A Costco eye exam costs $75 to $110 without insurance in 2026
Costco does not post one national price for eye exams. Each Costco Optical has an independent eye doctor who sets their own fee. When Clark.com called six stores in January 2026, prices ran from $75 in Queens to $110 in Atlanta and Seattle. The middle price was $85.
What a Costco eye exam costs, store by store
| Costco, Queens, NY | $75 |
|---|---|
| Costco, Lexington, KY | $79 |
| Costco, Denver, CO | $80 |
| Costco, Chicago, IL | $90 |
| Costco, Atlanta, GA | $110 |
| Costco, Seattle, WA | $110 |
| Middle price of the 6 stores | $85 |
| For comparison: store vision centers nationwide (All About Vision) | $89 average |
Clark.com phoned these Costco Optical stores on January 23, 2026. Six stores is a small sample, so your store may charge a different price. Sources: Clark.com, Costco Optical (phone checks of 6 Costco Optical stores, Jan 23, 2026); All About Vision, eye exam costs in 2026 (survey of 100 US eye care practices, updated Apr 19, 2026).
What changes your price
- The doctor. Costco Optical uses independent doctors of optometry, so each store's doctor sets the fee.
- Your city. The six stores checked ranged from $75 to $110. Atlanta and Seattle were highest.
- Contact lenses. A contact lens exam costs more than a basic exam. Clark.com found fittings add about $50 to $70 on average.
- Extra tests. Ask if dilation or retinal imaging is in the price.
You do not need a membership for the exam
Anyone can book an eye exam at Costco Optical, member or not, per Clark.com. You only need a membership to buy glasses or contacts there.
Glasses at Costco are priced by Costco. In January 2026 Clark.com found single vision lenses at $66 and frames starting at about $63 on average, so a basic pair started at about $129.
Because the doctor is independent, you can ask for their name at your store and read reviews before you book.
How to judge the price you are quoted
- Call your store and ask the self-pay price for a comprehensive exam.
- Ask if dilation and retinal imaging are included.
- Ask the extra price for a contact lens exam.
- Compare with the $75 to $110 found at other stores.
Ways to pay less
- Call two nearby Costco stores. Prices differ by doctor.
- You can skip the membership if you only need the exam.
- Use HSA or FSA money, which is not taxed.
- Take your prescription wherever glasses are cheapest.
How we got these numbers
Every number on this page comes from a survey with a stated method or from prices collected store by store. All About Vision surveyed 100 eye care practices, spread evenly across six US regions, big and small cities, and three types of practice. Clark.com phoned named stores and printed each price it was given. We use the median when a source lets us work one out. The median is the middle price: half of the prices are lower and half are higher. The All About Vision survey only gives averages, so we label those as averages. We left out sites that give a price with no method, and numbers we could not find on the source's own page. We do not add our own guesses, and this page has no calculator because no source says how each choice moves the price. All numbers were checked on September 26, 2026.
Common questions
How much is a Costco eye exam without insurance?
Clark.com found $75 to $110 at six stores in January 2026. The middle price was $85.
Do you need a Costco membership for an eye exam?
No. You only need one to buy glasses or contacts there.
Why does the price change by store?
Each Costco Optical has an independent doctor who sets the fee.
Is Costco cheaper than Walmart for an eye exam?
In Clark.com's calls, Costco averaged $90 and Walmart $98 at the same three cities.