Costco vs No Frills vs T&T: Which to Pick?

Every newcomer in Vancouver ends up asking the same question: where should I buy groceries? The three stores that come up most are Costco, No Frills, and T&T Supermarket. They're very different, and the best choice depends on your situation. Here's an honest comparison.

Last reviewed: April 2026. Data current as of this date.

Quick Summary

• Costco: Best for bulk buying, families, and roommate groups. $65/year membership.
• No Frills: Cheapest for everyday Canadian groceries. No membership needed.
• T&T: Best for Asian groceries, international ingredients, and prepared Asian food.

Price Comparison: Common Items

Chicken Breast (per lb)

• Costco: $3.49/lb (3kg pack)
• No Frills: $4.49/lb (on sale), $5.99 regular
• T&T: $4.99-5.99/lb

Eggs (1 dozen)

• Costco: $3.49 (but you must buy 30 — $8.99)
• No Frills: $3.49-3.99
• T&T: $4.29-4.99

Rice (10kg bag)

• Costco: $15.99 (Calrose)
• No Frills: $14.99 (Jasmine)
• T&T: $16.99 (Jasmine or Calrose, wider variety)

Milk (4L bag)

• Costco: $5.49
• No Frills: $5.49-5.99
• T&T: $6.29-6.49

Costco: The Bulk Warehouse

Pros: Lowest per-unit prices on many items. Great for meat, cheese, bread, toilet paper, laundry detergent, and household items. Their rotisserie chicken ($7.99 for a whole cooked chicken) is legendary. Kirkland brand is excellent quality at low prices.

Cons: $65/year membership. Everything comes in huge quantities — impractical if you're solo with a small fridge. No transit-friendly locations (you basically need a car). Can be overwhelming on weekends. Closest locations: Richmond (#3 Rd), Burnaby (Still Creek), Vancouver (Expo Blvd).

Best for: Families, roommate groups of 3+, anyone with a car and freezer space.

No Frills: The Budget King

Pros: Consistently the cheapest for everyday Canadian groceries — bread, eggs, dairy, canned goods, produce, and meat. No membership. Locations across Metro Van. PC Optimum loyalty card earns free grocery points. Smaller stores mean faster shopping.

Cons: Limited Asian grocery selection. Produce quality can be hit or miss. Stores are no-frills (literally) — barebones shelves and basic layouts. You bag your own groceries.

Best for: Solo newcomers on a tight budget shopping for Canadian staples.

T&T Supermarket: The Asian Grocery Giant

Pros: Unbeatable selection of Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Filipino ingredients. Fresh seafood counter, Asian bakery, hot food deli with $6.99 lunch boxes. Ingredients you simply can't find at Western stores. Locations near SkyTrain.

Cons: More expensive than No Frills for basic items (eggs, milk, bread). Produce quality is good but prices are mid-range. Can be very crowded on weekends.

Best for: Anyone who cooks Asian food regularly and values selection over the absolute lowest price.

The Best Strategy

Most newcomers end up using two stores:

• No Frills + T&T: Best combo for solo newcomers. Canadian basics at No Frills, Asian ingredients at T&T.
• Costco + T&T: Best for families. Bulk proteins and household items at Costco, daily cooking ingredients at T&T.
• No Frills + Fruiticana: Best for South Asian newcomers on a budget.

Figure out your total monthly budget with our grocery budget calculator.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a Costco membership worth it for one person?

Usually not. The $65 annual fee and bulk quantities make it hard to save unless you spend $200+/month on groceries. If you have roommates willing to split items, it starts making sense. Otherwise, No Frills is your better bet.

Can I shop at Costco without a membership?

You can buy alcohol and pharmacy items without a membership (it's BC law). For regular groceries, you need the card. Some people use a friend's Costco card — technically against the rules, but common.

Does T&T have loyalty points?

T&T has a points program through their app. You earn points on purchases and can redeem for discounts. It's not as generous as PC Optimum, but it adds up if you shop there weekly.

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References

[1] Statistics Canada, "Census Profile, Vancouver CMA, 2021." https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/index.cfm

[2] BC Housing, "Rental Market Reports." https://www.bchousing.org/research-centre/housing-data

[3] Government of Canada, "Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship." https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship.html

[4] TransLink, "Metro Vancouver Transit Information." https://www.translink.ca/

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