Is a Costco membership really worth the annual fee?
Lots of people seem to think so. Costco boasted more than 145 million members in 2025 and has a U.S. renewal rate of over 90%.
While bulk groceries get the most attention, Costco’s savings can extend far beyond what ends up in your cart, from car repairs and contact lenses to travel packages and home appliances.
Here's a breakdown of what a Costco membership gets you, so you can decide if adding one more annual fee to your budget is worth it.
Costco membership price
Costco charges annual membership fees, which start at $65. In return, members get access to discounted prices on items.
Here’s a quick glance at what each membership tier offers:
| Gold Star ($65/yr) | Business ($65/yr) | Executive ($130/yr) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who it's for | Personal use | Business owners | Personal or business |
| Cards included | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Valid at all locations and Costco.com | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Can add extra cardholders | No | +$65/each | +$65/each |
| Early store access | No | No | 1 hr. early (Sun-Fri), 30 min. early (Sat) |
| Annual 2% reward | No | No | Up to $1,250 on qualified purchases |
Is Costco worth it?
Let’s do some rough math to figure it out.
Costco charges a baseline price of $65 just to walk through the door. Spread out that membership cost across a full year, and you’ll need to save $5.42 per month for it to be financially “worth it.”
That’s a pretty low bar.
If you can save even $0.10 per gallon of gas, that’s $1.50 on 15 gallons. If you fill up every week that’s $6 in savings right there.
A family of four spends between $1,000-$1,600 every month in groceries, according to USDA data. Costco wouldn’t account for all of that spending, but even if a family spends $500 a month ($6,000 a year). You’d need to save only 1% on purchases to break even. Costco advertises a 15%-20% savings compared with national brands.
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Here's some other ways to decide if a membership might be a good value:
✅ A Costco membership might be worth it if:
- You have kids, roommates or a larger family to shop for
- Live near a Costco
- Own a car and can use the Costco gas station regularly
- Have storage space for bulk goods and freezer items
- Book travel or rent cars occasionally
- Plan to buy an appliance in the next year or two
- Need affordable access to health care experts and care
❌ A Costco membership might not be worth it if you:
- Live alone
- Have limited freezer and/or storage space
- Don’t have easy access to a Costco location
- Shop impulsively
- Already have a membership to another warehouse store like Sam’s Club or BJ’s
» MORE: How to save on groceries
I have a Gold membership, and there are things I love — the premade food is easy to grab for busy nights, and I feel like I’m getting good quality items for my money. I also trust the Kirkland store brand and appreciate Costco's workplace policies.
But, I feel like the store opens too late (with young children, I’ve already lived three lives by 10 a.m.), and the line to checkout is always long. If Costco added Scan and Go like Sam’s Club, I’d never shop at another warehouse.
Costco membership perks beyond the warehouse
If you've ever been to a Costco on a Saturday morning, you know a thing or two about the crowds. The good news is that there are many more deals to be found outside the warehouse, if you know where to look:
- Travel deals: Members can visit Costco’s travel website to book vacation packages, hotels, cruises and rental cars. There are even theme park deals for all the Disney lovers out there.
- Pharmacy: Members can get discounts on their prescriptions, schedule immunizations and pick up pet medications at lower prices. You might be trading some convenience (no drive-thru window here), but there’s a mail order option.
- Shutterfly: Members save 51% on every Shutterfly order and free economy shipping if they spend more than $30. The discount is added right to your cart (no coupon code needed). Just be sure to add your membership to your Shutterfly account to take advantage of the deal.
- Sesame: Members can schedule virtual urgent care visits for $34, pay $65 for virtual therapy and more — including subscriptions for mental health, women’s health, weight loss and prescription skincare.
- Home appliances: There are some benefits to buying appliances from Costco. Delivery and installation are included in the price, and Costco will haul away your old model. There’s a two-year warranty included and you can earn up to 4% in rewards.
- Costco Auto Program: You might already know you can get car repairs done at Costco, and even new tires. But Costco sells cars, too. They have new and used vehicles and better deals for Executive members. Plug in your ZIP code to get a list of participating Costco dealers and local incentives.
If you’re thinking about how to leverage your Costco trip for points or credit card rewards, you might be able to earn more money back with the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi. Compare that credit card with other cash-back cards you may already carry.
Nerdy Perspective
I’ve been a Costco member since the year 2000. Over the years Costco has helped me save on car rentals; eyeglasses and contacts; tires; Pokémon cards; 800-thread-count sheets; diapers for my babies; two Dyson vacuums; countless photo calendars and Christmas cards; sleds; houseplants; appliances and electronics; giant slabs of wild king salmon; big ol’ jugs of Canadian maple syrup; and hunks of Gruyere. I use the home delivery service more often than I shop in-person, because, as any longtime fan knows, you don’t decide what you’re going home with from Costco: Costco decides for you!
Frequently Asked Questions
How to pay at Costco?
Visa credit cards are the only credit card type accepted at brick-and-mortar Costco stores in the U.S. Costco also accepts debit/ATM cards, cash, checks and traveler's checks, EBT cards and mobile payment methods such as Apple Pay and Google Pay.
Costco.com accepts MasterCard in addition to Visa credit cards.
Costco allows members to bring up to two guests to shop at a warehouse, but only members can make purchases.
If you need to make a return, Costco's return policy is unmatched. Costco will refund your purchase price on most items, with a few exceptions.
How do you sign up for a Costco membership?
To sign up, visit the membership desk at any location. You can also sign up online or by calling 1-800-774-2678.
Costco has an option to cancel your membership and receive a refund if you're dissatisfied.
Can I get a freebie membership?
No. The samples are free, but Costco doesn’t provide free memberships. There are new-member promotions for certain groups, such as digital shop cards, during promotional periods.
Certain groups might also qualify for discounts. Teachers, college students, medical professionals, military personnel, government employees and first responders may be eligible to receive a digital Costco gift card when they sign up
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- 1. Costco. Costco Wholesale 2025 Annual Report. Accessed May 28, 2026.
