Don't Live Near a Costco? Here's Why a Membership Could Make Sense Anyway

There are 602 Costco locations across the U.S. and Puerto Rico. But that doesn't guarantee that your home is conveniently located near a Costco warehouse club store.

You may be interested in signing up for a Costco membership. But if the closest store to your home is an hour away, you're probably not going to visit very often. In that case, you may be worried that you won't get the best use out of your membership. But here's why joining Costco could end up being a sound financial decision even if there's no store anywhere near you.

1. You can still shop online

The prices you'll see on Costco.com are often higher than the prices you'll see in stores. And part of the reason is that many Costco.com items ship for free, so Costco has to build that cost into its prices.

But even with prices being slightly higher online than in store, Costco's website is still loaded with great deals. Also, you may find certain items on Costco.com that are exclusive to the website and aren't available in stores.

Now, just so you know, it is possible to shop at Costco.com without a membership. But non-members pay a 5% surcharge on online purchases. Also, there are certain items on the website designated as members-only items, so if you don't join, you won't be able to buy those at all -- even if you're willing to pay a surcharge.

2. You can benefit from Costco Travel

Travel can be a big expense. If you're planning a vacation, then a Costco membership might pay off with the savings it gives you on your next trip.

Costco Travel offers a range of exclusive vacation packages that include cruises, resorts, and theme park stays. With Costco Travel, you also get access to a team of professionals who can serve as your personal travel agent of sorts.

3. You can stock up on non-perishables once a year and save

Buying food in bulk can be a source of savings, but you may not get too many opportunities to do that if you don't live near a Costco. But even if you only manage to make it out to Costco once a year, you might still end up coming out ahead financially with a membership if you do a major stock-up on things like toilet paper, household cleaners, and other such items you use regularly during the year.

A basic membership to Costco costs $60 for the year. But you might save more than $60 on a single trip if you're doing a large haul.

Remember, too, that you may be able to time your Costco runs to other plans you have. Let's say your closest Costco is 60 minutes away, but it's only 10 minutes from your good friend's house. You could always plan to stop in for food and supplies after visiting that friend.

Having a Costco store nearby can definitely help you make the most of a membership. But don't assume that a membership makes zero sense if there's no store in your vicinity. You may find that between online orders, travel packages, and the occasional in-person visit, your membership fee more than pays for itself.