off
Elise Armitage is an entrepreneur and founder of What The Fab, a travel + lifestyle blog based in California. At the beginning of 2019, Elise left her corporate job at Google to chase her dreams: being an entrepreneur and helping women find fabulous in the everyday. Since then, she’s launched her SEO course Six-Figure SEO, where she teaches bloggers how to create a passive revenue stream from their website using SEO. Featured in publications like Forbes, Elle, HerMoney, and Real Simple, Elise is a firm believer that you can be of both substance and style.
