I Priced the Same Halloween Haul at Costco & Sam's Club - Here's Who Was the Clear Winner

Halloween is almost here, and there's a warehouse club versus warehouse club showdown on spook-tacular deals happening right now. If you've ever wondered, "Can I really save money at Sam's Club, or is Costco the better value?", I've got an answer for you.

I browsed both stores for the hottest Halloween bargains and compared the cost of everything from trick-or-treat-ready sweets to attention-grabbing animatronics. While both retailers offered budget-friendly buys, I could only crown one as the winner.

Which members-only club came out on top? Keep reading to see where I scored the best prices on my Halloween holiday haul this year.

Editor's note: Prices and availability are subject to change and may vary by location.

Halloween candy

Winner: Sam's Club

Despite a recent drop in cocoa prices, the cost of chocolate candy hasn't followed suit, according to CNBC. This makes price-shopping for mini bars and peanut butter cups absolutely essential. Smaller grocery stores don't offer the bulk-buying power that you could find at Sam's or Costco. That's why I go straight to the warehouse clubs. But which one has the best prices?

Sam's Club sells a 185-piece, 75.22-ounce variety pack of Mars minis (Starburst, Twix, M&M's, Skittles, and Snickers) for $23.98. But if you're only buying this bag for Halloween, the assortment is on sale for $21.98 until October 31.

Costco sells a larger 90-ounce bag of Kirkland Signature Favorites (Kit Kat, Snickers, M&M's, Twix, M&M's Peanut, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, Milky Way, Hershey's Milk Chocolate, Butterfinger, and Almond Joy) for $28.99. In a cost-per-ounce comparison, Sam's sale price wins at $0.29 versus $0.32.

Pumpkins

Winner: Sam's Club

My Halloween haul always includes two categories of pumpkins: real and decorative (a.k.a. fake). Sam's Club sells a plain pumpkin for $6.96. Costco has a more stylish selection of "heirloom" pumpkins (available in traditional orange, white, or green) for $7.93. While I am a fan of Costco's sophisticated hues, I also appreciate Sam's more affordable option.

Even though I couldn't find identical faux pumpkin products at both stores, each warehouse club did have plenty of artificial accents. I spotted a set of three Member's Mark Terra Cotta Pumpkins at Sam's for $44.98 and a two-count of pre-lit pumpkin cats (also from Member's Mark) for $49.95. Costco sells a 100% ceramic hand-painted double-glazed Talavera Pumpkin for $69.99.

If you're searching for an upscale interior accessory, Costco's multicolored ceramic style is well worth the extra $20. But if you have a strict Halloween shopping budget, Sam's Club has the better deal.

Small interior accents

Winner: Sam's Club

Pumpkins aren't the only interior Halloween accents on my shopping list. I also compared prices on other types of smaller home decor, knickknacks, and candles.

I found a 19-inch pre-lit animated Member's Mark haunted house for $49.98, a 26-ounce Member's Mark Harvest Scented candle for $16.97, a Member's Mark Halloween Glass Icon Serving Bowl Set for $29.96, and a 24-inch Member's Mark pre-lit color-changing skull for $39.98.

Costco had an entirely different set of stock. But I was still able to find a few comparable items for this warehouse club-to-warehouse club price battle, including a set of three wooden "BOO" light-up letters ($52.99), two tabletop Halloween dogs ($59.99), a Northern Lights ceramic nine-ounce pumpkin candle ($23.99), and a 17-inch Disney Stitch Skeleton ($89.99).

When I totaled the prices, Sam's was the more affordable store.

Halloween outdoor decor

Winner: Costco

Sometimes a jack-o'-lantern and a few outdoor LEDs just won't do. If you go big on Halloween decor, both of these warehouse clubs have inexpensive inflatables and animatronics. That is, compared to what you could pay at a specialty holiday store or a big-box home improvement retailer.

I couldn't help but notice the 11-foot-tall Member's Mark Pre-Lit Animated Scarecrow for $199.98 at Sam's Club. The massive outdoor interactive item has glowing LED eyes, motion-activated sound, and motion-activated animation.

Costco sells a 12-foot Animated Witch for $199.97. While the price is only one penny less than Sam's scarecrow, the animatronic is one foot taller, has blinking LED eyes, is motion-sensor-activated, and features a six-hour-on/18-hour-off timer.

Halloween door wreaths and mats

Winner: Sam's Club

Oversized animatronics make a statement. But some years I don't want the extra work of setting up a full-sized show in my yard. That's where wreaths and doormats come into play.

A devilishly delightful 26-inch Member's Mark Pre-Lit Skeleton Wreath costs $39.98 at Sam's Club. Costco didn't have a generic Kirkland Signature item to compare with the other warehouse club's private-label line buy. Instead, I found a much pricier 30-inch Disney The Nightmare Before Christmas Pre-Lit LED Wreath for $84.99.

Sam's also had less expensive doormats. Member's Mark's Harvest Coir indoor/outdoor design was only $12.97, while Costco's indoor Harvest Hooked Accent Rug cost $26.99.

Bottom line

And the winner is Sam's Club. That means you can keep more cash in your wallet just by shopping at this retailer. Keep in mind, if you only have a Costco membership, adding a second fee to your annual expenses could max out your budget. Even though Sam's came out ahead, I still found a bounty of boo-tiful Halloween bargains at Costco.

Don't wait to nab these deals. Yes, Halloween is still a few weeks away. But both Sam's Club and Costco already have sizable selections of Christmas and winter gear in stock. The quick merchandise turnover rate makes it essential to snap up seasonal deals ASAP.

You May Also Like

11 Weird Little Hacks Costco Shoppers Should Know

By FinanceBuzz Editors

10 Things Seniors Born Between 1941-1969 Could Take Advantage Of

By FinanceBuzz Editors

How To Save Money on Car Insurance: 12 Ways to Lower Rates

By Elyssa Kirkham

19 Dumbest Things Smart People Waste Money On

By Team FBZ

2026 Award Winner Best Overall Cash Back Credit Card

Wells Fargo Active Cash^® Card

Benefits Card Details

• Low spend threshold for its welcome offer
• Cell phone protection benefit (subject to a $25 deductible)
• Apply Now

• Apply Now to take advantage of this offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
• Earn a $100 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
• Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
• 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 18.74%, 24.74%, or 28.74% variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5.
• $0 annual fee.
• No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
• Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
• Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.

5.0

FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.

Apply Now

on Wells Fargo's secure website

Rates and fees

Read Card Review

Intro Offer

$100 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months

Annual Fee

$0

+ -

Why we like it

• If you love earning cash rewards but prefer to avoid the hassle of tracking spending categories, the Wells Fargo Active Cash^® Card could be a good option for you. Card members can earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.

• This card also offers a 0% intro APR on qualifying balance transfers and purchases for 12 months from account opening, then 18.74%, 24.74%, or 28.74% Variable. Those looking for straightforward rewards and an introductory APR will likely find value in this card.

• Apply Now

---

Subscribe Today

Learn how to make an extra $200

Get vetted side hustles and proven ways to earn extra cash sent to your inbox.

or

Subscribe Now →

By submitting this form you agree to receive emails from FinanceBuzz and to the privacy policy and terms