When you’re looking for the best place to buy tires, there’s certainly no shortage of options. But between warehouse clubs, online tire merchants and independent tire retailers, the prices and quality of service can vary quite a bit.
In this article, I’ll cover where to find affordable tires, highlight which retailers do it best and cheapest, and I’ll take a close look at the top six places to buy tires.
I’ve researched the prices and process of buying new tires at a variety of popular tire retailers to see where you’ll get the best deal and the best customer experience.
This article was updated in March 2023 and I review it every six months. Detailed notes on all updates can be found here.
Where To Buy Tires
If you’re looking for a quick answer on where you should shop for your next set of tires, I recommend checking out Costco, Sam’s Club or BJ’s Tire Center first. Even if you factor in these warehouse clubs’ annual membership fees, you may still get the best value.
For a great selection online, check out Tire Rack or Discount Tire. Finally, for a balance of low prices and a huge selection in-store and online, Walmart Tire Center is another great option.
While the base cost of your tires is important, don’t forget to factor in installation and additional services as well.
“Buying tires has never been so cost competitive, so it’s very important to comparison shop,” money expert Clark Howard says. “Service after the sale is really important, especially if you live in a city with lots of potholes.”
Based on our research, Costco, Sam’s Club and BJ’s Tire Center offer some of the best overall tire-buying experiences including low prices, free services after the sale and convenience.
I’ve found these six tire retailers to be the best places to shop.
| Store | Installation Price Per Tire | Key Features & Services | Selection |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walmart | $17 | - Cheapest tires on average - Biggest selection of brands - Road hazard warranty available for $10 per tire | Firestone, Michelin, Cooper Tires and 69 other brands |
| Costco | $18.99 | - Installation charge is included in the quoted price - Best road hazard warranty (5 years) - Free lifetime maintenance | BFGoodrich, Bridgestone, Michelin, Firestone |
| Sam's Club | $20 | - Third-cheapest tires on average - Second-best road hazard warranty (4 years) - Flat repairs on members’ tires even if purchased elsewhere | GoodYear, Pirelli, BFGoodrich and 8 other brands |
| BJ's Tire Center | $20 | - Free lifetime maintenance - 3-year road hazard warranty - Installation is automatically added during checkout | Michelin, BFGoodrich, Bridgestone and 12 other brands |
| Tire Rack | $25 | - Biggest overall selection of tire sizes and models - Online-only with fast and free shipping to you or an installer - Get a discount if you pick up your tires from a distribution center | BFGoodrich, Kumho, Michelin and 27 other brands |
| Discount Tire | $30 | - Second-cheapest tires on average - Online-only tire store - Second-biggest selection of brands - Fast and free shipping to you or an installer | Bridgestone, Continental, Michelin and 58 other brands |
Below, you’ll find additional information on each tire retailer and head-to-head comparisons of tire prices, selection of brands, cost of installation, free services and warranty information.
Choosing the Best Tire Store
To find the best places to buy tires, I considered various popular online and in-store tire retailers and then weighed several factors in my own research. These factors included tire price, cost of installation, selection, free services and warranty information.
In 2019, Consumer Reports (subscription required) surveyed nearly 50,000 of its subscribers to ask about cost, selection, sales service and free perks when it came to purchasing tires. The magazine collected data on 31 tire stores.
I compared those 31 tire stores to the retailers where our team at ClarkDeals.com has found the best deals. Then I narrowed the selection down to 10 retailers that were all highly ranked by Consumer Reports. Here’s the list of 10: Walmart, Sam’s Club, Discount Tire, BJ’s Tire Center, Town Fair Tire Centers, Firestone Complete, Amazon.com, Tire Rack, Goodyear and Costco.
From there, I researched the prices and process of buying tires at each store. In my experience, you can find some of the best prices and overall buying experiences at Walmart, Costco, Sam’s Club, BJ’s Tire Center, Tire Rack and Discount Tire.
To determine which place is ultimately the best choice for purchasing your next set of tires, I took a closer look at the following factors:
Additionally, I entered information about my own car on each retailer’s website to see where I’d end up getting the best deal.
Cost of Tires
While there are many factors to consider when you’re deciding where to buy tires, cost is certainly a big one. Of course, prices vary and change all the time. You should shop for the best price on tires that fit your vehicle specifically. Then, once you’ve found the best price, make your final decision based on the factors I’ve outlined below.
To get an idea of how to accurately price compare across top tire retailers, I looked at the current prices of two specific popular tires at each store. Then, I checked out the range of prices and availability for tires for two popular vehicles.
In the table below, you’ll see prices for a Bridgestone Turanza Quiettrack 215/55R17 tire that fits my 2017 Toyota Camry and for a Michelin Defender LTX M/S 20″ tire that fits the popular Ford-F150. Prices are accurate as of March 2023.
| Cost of Bridgestone Turanza 215/55R17 Tires | Cost of Michelin Defender LTX M/S 20” Tires | Price Range for Tires That Fit a 2017 Toyota Camry | Price Range for 20” Tires That Fit a 2020 Ford-F150 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Costco | $209.99 | $262.99 | $144.99 to $209.99 (18 options) | $210.99 to $308.99 (12 options) |
| BJ’s Tire Center | $211.99 | $262.99 | $133.99 to $285.99 (33 options) | $179.99 to $351.99 (32 options) |
| Tire Rack | $209.99 | $262.99 | $106.03 to $257.01 (101 options) | $186.90 to $379.91 (95 options) |
| Sam’s Club | $228.97 | $262.99 | $86.84 to $253.22 (53 options) | $191.12 to $425.83 (45 options) |
| Discount Tire | $210 | $263 | $85 to $236 (143 options) | $123 to $454 (129 options) |
| Walmart | $216.99 | $262.99 | $65.99 to $254.99 (122 options) | $120.36 to $349.99 (214 options) |
In addition to the prices above, it’s worth noting that when I searched for the Bridgestone Turanza tires, there were promotions available at Tire Rack such as a $70 mail-in rebate plus an additional $30 discount if you use a Tire Rack credit card.
