Walmart or Sam’s Club in 2026: Where Will Groceries Be Cheaper?
Written by
Angela Mae Watson
Edited by
Rebekah Evans
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Food is one of the biggest expenses consumers have. As per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, the average annual food budget is $10,169 — $6,224 for food at home, $3,945 for food away from home. That’s about $847 a month.
For consumers trying to keep costs down, finding a store where groceries are cheaper isn’t just smart. It’s sometimes necessary. Two top contenders for affordability are Walmart and the membership-only warehouse club Sam’s Club. But which of these stores will have cheaper groceries in 2026? Here’s our prediction.
Sam’s Club Is Often Cheaper (But Not Always)
For the most part, Sam’s Club has lower per-unit prices on basic groceries than Walmart. The trade-off for these savings is that you sometimes must purchase these goods in bulk.
Check out some staple items at Sam’s Club versus Walmart based on Instacart:
- Bananas (3 pounds):
- Russet potatoes (10-pound bag):
- Long grain white rice (50-pound bag):
- Barilla pasta (6-pound box):
- Del Monte Corn (eight 15.25-ounce cans):
- Ground beef (1 pound; 88%):
- Chicken thighs (1 pound):
- Frozen tilapia fillets (32 ounces):
- Loaf white bread (20 ounces):
- Water bottles (40 pack; 16.9 ounces each):
- Toilet paper:
- Trash bags (13 gallons):
As you can see, prices for some grocery items aren’t all that different at either store. Also, not everything is cheaper at Sam’s Club, even when you compare per-unit prices.
For example:
- Sweet onions (6-pound bag):
- Gala apples (5-pound bag):
- Bertolli alfredo sauce (three 15-ounce jars):
- Whole milk (gallon):
- Hot dogs (10 count):
- Tide Laundry Detergent:
Food Inflation: Prices Remain Fairly Steady
To best predict what prices will look like going forward, it helps to look at the past.
In the 12 months ending in September 2025, food at home prices have risen by 2.7%, per the BLS. This isn’t necessarily reflected in Sam’s Club or Walmart prices, however.
In Walmart’s latest corporate earnings call, Walmart CEO Doug McMillon said during the quarter, Walmart U.S. experienced a like-for-like inflation rate of 1.3%, with both food and general merchandise showing increases in the low single digits.
This indicates that store prices will be roughly the same in 2026 as they are now.
Store Brand Prices: Walmart’s Great Value Has the Edge
It’s worth noting that Walmart’s Great Value brand is typically cheaper or about on par with Sam’s Club’s name-brand products, according to the Krazy Coupon Lady. So, if you’re someone who prefers national brands (rather than store brands), this might be worth keeping in mind.
Walmart vs. Sam’s Club: Coupons and Membership Fees
Walmart is free to shop at. But if you want to get the perks of a Walmart+ membership, which includes things like free delivery, you’ll need to spend $12.95 a month (or $98 annually).
A Sam’s Club membership normally costs $50 a year (or $4 a month). There are sometimes discounts on this, though. For example, you might be able to purchase a year-long membership for $20 at certain times of the year. Membership comes with additional perks, like exclusive savings and lower fuel prices. If you shop there frequently enough, it pays for itself.
Be aware that coupons can make a huge difference in how much you’re paying for groceries at Walmart or Sam’s Club — both now and in 2026. According to Sam’s Club’s website, the warehouse club doesn’t accept manufacturers’ coupons, while Walmart does.
Where Consumers Are Shopping Next Year: Both Stores
GOBankingRates asked Olivia Parks, professional organizer with Nola Organizers, where she typically shops and whether she intends to switch things up next year
Parks said she shops regularly at both Walmart and Sam’s Club, but that she prefers Walmart for everyday groceries and most household essentials.
“Walmart offers a much wider variety of items and sizes, while Sam’s mainly sells items in bulk. I prefer to buy smaller quantities to prevent food waste, an overcrowded pantry and expired items getting lost and forgotten about in the back of cabinets and pantries,” she said. “There are many items I don’t use often and may only need once or twice a year, so buying them in bulk just doesn’t make sense.”
Parks added that she tends to shop at Sam’s for things her household uses regularly and that are a great deal. This includes some household staples like:
- Water bottles
- Paper towels
- Trash bags
- Laundry detergent
“I’ve organized many pantries over the years and the food I see going to waste most often is bulk purchases from stores like Sam’s or Costco,” she added. “People often think they’re getting a great deal up front, but if the items aren’t used in time and go to waste, they really didn’t save any money, and the food just ends up being thrown away.”
Parks said she plans to maintain similar shopping habits next year.
Editor’s note: Pricing and availability may vary depending on location.
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