8 Costco Items That Are Literally Half What You'd Pay on Amazon

With prices on everyday essentials rising, shopping strategically has become one of the most effective ways to save money. Warehouse clubs like Costco are more appealing than ever for shoppers wanting to stretch their budget without giving up their favorite brands, and you can find many items that cost significantly less than if you bought them on Amazon.

Here are 8 items that allow you to save money at Costco, costing half as much as they do on Amazon. We compared the price per unit, such as per ounce, pound, or count, so you can see exactly how much you save on each item.

Price: $17.62

This 37.5-ounce Costco container of Downy Unstopables In-Wash Scent Booster Beads costs around 47 cents per ounce. Amazon doesn't sell the same size, but a 30.1-ounce container costs $18.97 there, which works out to 63 cents per ounce. 

You'll save significantly by purchasing this laundry booster at Costco rather than online at Amazon. The scent beads go into the washer drum at the start of a load, and you can adjust how much you use depending on how strong you want the fragrance. 

They work in regular and high-efficiency machines, and the large container lasts through plenty of laundry days before you need to restock.

Price: $16.99

Trash bags are a necessary purchase, but not much fun or long-lasting. Therefore, the more money you can save on them, the better. Costco sells a 200-count box of 13-gallon Kirkland Signature Flex-Tech Kitchen Trash Bags for only about 8.5 cents per bag. That's enough to line a standard kitchen can for months.

The same-sized Amazon Basics Flextra Multipurpose Drawstring Trash Bags come in a 50-pack, which is $12.67, making each bag $0.25. At those prices, the Costco bags cost less than half as much per bag. Kirkland also makes a scented version of the same 200-count box if you prefer a fresh fragrance.

Price: $13.29

Nuts can be expensive, but they're a delicious and filling snack, so it's a pantry staple you'll want to stock up on for a good deal. Kirkland Signature Extra Fancy Mixed Salted Nuts come in a 2.5-pound container and cost around $5.30 per pound. The same product is $24.99 on Amazon, which translates to approximately $10 per pound. 

The mix is about 45% cashews, along with almonds, pecans, Brazil nuts, and macadamia nuts. Snack on them straight from the jar, add a handful to trail mix or salads, or set out a bowl for guests during the holidays and game days.

Price: $7.89

You can buy 10 pounds of Quaker Old Fashioned Oats at Costco for only about 5 cents per ounce. On Amazon, you can purchase the same oats in a four-pack of 4-pound bags (16 pounds total) for $33.76, making it about 13 cents per ounce. 

It's more than double the price on Amazon, making Costco the clear choice for buying oats. The 10-pound box comes as two 80-ounce bags, which makes it easier to store. 

Use the oats for hot breakfast bowls, overnight oats, granola, cookies, or meatloaf. Oats are a pantry staple that stores well for months in an airtight container.

Price: $25.99

Premier protein shakes are ideal for post-workout recovery, having 30 grams of protein, and you don't have to spend a fortune on them. You can purchase an 18-pack of the chocolate flavor at Costco, which results in each drink costing only about $1.44. If you order them on Amazon, you can get an 18-pack for $56.99, which works out to about $3.17 each. 

Each shake comes in a ready-to-drink 11-ounce carton that doesn't need refrigeration until opened, so you can keep a few in your gym bag, car, or desk drawer. They also work as a quick breakfast on busy mornings or blended into smoothies.

Price: $13.99

For only about 3.7 cents per sheet, you can obtain 380 Lysol wipes, distributed across four 95-count containers. Two of the containers are Crisp Linen scent, and two are Lemon and Lime Blossom. On Amazon, you can purchase four packs of 80-count wipes for $14.97, or about 4.7 cents per wipe, which is slightly more than Costco. 

You also get 60 more wipes in the Costco pack. Keep a canister in the kitchen, bathroom, and car to quickly wipe down countertops, doorknobs, light switches, remotes, and other high-touch surfaces around your home. The variety pack also gives you two fresh scents to rotate.

Price: $16.99

Organic, unbleached flour can be expensive, but you can purchase two 10-pound bags at Costco for just about 85 cents per pound. The flour is USDA-certified organic and milled by Central Milling, an employee-owned company that has been making flour for more than 150 years. Use it for breads, pizza dough, cookies, pancakes, and other everyday baking.

A comparable item on Amazon, King Arthur Organic and Unbleached All-Purpose Flour, costs $6.63 for a 5-pound bag, making it about $1.33 per pound. That makes the Costco flour roughly a third cheaper per pound, a big difference for frequent home bakers who go through flour quickly.

Price: $12.59

Kirkland Signature Organic Pure Maple Syrup is available in a 33.8-ounce container and is certified kosher and gluten-free. At only about 37 cents per ounce at Costco, it's significantly less expensive than a comparable product on Amazon. The amber syrup is pure maple, so there's no corn syrup or added flavoring.

Amazon sells 365 by Whole Foods Market organic maple syrup in a 32-ounce container for $18.98, which works out to 59 cents per ounce. Drizzle it on pancakes and waffles, stir it into oatmeal or coffee, or use it to glaze salmon, carrots, and Brussels sprouts. It also works in baking and salad dressings.

Shopping at Costco isn't just about buying in bulk. It's also about paying less for the same products you'd find online. Now, you can save money on groceries by planning your next stock-up trip with these price comparisons in mind. 

Costco also offers unique member perks like discounted gas, travel savings, and free health screenings, adding even more value to your membership.

Before you shop, compare the price per unit rather than the sticker price, since savings vary by item and some Amazon deals come close to Costco's prices. Warehouse prices can also differ from what you see on Costco's website.