Costco Milk Price – How It Affects Your Budget

Milk prices matter to families. Understanding Costco milk prices can help you save money.

It can save you over $200 a year when done correctly.


Recent Price Trends For Costco milk Prices

Costco has some amazing deals on milk. In July 2024, people found Kirkland Signature whole milk for $3.98 for two gallons.

That’s just $1.99 per gallon, which is way cheaper than the U.S. average price of $3.53 (source).

But milk prices are different everywhere.

Look at these examples:

Store Price per Gallon
Costco $1.99 (some places)
Walmart $2.28
Target $2.00
Oregon (high) $5.99

For example, in Avondale, Arizona, Costco had the $3.99 deal, but in New Jersey, the price for one gallon was $4.09 (source).

To discover more about other surprising kitchen deals, check out 16 Little-Known Cookware Deal Pages.


Costco Milk Price by Location

Costco’s milk prices depend on where you live.

Here are a few examples:

  • Avondale, Arizona: $3.98 for 2 gallons
  • Dallas, Texas: $2.75 per gallon
  • New Jersey: $4.09 per gallon

Checking prices at your Costco store can help you find the best deals.


Milk Prices: Now and 10 Years Ago

Milk used to cost less. Back in 2014, the average price of milk in the U.S. was $3.45 per gallon.

Now, as of December 2024, conventional whole milk averages $4.29 per gallon, and reduced-fat (2%) milk is $4.25 per gallon (source).

Costco milk prices were cheaper too, usually around $2.50 per gallon.

Why is milk more expensive now? Inflation! Higher costs for gas, animal feed, and wages drive prices up.

Bad weather and supply chain issues also make it harder to produce milk.

Despite these challenges, Costco keeps prices low by selling in bulk and offering store brands.


Costco’s Most Expensive Milk

Costco also sells milk for people who want premium options.

The most expensive is Kirkland Signature Organic Whole Milk, which comes in 8-ounce cartons in packs of 18 for $19.99 (source).

Compare this to A2 Organic Grass-Fed Whole Milk, which costs $10 for half a gallon.

A2 milk is from cows with a special protein that’s easier to digest.

It’s more expensive because it comes from small farms (source).

Costco’s organic milk is pricey, but it’s still a deal compared to niche brands like A2.

If you’re interested in premium cookware like what chefs use, check out 7 Celebrity Chefs’ Cookware Collections.


New Milk Products at Costco

Costco keeps adding new milk options. Recently, they started selling Amul Gold milk from India.

This milk has 6% fat and hit U.S. shelves on the East Coast in October 2024. More stores will carry it soon (source).

Costco also still sells its popular Kirkland Signature Organic Whole Milk in 8-ounce cartons (source).


How To Save On Milk: Costco vs Other Stores

Milk is something families buy a lot of, so the cost adds up.

An average family drinks about 15 gallons of milk a month.

Buying at Costco can save a lot compared to other stores.

Monthly Cost Breakdown

Store Price per Gallon Monthly Cost
Costco $1.99 $29.85
Walmart $2.28 $34.20
Target $2.00 $30.00
U.S. Average $3.53 $52.95
Oregon (high) $5.99 $89.85

Buying at Costco saves families $19.80 each month compared to the updated national average milk price of $4.29.

Over a year, that’s about $237.60 in savings—money that can go to groceries, bills, or other needs.

Why It Matters

For families on a budget, saving on milk makes a big difference.

Buying in bulk at Costco means fewer trips to the store, which also saves gas and time.

That’s great for busy households or big families.

How Costco Keeps Prices Low

Costco saves money by selling in bulk and making its own products, like Kirkland Signature milk.

Partnering with local dairies also helps keep delivery costs down.

This lets Costco sell milk cheaper than most stores.


Why Dairy Prices Are Rising

While Costco’s milk stays cheap, other dairy products cost more.

For example, Kirkland Signature Peppermint Bark went from $9.99 to $14.99.

Shoppers also said the size got smaller.

This “shrinkflation” might happen with flavored milk and other dairy products too (source).

Looking for cookware bargains? See the Top 5 Cookware Deals to pair with your favorite dairy recipes.


What Are Milk Prices Predicted to Do?

Milk prices are expected to shift over the next few years.

Experts predict changes based on how much milk dairy farms can produce and how high demand gets.

 

Predictions for 2024

  • Class III Milk Price: Forecasted at $18.90 per hundredweight (cwt). This is used for milk used in cheese production.
  • Class IV Milk Price: Predicted to remain steady at $20.75 per cwt. This type is often used for butter and powdered milk.
  • All-Milk Price: Lowered to $22.65 per cwt, meaning farmers may earn slightly less for the milk they sell overall.

Predictions for 2025

  • Class III Milk Price: Slightly lower at $18.80 per cwt.
  • Class IV Milk Price: Decreasing slightly to $20.40 per cwt.
  • All-Milk Price: Adjusted to $22.55 per cwt, reflecting small decreases from the 2024 forecast.

These changes are driven by more cows on farms but slower growth in how much milk each cow produces.

The demand for milk and dairy products is also expected to grow, which could stabilize prices even as production increases.

What This Means for Consumers

For shoppers, milk prices at the grocery store may not drop significantly.

While farmers earn less, costs like transportation and packaging still keep grocery prices steady or higher.

However, lower cheese and butter prices may offer some relief for dairy lovers.

Learn more from the USDA’s Market Outlook here.


Tips to Save on Milk at Costco

Want to save even more on milk? Try these tips:

  • Compare prices at different Costco locations.
  • Buy bulk deals like the 2-gallon packs.
  • Try new products like Amul Gold milk for good quality at a low price.

For more savings on cookware and tools for dairy-rich recipes, check out the Cookware Match Calculator to find the best tools for your kitchen.


Costco’s milk prices help families spend less on groceries.

By watching for deals and shopping smart, you can save money and still get great milk.

Keep checking Costco for new products and offers to get the best value.


 

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