11 Undeniable Reasons BJ's Is Better Than Costco

While warehouse clubs like Costco are known for helping you save money on groceries , they aren't the only game in town.

BJ's Wholesale Club offers a strong contender membership, outweighing the upfront cost with savings on household essentials and groceries.

Here's why BJ's might be the better fit, especially if you're looking beyond the big-box brand name.

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1. Memberships are cheaper

One of the most noticeable differences between Costco and BJ’s is the membership prices, which could be an issue if you’re on a tight budget.

Both offer a basic membership, but Costco’s membership costs $60 compared to $55 at BJ’s.

Both also offer a higher-priced membership that includes 2% cash back on purchases, but the Costco version costs $120 compared to $110 for a similar BJ's membership.

2. BJ’s may be closer to you

Costco does have an advantage over BJ’s, with 606 locations across the U.S. compared to 252 BJ’s locations, which are mainly on the East Coast.

But that doesn’t mean you should assume the closest store near you is a Costco.

It’s a good idea to double-check locations for both stores as you may be surprised to find a BJ’s in your neighborhood.

3. BJ’s accepts coupons

Costco doesn’t accept coupons, preferring to stick with its own deals and low prices rather than having shoppers bring in coupons.

If you love clipping coupons, you may prefer a BJ’s membership. All 252 of those locations accept manufacturer’s coupons in addition to coupons and deals specifically for BJ’s members.

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4. You can use more credit cards

Both Costco and BJ’s accept credit cards, but you may be out of luck if you don’t have the right one at Costco.

Costco only accepts Visa credit cards, which could be problematic for diehard Mastercard, Discover, or AmEx users. BJ’s also accepts Visa, but it also allows American Express, MasterCard, and Discover.

Costco accepts Mastercard for online purchases, and both retailers accept EBT.

5. Same-day delivery is cheaper

Same-day delivery can be a convenient option if you’re busy or can’t make it to the warehouse store.

But it may cost you more to get your items delivered from Costco, which uses Instacart and may charge you additional fees. BJ’s charges $14.99 for delivery fees and no additional charges.

However, you may want to check on delivery options for BJ’s, as fewer stores could mean the retailer may not deliver to your location.

6. You can get a one-day pass

How can you know if you’ll like BJ’s better than Costco if you have to be a member to shop there? You can use a one-day pass to find out.

BJ’s offers prospective members a one-day pass to shop around and see if they like what they see.

Don’t expect the same offer from Costco. The retailer doesn’t provide prospective members with the same option, so you’ll need a membership card to shop there. If you’re not satisfied, you can cancel your membership at any time and receive a refund of your membership fee.

7. BJ’s has a deli

Both Costco and BJ’s sell deli meat, but only BJ’s will cut fresh slices for customers.

Costco customers have to stick to prepackaged turkey or roast beef, while BJ’s offers a wide variety of deli meat and cheese, sliced to order.

8. Stores are usually open later

Hours of operation can vary from store to store, but most Costco locations open at 10 a.m. and close at 8:30 p.m. on weekdays and 6 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

BJ’s, on the other hand, usually opens around 8 a.m. and closes at 9 p.m., giving shoppers more hours to walk through the store or find time in their schedules to make a warehouse run.

9. BJ’s may have items that Costco doesn’t

It’s a good idea to comparison shop when you’re going to BJ’s and Costco to see if prices are similar or if you can get a better deal per unit at one store or another.

You also may be surprised to find products on the shelves at BJ’s that you may not be able to buy at Costco, which could be a factor depending on if BJ’s carries some of your favorites or has more items that you need.

10. BJ’s are less crowded

Costco’s popularity may work against it, with more shoppers clogging up the aisles, especially on the weekends, to get the best deals or grab some free samples.

BJ’s may have the same deals or similar products but without the extra long lines or crowded aisles.

It may be a good idea to try out the BJ’s day pass on a day when you would typically shop to see how foot traffic is and how quickly you can navigate the store.

11. BJ’s gives customers a scan-and-go option

It’s frustrating when you just need to pick up an item or two and then get stuck at the end of shopping in a long line to check out.

But BJ’s has an option that Costco doesn’t. You can scan items on your BJ’s app as you shop and quickly pay when you walk out — bypassing the line entirely.

The Costco app, on the other hand, doesn’t have the same functionality, which could be especially frustrating on a weekend trip to the retailer.

Bottom line

Retailers like BJ’s and Costco can help you keep more cash in your wallet and more food in your pantry, but savvy shoppers may prefer one membership over another.

Regardless of which membership you choose, it’s always a good idea to create a list before shopping to avoid costly impulse purchases, especially if you’re on a tight budget.

Money tips that can work for everyone

No matter what your bank account balance is, there's always an opportunity to optimize and improve your finances. Here's a quick checklist of things you can look at today.

Focus on paying off your debt . Debt can hold you back from making progress with your overall financial well-being. Aside from cutting expenses, there are tools that can help you pay off debt faster like balance transfer credit cards and debt counseling.

Earning extra income can give you breathing room. If finances are tight, earning some extra money to supplement your income can make a huge difference. A new job is one option to consider, but if you're not ready to make a big change or already retired, a part-time side job could be a better choice.

Cut your expenses. It sounds painful and so not fun, but it doesn't have to be. Take a look at your biggest expenses because that's where you'll probably find the biggest savings. For example, auto insurance rates have been soaring so shopping around for a new insurance company can be the fastest way to cut your bill. Also, look for ways to cut your grocery bill (despite rising inflation).