Current U.S. States Without a Costco Warehouse
As of 2024, Costco operates in all 50 states plus Washington, D.C., with the most recent new warehouses opening in late 2023. However, coverage is not perfectly uniform at the state line level, and a handful of states historically lacked a location. The most prominent current gaps are in significant rural or lower-density markets, where Costco has evaluated and, to date, decided not to build. The following list reflects the most widely reported, verifiable status as of the most recent public disclosures and member communications:
- Delaware
- Montana
- New Hampshire
- North Dakota
- South Dakota
- Vermont
- Wyoming
Notably, these states represent geographies with populations, median incomes, and housing metrics that, in Costco’s member-based warehouse model, have not yet met the threshold for new construction or acquisition-based entry. In several cases, negotiations or exploratory work has been reported, but no public opening date has been set.
Why Some States Lack a Costco Location
Market Size and Density Requirements
Costco’s site selection criteria prioritize large regional population pools, ample highway access, and commercial land suitable for large-format warehouses. States with smaller total populations and more rural settlement patterns are less likely to clear these hurdles, because the membership demand and throughput needed to support a 140,000–200,000-square-foot warehouse are harder to achieve in lower-density areas.
Commercial Real Estate and Labor Dynamics
Securing large, developable parcels near major traffic corridors can be difficult in states with stronger environmental review, local zoning restrictions, or competing land uses. Additionally, Costco’s model relies on a stable workforce for membership services, merchandising, and warehouse operations; states with limited labor pools or higher projected labor costs can appear less attractive for new investment relative to member fee economics.
Strategic Timing and Competitive Positioning
Costco often enters a state only after ensuring that its mix of memberships, guaranteed volume, and brand perception will remain strong in that market. In states where other big-box retailers or limited-price clubs already dominate, or where commercial rents are structurally high, the company may delay entry until a clearer return on investment can be demonstrated.
How This Impacts Members and Potential Members
For consumers in states without a Costco, the primary practical effect is convenience: there is no walk-in or short-drive option for bulk purchases of household goods, groceries, tires, pharmacy items, or seasonal merchandise. Many members in these states rely on neighboring states, online ordering with delivery or pickup, or occasional travel to access Costco’s pricing and product assortment. For businesses, the absence of a warehouse can mean fewer large local events, lower foot traffic for adjacent restaurants, and a modest reduction in regional wholesale-level employment linked to Costco operations.
Geographic Context and Regional Coverage
The states without a Costco are distributed across regions, and their absence highlights the company’s focus on clusters of higher demand. In the Northeast, New Hampshire and Vermont are notable gaps, while in the Mountain West, Montana, Wyoming, and the Dakotas remain outside the network. Delaware, despite its proximity to major Mid-Atlantic metros, does not host a location. By contrast, nearby states in many cases have multiple warehouses, demonstrating how Costco clusters investments in corridors where members can cross-state-shop efficiently.
Business and Real Estate Considerations for Future Entry
Site Selection Process
Costco evaluates hundreds of potential sites over multiyear horizons, weighing population reach, traffic counts, access to primary arterials, availability of large parcels, and state and local incentives. Land acquisition, entitlement, and construction timelines can span 24 to 48 months once a greenlight is given, which means that any new openings in currently unserved states would likely be announced only after these conditions are firmly in place.
Economic Feasibility Metrics
Although Costco does not disclose precise internal benchmarks, member-focused reporting and commercial real estate analyses suggest that a new warehouse generally requires a catchment area with substantial household income and a robust base of executive memberships to justify the upfront capital outlay. States that lack these characteristics to date may see future projects only if demographics shift or if the company recalibrates its model for smaller formats or hybrid locations.
Comparison: States Confirmed to Have No Costco (Status as of 2024)
| State | Population Rank (approx.) | Key Reason for Absence (reported) | Nearest Costco Distance (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delaware | 45 | Market size and site constraints near metro clusters | 50–150 miles to Pennsylvania, Maryland, or Virginia |
| Montana | 44 | Low population density and rural market profile | 150–300 miles to North Dakota, South Dakota, or Wyoming |
| New Hampshire | 41 | Limited suitable commercial land and neighboring market access | 30–90 miles to Massachusetts or Maine |
| North Dakota | 48 | Sparse population and smaller metro centers | 200–400 miles to Minnesota or South Dakota |
| South Dakota | 46 | Low density and modest membership demand to date | 200–350 miles to North Dakota, Nebraska, or Wyoming |
| Vermont | 49 | Small population and challenging real estate scale | 50–120 miles to New York or New Hampshire |
| Wyoming | 50 | Very low population density and limited major corridors | 200–400 miles to Colorado, Utah, or Montana |
What This Means for Your Search for a Nearby Costco
If you are looking for a Costco in one of the states listed above, your practical options are to cross state lines for occasional shopping, use delivery or pickup services where available, or monitor long-term development plans. Costco periodically updates its site list, so gaps can close; however, such decisions hinge on demonstrable demand and real estate feasibility, not short-term promotions or temporary trends. For consumers who travel frequently across state lines, planning trips around bulk-buying stops can align with existing route patterns and membership value.
How to Stay Updated on Costco Location Expansions
The most reliable method to track new Costco openings is to watch official Costco announcements, earnings releases, and local news outlets in states that currently lack a warehouse. Because new builds require extensive planning, news of a potential site typically emerges well before construction begins, often through municipal approvals or commercial real estate filings. Subscribing to shopper-oriented news channels and local business journals in the listed states can provide early signals when the company signals intent to enter a new market.
Key Takeaways
- Costco operates in nearly all U.S. states, but as of 2024, seven states—Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont, and Wyoming—do not have a warehouse.
- The absence is driven primarily by market density, real estate availability, and perceived member demand rather than policy restrictions.
- Consumers in these states can still access Costco goods via cross-state travel, delivery, or pickup options where available.
- Future entry is possible but hinges on demographic and economic conditions that meet Costco’s site selection criteria.
For most shoppers, the absence of a nearby Costco is a convenience issue rather than a permanent barrier, and smart use of alternative channels can mitigate most membership-related friction. As with any long-form analysis of retail presence, treating this status as durable but periodically updated will yield the most accurate long-term view of access and opportunity.