Study Finds: Costco Beats Walmart on Grocery Prices

The cost of living is on many Montanans' minds these days. Everyday things like the price of gas, rent, and groceries are a concern for a lot of us.  

Montana Grocery Prices Rank Among the Nation’s Highest

When it comes to groceries, Montana pays more than most states. WalletHub has us ranked in the top fifteen when it comes to the most expensive groceries. If Montanans want to save on their grocery bill, they may want to consider getting a Costco membership.  

READ MORE: Think Eating Out Is Costly? Montana Grocery Prices Tell Another Story

According to Consumer Reports, on average, the cheapest groceries in the country aren’t found at Walmart; they just may be at your nearest Costco.  

New Study Compares Costco and Walmart Prices

Consumer Reports did a price comparison across multiple metropolitan areas and used Walmart prices as the baseline. They compared grocery prices on packaged goods, produce, and meat, though product sizes varied depending on what was available in stores.

READ MORE: Why Montana Costco Members Are Getting More Than Ever in 2026

The closest metro area to Montana they examined was Denver, Colorado. They found that, comparatively, Costco grocery prices were 23.7% cheaper than Walmart. When they looked at all markets, Costco was 21.4% cheaper than Walmart.  

Costco isn’t the only store in Montana with cheaper groceries. WinCo came in 3.3% less than Walmart.

How Much Cheaper Is Costco?

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Costco has recently released a double-chocolate mint sundae available in the food court for only $2.99 for a limited time. It comes with mint ice cream, cookie crumbles, and chocolate sauce. Early reports suggest they are very popular.