Costco Hasn't Increased the Price of These 3 Items in More Than a Decade

Costco is well known for two things: free samples and discounted bulk items. But the wholesale warehouse has also earned a reputation for keeping the price of a handful of items untouched for more than a decade.

Here are three shockingly cheap items Costco sells and why a membership could be a great idea for your personal finances.

1. Hot dog and soda

Price $1.50 since 1985

Even as inflation soared over the past few years, Costco's famous hot dog and soda combo held fast to its $1.50 price -- closing in on nearly 40 years of the same cost.

Costco's chief financial officer Richard Galanti was asked in 2022 if the company would ever raise the price, to which he replied that the hot dog and soda meal would remain $1.50 "forever."

If the hot dog and soda combo kept up with inflation, it would cost nearly three times as much at about $4.21.

2. 12-slice pizza

Price: $9.95 since 1989

Costco's 12-slice cheese pizza isn't the cheapest item you can buy in the company's food court, but it's undoubtedly one of the best deals.

Costco has kept the price of $9.95 pizza the same since 1989, the same year the Berlin Wall came down and Nintendo's Game Boy was released.

If Costco raised the price of its 12-slice pizza to keep pace with inflation, the pie would cost a whopping $24.20 today.

3. Rotisserie chicken

Price: $4.99 since 2009

Another item that's maintained its low price for many years -- and has become a staple for many Costco members -- is the company's $4.99 rotisserie chicken. If Costco raised the rotisserie chicken price to keep up with inflation, it would cost $7.09.

Costco keeps the price of its chicken low to keep the value of its membership high. The more members save on low-priced items, the more shoppers view their membership as a good value and renew it.

Costco's membership is a good deal too

When Costco opened its doors in 1983, it charged just $25 for membership. The cheapest membership -- Gold -- now costs $60 per year, but it's still a good deal, considering that the inflation-adjusted membership price would be more than $75.

Some of the benefits from Costco's Gold membership include:

• Access to Costco's stores nationwide
• Discounted gas
• Free two-day grocery delivery
• Access to home and auto insurance services
• Costco travel services
• Free extended warranty on some electronics

Costco also offers an Executive membership with even more perks. The $120 Executive membership costs $120, and one of the best benefits is that you'll earn 2% cash back on in-store and online Costco purchases. Members receive the rewards three months prior to their membership renewal and can earn up to $1,000.

And if you don't earn enough rewards throughout the year to justify the extra $60 for an Executive membership, you can downgrade to the Gold membership and get a refund. For example, if you spend $2,000 at Costco during the year and earn $40 in cash back, you can downgrade to a Gold membership and receive $20 back to make up the difference.

My family only shops at Costco occasionally, so we have the Gold membership to save on purchases like gas. The good news is whether you opt for the Gold or Executive membership, the hot dog and soda combo is still just $1.50.