The Diaper War – Target vs Costco
With the exception of last year, we’ve been buying diapers every year for the past 9+ years. Thanks to a little too much fun at Disneyland, we’re going to be buying diapers for two or three more years.
Back in 2000, we shopped around and concluded Costco had the least expensive diapers. Nine years later, things have changed (like my growing waistline). Last month, I did a price comparison of diapers and baby wipes sold at Target and Costco (sold under the Kirkland brand). For you frugal moms and dads out there, here is my comparison:
Target baby wipes are 35% less expensive
| Baby Wipe | Quantity | Cost | Cost per Wipe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Costco | 704 | $15.49 | 2.2¢ |
| Target | 704 | $11.49 | 1.6¢ |
Target size one diapers are 6% less expensive
| Diaper | Quantity | Cost | Cost per Diaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Costco Size 1-2 | 216 | $29.99 | 13.9¢ |
| Target Size 1 | 48 | $6.29 | 13.1¢ |
Target size two diapers are 24% less expensive
| Diaper | Quantity | Cost | Cost per Diaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Costco Size 1-2 | 216 | $29.99 | 13.9¢ |
| Target Size 2 | 56 | $6.29 | 11.2¢ |
Target size three diapers are 32% less expensive
| Diaper | Quantity | Cost | Cost per Diaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Costco Size 3 | 208 | $39.59 | 19.0¢ |
| Target Size 3 | 96 | $13.89 | 14.5¢ |
Target size four diapers are 26% less expensive
| Diaper | Quantity | Cost | Cost per Diaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Costco Size 4 | 186 | $39.59 | 21.3¢ |
| Target Size 4 | 82 | $13.89 | 16.9¢ |
Target size five diapers are 19% less expensive
| Diaper | Quantity | Cost | Cost per Diaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Costco Size 5 | 168 | $39.59 | 23.6¢ |
| Target Size 5 | 70 | $13.89 | 19.8¢ |
Target size six diapers are 27% less expensive
| Diaper | Quantity | Cost | Cost per Diaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Costco Size 6 | 135 | $39.59 | 29.3¢ |
| Target Size 6 | 60 | $13.89 | 23.2¢ |
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Looks like Target wins. Now when you run in for diapers and wipes you can just get regular sizes of stuff instead of a gallon of mayo and a five gallon bucket of pickles. Then again if you like pickles…..
Read peepnroosmom´s recent blog post..I could learn alot from him.
Costco is perfect for our family of six, but useless when I was single.
Just when I almost have her potty trained. But, we don’t have Cotsco in Oklahoma. What’s up with that??? I LUV TARGET!
Read jenx67´s recent blog post..5 clichés from the death of michael jackson
That’s like our situation with Walmart. The closest one is over ten miles away in an area we rarely visit.
Not for everyone, but cloth diapers save you a lot of money! We do get wipes at Target though and when we went on vacation, we also got disposables there.
Read Autumn´s recent blog post..Nineteen months
Good point. When we had our first kid, we were too grossed out to wash diapers ourselves and the companies that clean them for you were too expensive for us.
Ironically, I found many things at our Costco more expensive than other stores. Sam’s Club is actually cheaper here on most things than Costco. Go figure.
Did I mention how grateful I am not to buying diapers and wet wipes anymore?
Hugs,
Holly
Read Holly Schwendiman´s recent blog post..Mom I Did It!!
We don’t have a Sam’s Club in Portland. Costco is decent for buying groceries if you don’t want to drive around to multiple stores for the best deal.
Somehow, this analysis is not surprising coming from you.
Read Desert Songbird´s recent blog post..Thursday Thoughts – 7.9.09
I think my wife finds it annoying. I wonder if she ever saw my “should I get marry list?”
Not that I could add anthing to this since mine have been out of diapers for the last fifteen years. However, I have seen the comparisons with other items between Target and Costco and many time Target wins out. Nice charts BTW…
Read Mike´s recent blog post..Vacation…
Costco has a better return policy. You can return opened DVDs and electronics without a restocking fee. You can even return some electronics 90 days later.
Costco takes returned dirty diapers? Wow. JK I enjoyed this post, but it might be because I am closer to diapers than my kids are.
Read Mrs4444´s recent blog post..Friday Fragments
Good one. I’ll have my wife return all the used diapers and see what happens.
Hrmmmmmmmmmm looks like the nappies are way cheaper over there !
Read Danielle´s recent blog post..A Chilly Update…
But our diapers are made of paper mache.
I still like costco because I just looove buying the huge box of diapers and wipes and not worrying about it for long time. I even buy the Kirkland brand. Works great.
did you know you can buy their light bulbs there and return them when they’ve burned out??? they’re nice light bulbs are guaranteed. I tried it. No receipt. Got a new low energy lightbulb. Wow! Never have to buy them again! seriously.
.-= Virginia´s last blog ..Hospital Visit Gone From Worse To Better =-.
I didn’t know about the light bulbs. Usually they tell you to contact the manufacturer after the regular return period.
Great price analysis. I’ll have to give Target’s wipes a try. I am interested to know if you’ve ever looked into the differences in the absorbancy of the various brands of diapers. I have found several brands of diapers that are cheaper than the name brands and they seem to hold in leaks equally well. However, I’m convinced that not all of them feel the same against my baby’s skin. Some seem to be better able to pull the moisture further into the diaper. She really seems to sleep better in the premium diapers (and for a tired mom, that’s worth paying more for, at least at night). Some brands of diapers and wipes even give her diaper rash. For example, I’ll never ever use Parent’s Choice wipes again.