Walmart Vs Sam's Club: Which Store Has Cheaper Groceries?

With grocery costs still stinging the wallet, everyday shopping trips can feel stressful instead of routine. It pays to examine not just what you're buying, but where you're shopping. Even Walmart and Sam's Club, divisions under the same massive company, deliver different value depending on how you shop.

Historically, the two operated on separate supply chains (a practice now shifting), which helped create distinct pricing models with surprising discrepancies. The same block of cheddar could be up to 30% cheaper at Sam's Club, while milk might run 20% less at Walmart. Each store offers its own advantages, with your grocery preferences and quantity needs ultimately shaping the value.

In general, Sam's Club offers lower unit prices on standard goods, but only in bulk. Walmart, by contrast, provides a far broader selection and accepts coupons. Many perks overlap across both, as the parent company shares technology; for example, both stores have their own Scan & Go feature for easy checkout and price checks. Whichever store you choose, you'll get convenience, but the savings and features depend on the details.

At Walmart, the advantage starts with accessibility. You don't need to pay the $50 Sam's Club membership fee just to enter, and once inside you'll find an impressive selection: Walmart carries roughly 20 times more products than Sam's Club. If you're loyal to a particular name-brand snack, cheese, or packaged product, Walmart comes out ahead on availability.

You can also purchase smaller quantities here, which helps avoid spoilage for singles, couples, and small families. If a 10-pound bag of onions or potatoes feels excessive, paying a few extra cents per pound at Walmart can be worthwhile, simply because of the smaller package sizes.

While Sam's Club typically wins on overall affordability, a few staples cost less at Walmart. Frozen fish, hot dogs, and milk are often priced lower here. Sure, Aldi may be cheaper than Walmart, but Walmart remains a reliable option for budget-conscious shoppers looking for a quick and convenient trip.

Sam's Club is built for bulk shopping, a model that naturally leads to lower costs across food and household categories. Whether it's alcohol, cereal, or laundry detergent, prices per ounce tend to be cheaper. A grocery haul comparison by Motley Fool found that, on average, items cost about 25% less per pound at Sam's Club than at Walmart (via Globe and Mail).

Extra savings also come through Sam's Club's private label, Member's Mark. Once seen as a weaker competitor, the brand has been significantly improved, offering high-quality goods at warehouse prices. This is a major benefit alongside its  generous return policy, which allows for returns on most items with no set time limit, a significant advantage over Walmart's standard 90-day return window. While Walmart does offer its own private label lines like the Great Value brand (which was ranked last in our strawberry ice cream taste test), its newer "Bettergoods" line focuses on more elevated and gourmet selections rather than bulk staples.

This makes Sam's Club especially strong on cost-effectiveness for generic, shelf-stable items. Frozen foods, cereals, and alcohol all tend to be far cheaper. Frequent consumption adds up: Cereals alone can cost up to 40% less than at Walmart, which means consistent weekly savings. For large families or businesses, Sam's Club offers the better deal.

Promotional savings also set the two apart. Sam's Club does not accept manufacturer coupons, and while it has a clearance section, items rotate quickly and are not always available. Every few months, the store sends out an instant savings booklet, and app users may find certain discounts automatically applied. Still, Sam's Club pricing is more consistent than heavily promotional.

Walmart, on the other hand, accepts manufacturer coupons and runs buy-one-get-one deals. It also frequently launches "rollback" promotions, temporarily dropping prices. Combined with its wider product selection, this creates more chances to find discounts. Seasonal clearance sales on technology, appliances, and apparel also help ease holiday shopping. For deal-seekers, Walmart comes out ahead.

Finally, both retailers offer memberships with perks like cashback and gas discounts. Walmart Plus and Sam's Club Plus memberships offer fairly comparable savings in these areas. If you prefer one retailer over the other, getting the membership can help you save even more.