Costco membership cost: is it worth it for you?
A Costco membership costs $65 a year (Gold Star or Business) or $130 for Executive, and new members joining online can currently get a $20 to $40 Shop Card. It pays for itself once your savings beat the fee. Enter your shopping to see if that's you.
Shopping in Canada? See How much is a Costco membership in Canada?.
Fees and the new-member offer from Costco.com, checked October 20, 2026.
How much is a Costco membership?
| Membership | Yearly fee | What's different |
|---|---|---|
| Gold Star | $65 | The standard membership |
| Business | $65 | The same price, in a business name |
| Executive | $130 | 2% back up to $1,250 a year, plus a weekday early hour |
Executive costs $65 more than Gold Star, so it only makes sense if your 2% reward comes to more than that. The Executive calculator works it out. If you're weighing other clubs too, see Costco vs Sam's Club vs BJ's. U.S. fees from Costco, checked October 18, 2026.
In another country? Fees and the Executive reward differ: Canada, UK, Australia, México and 日本.
Current new-member deals
| Join as | You get | Condition |
|---|---|---|
| Gold Star | $20 Shop Card | Join online with auto-renew |
| Executive | $40 Shop Card | Join online with auto-renew |
| Executive + Costco Visa | $65 Digital Shop Card | Approved for the Costco Anywhere Visa with your new Executive membership |
Costco says the Shop Card offer is online only, for new members and anyone who hasn't been a Costco member in any role (primary, household or affiliate) in the last 18 months. You set up auto-renewal on a Visa credit or debit card, or a Mastercard debit card, when you sign up. Offers change, so check the join page. Group offers for students, teachers, health workers, first responders and military: see all current membership deals. There's no senior or military discount; see your real first-year cost.
Business or Gold Star?
They cost the same, $65 a year, and both let you shop at any Costco warehouse and at Costco Business Centers, which are open to all members. Business membership is set up in a business name, so if you don’t run a business, Gold Star is the simpler choice.
¿En español? ¿Cuánto cuesta la membresía de Costco en Estados Unidos?
How to estimate your savings
The calculator is only as good as the percentage you give it, so it's worth five minutes with a receipt:
- Pick five to ten things you buy every month, such as coffee, paper towels, eggs, laundry detergent or a rotisserie-style dinner.
- Write down what each one costs per unit (per ounce, per sheet, per egg) at your usual store and at the warehouse.
- Add up what the same amount would cost at each store and compare the totals. That difference, as a percent, is your number.
Compare by unit, not by package. A big pack is only a deal if you use all of it before it goes bad. The unit price calculator does the math for each item, waste included.
How the math works
Your yearly savings are your monthly spend, times 12, times the percentage you save. If that's more than $65, the membership pays for itself.
For example, if you save 10%, you need to spend about $650 a year, or $55 a month, for the savings to cover the fee. If you only save 5%, you need about $1,300 a year.
Things the calculator doesn't count
- Trips you wouldn't otherwise make. If the warehouse is far away, the drive costs gas and time. Our gas savings calculator can help with that part.
- Buying more than you need. Bulk packs that end up in the trash erase the savings.
- Gas, pharmacy and travel. If you'd use these, they can add savings the grocery comparison misses.
Can I try it without risk?
Costco says it will cancel and refund your membership fee at any time if you're not satisfied. That makes a one-year trial low risk: if your savings don't add up, you can ask for the fee back at the membership counter. See how to cancel a Costco membership.
How to join Costco
- Online: pick Gold Star, Business or Executive on Costco.com's join page. This is the only way to get the new-member Shop Card.
- In a warehouse: go to the membership counter near the entrance; they take your photo for the card.
- Add your household card: every membership includes one free card for someone 16 or older who lives at your address. They have their photo taken at the counter.
Common questions
How much is a Costco membership in 2026?
$65 a year for Gold Star or Business, and $130 for Executive, plus sales tax where it applies. Costco raised them from $60 and $120 in 2024.
Can I share my Costco membership?
With one person: the free household card goes to someone 16 or older at your address, such as a spouse, partner or family member. A Business membership can add more people for $65 a year each, and each of those includes a household card too.
Is there a free trial?
Not as such, but Costco refunds the membership fee at any time if you're not satisfied, which works like one.
Can I get the new-member deal if I was a member before?
Only if you haven't been a member in any role for 18 months, according to Costco's terms for the offer.
Do I need a membership for the pharmacy or gas?
Gas is for members, though Shop Card holders can buy it too. Pharmacies are open to non-members where state law requires. See Costco gas and Costco pharmacy.
Already a member?
If you spend more than about $271 a month there, the Executive upgrade can pay for itself too. Check the Executive calculator.
Fees last checked October 18, 2026. How we check our numbers.