Kudos diapers are now available at Costco, which creates an easy-looking price comparison with Target. On a recent check, Costco listed an 80-count size 6 pack for $47.50, while Target listed a 40-count size 6 pack for $29.99.

At shelf price, Costco wins decisively. But if you regularly shop Target, a Target Circle Card and a qualifying diaper promotion can narrow—or occasionally erase—that difference.

The Straight Price Comparison

Retailer Package Price Equivalent 80-diaper cost Cost per diaper
Costco 80 diapers $47.50 $47.50 59.4¢
Target 40 diapers $29.99 $59.98 75.0¢

Buying two Target packs costs $12.48 more than one comparable Costco pack before discounts and rewards. That makes Costco about 21% cheaper on this snapshot.

If you want the simplest answer—or you do not have a Target-specific discount—Costco is the better buy at those prices. Keep in mind that a Costco membership is required, so its fee only makes sense if you already use it enough across your household purchases.

The Costco Card Stack: 2% to 4% Back

Costco accepts Visa, so two common payment options are the Capital One Venture X and the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi. Venture X earns 2 Capital One miles per dollar on purchases, including Costco purchases; that is worth 2% only when you redeem those miles at one cent each. The Costco Anywhere Visa earns a straightforward 2% cash back on eligible Costco and Costco.com purchases.

An Executive Membership can add a separate 2% annual reward on qualifying Costco purchases. That means an Executive member paying with the Costco Anywhere Visa can receive an effective 4% back on eligible merchandise: 2% from Citi and 2% from the membership reward. The Executive reward has exclusions and is capped at $1,250 per membership year. It is also not free: the Executive upgrade costs an additional $65 annually, so the 2% reward alone breaks even at about $3,250 of qualifying yearly Costco spending.

For a $47.50 diaper pack, the 4% stack reduces the effective cost to about $45.60. A Venture X holder with an Executive Membership receives 2 miles per dollar plus the 2% membership reward, rather than a guaranteed 4% cash return.

When Target Can Catch Up

Target frequently runs gift-card promotions on select diapers, training pants, and wipes. The exact offer, qualifying brands, purchase threshold, and expiration date change, so check the product page and your Target Circle account before ordering.

For example, Target's current promotions page advertises a $20 Target GiftCard after $80 in qualifying diaper, training-pant, and wipe purchases. If the Kudos packs in your cart qualify, three $29.99 packs would cost $89.97 and produce a $20 gift card for a future Target purchase. That makes the effective pre-card cost $69.97 for 120 diapers, or about 58.3¢ per diaper.

That is already slightly below the $47.50 Costco snapshot on a per-diaper basis—but only if you will genuinely use the Target GiftCard. A promotional gift card is not cash; treat it as full value only when it replaces spending you were already going to do at Target.

Add the Target Circle Card Discount

The Target Circle Credit Card, Target Circle Debit Card, and Target Circle Mastercard offer 5% off eligible Target purchases. The discount applies after other discounts and after the value of a promotional Target GiftCard is accounted for. In the three-pack example above, that can bring the effective cost to roughly 55¢ per diaper, before considering tax or delivery fees.

The 5% discount does not apply when buying Target GiftCards themselves, but it can apply to eligible diaper purchases. Target's standard-shipping benefit can also be useful when it saves you a separate trip or delivery charge.

The Business Gold Target Gift-Card Route

The American Express Business Gold Card offers up to $20 in monthly statement credits after eligible U.S. purchases at FedEx, Grubhub, and office-supply stores. A shopper who can use Staples.com to buy a Target gift card may be able to turn that monthly office-supply credit into Target purchasing power.

That can be a useful way to fund a Target diaper order, especially alongside a qualifying Target diaper gift-card promotion and the Target Circle Card's 5% discount. But it is important to separate what is certain from what is not:

  • The Business Gold benefit is a statement credit for eligible purchases, not a direct $20 Target credit.
  • Staples.com must process the charge in a qualifying office-supply category, and Amex can change eligibility or terms.
  • Do not buy a Target gift card merely to use the credit unless you will naturally spend the balance at Target.

This route is best for someone who already has the Business Gold and can use $20 of Target value every month. It is not a reason to apply for a high-annual-fee card solely to save on diapers.

Do Not Force the Deal

The key questions are simple:

  • Does the Target diaper offer include the exact Kudos size and quantity you need?
  • Will you naturally use the promotional Target GiftCard?
  • Do you have an eligible Target Circle Card for the 5% discount?
  • Can you use a Business Gold office-supply credit without creating spending you would not otherwise make?
  • Does Target's delivery convenience have value for you?

If the answer to any of those is no, Costco's lower upfront price is probably the better choice.

The Better Buy Depends on Your Setup

Choose Costco when you want the lowest straightforward price, are already a member, and do not have a Target promotion to use. On the observed prices, it saves $12.48 per 80 diapers with no extra steps. Executive members can improve that result with their 2% reward, and the Costco Anywhere Visa can add another 2% on eligible Costco purchases.

Choose Target when a qualifying diaper gift-card promotion is live, you will use the gift card anyway, and you can pay with a Target Circle Card. The calculation can improve further if you already use the Business Gold's monthly office-supply credit to obtain Target gift cards through a qualifying Staples.com purchase. In that situation, Target can beat Costco's effective cost while offering pickup, same-day delivery where available, or standard shipping.

Before checking out, compare the cost per diaper after discounts, not just the package price. That is the number that tells you which retailer is truly cheaper.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Costco cheaper than Target for Kudos diapers?

At the observed prices, yes: Costco's 80-count size 6 pack was $47.50, versus $59.98 for two 40-count Target packs. Target can become competitive when a qualifying diaper gift-card promotion and the 5% Target Circle Card discount apply.

Does the Target Circle Card give 5% off diapers?

Eligible diaper purchases at Target can receive the 5% Target Circle Card discount. The discount is applied after other discounts and the value of promotional Target GiftCards. Review Target's current program rules for exclusions and terms.

Can the Costco Anywhere Visa and Executive Membership both earn rewards on diapers?

Usually, yes. The Costco Anywhere Visa earns 2% cash back on eligible Costco and Costco.com purchases, while Executive Members receive a separate annual 2% reward on qualifying purchases. Review Costco's current exclusions and the Executive Membership break-even point before valuing that stack at a full 4%.

Are Target diaper gift-card promotions always available?

No. Target promotions, eligible items, thresholds, and gift-card amounts change. Confirm that your selected Kudos diapers are included before relying on the promotion in your calculation.

Sources: Target's Kudos size 6 product page, Target's current promotions, Target Circle Card benefit rules, Costco's Executive and Anywhere Visa reward details, and American Express Business Gold benefit terms. Prices, promotions, and card benefits are a September 29, 2026 snapshot and can change by location and time.