In the past, I’ve also seen savings of $110-$150 on a set of four tires with installation on the same tires at Costco and BJ’s Tire Center. With sales and rebates available throughout the year, you’ll likely be able to grab a great deal.
After adding the purchase of all four tires, adding the cost of installation (which we’ll look at next) and subtracting the discounts available in March 2023, here’s what my subtotals would be at each tire store for a set of Bridgestone Turanza tires to fit my 2017 Toyota Camry:
- Tire Rack: $839.96
- Discount Tire: $1,161.24
- Walmart: $935.96
- BJ’s Tire Center: $947.96
- Sam’s Club: $955.88
- Costco: $799.88
As you can see, promotions and rebates can make a huge difference in the total cost of your purchase. This is why it’s important to comparison shop. Of course, prices vary greatly and change often.
For these reasons, I recommend that you follow these steps to find the cheapest tires for your vehicle:
- Know the year, make, model and trim of your vehicle.
- Confirm your vehicle’s tire size.
This information is listed on your Vehicle Information Placard. The placard is permanently attached to the vehicle door edge, door post, glove-box door, or inside of the trunk lid. - Visit the website of each tire retailer you’re considering and enter your vehicle’s information.
- Choose the tires you’d like to have installed.
- Calculate the total cost of four tires at each retailer and subtract any rebates or promotions.
Once you know where you can get the best prices on tires for your vehicles, it’s time to consider the following additional factors.
Cost of Installation
In addition to purchasing your tires, you’ll likely also need professional installation. That usually means you’ll be looking at an additional charge, so take that into account before you make your purchase.
As of March 2023, here’s how much you can expect to pay for tire installation:
| Store | Cost Per Tire | Total Cost |
| Walmart | $17 | $68 |
| Costco | $19.99 | $79.96 |
| Discount Tire | $22 | $88 |
| BJ’s Tire Center | $20 | $80 |
| Sam’s Club | $20 | $80 |
| Tire Rack | $30 | $120 |
If you plan on having your tires installed at Walmart, know that installation will cost an additional $11 per tire if you bring in tires that you purchased elsewhere. And if you want the road hazard protection warranty, the cost of installation for tires purchased at Walmart is $25 each.
At Costco, the cost of installation is included in the quoted price of the tires. This may be one reason that the initial prices seem higher than competitors on some tires, but after factoring in installation, Costco could be one of your cheapest options.
Since Discount Tire and Tire Rack are online tire stores, you’ll need to choose a place to get your tires installed. The price in the table above is the average cost of installation at the companies’ partnering installers, but you can take the tires anywhere.
At BJ’s Tire Center, the cost of installation is automatically added when you check out. Whether you’re shopping online or in-store, you can expect this payment to be required upfront with the purchase of new tires.
Based on this information, Walmart offers the cheapest installation. But if the total cost of tires and installation is cheaper at Costco, Costco may be your best bet.
Selection of Tire Brands
Whether you’re loyal to a certain brand or you know exactly which tire you’re looking for, selection may be another important factor to consider when shopping for tires.
Generally speaking, you’ll find the biggest selection of tires at Walmart which carries 72 tire brands. Discount Tire offers the next-biggest selection with 68 brands followed by Tire Rack which offers 31. BJ’s Tire Center carries 14 different tire brands, while Sam’s Club carries 11 and Costco carries only four.
Below, you’ll find a full list of tire brands (listed alphabetically) carried by each retailer:
- Walmart: Accelera, Achilles, Advanta Tire, Americus, Armstrong, Arroyo Tire, Atlander Tires, Atlas, Bridgestone, Cambridge, Continental, Continental Tire, Cooper, Cooper Tires, Cordovan, Cosmo, Crosswind, Delinte, Delta, Dextero, Doral, Douglas, Falken Tires, Firestone, Forceland, Forceum, Fullway, Fuzion Tires, Goodyear, GT Radial, Hankook, Ironman, Kenda, Kenda Tire, Kumho Tire, Landgolden, Landsail, Laufenn, Lionhart, Mastercraft, Maxxis, Michelin, Milestar, Montreal, Multi-Mile, Nexen, Nitto, Nokian, Ohtsu, Otani, Pirelli, Premiorri, Prinx Tires, Radar, Roadone, Sailun, Sceptor, SOLAR, Solar Tires, Starfire, Sumitomo, SuperMax, Toyo Tire, Travelstar, Uniroyal, Venezia, Vercelli, Vogue, Waterfall, Yokohama, Zeetex, Zenna
- Discount Tire: Arisun, Arizonian, Atlas, Atturo, Barum, BFGoodrich, Braven, Bridgestone, Carlisle, Coker Tire, Continental, Cooper Tires, Corsa, Dick Cepek, Dunlop, EZGO, Falken, Fierce, Firestone, Fisk, GBC, General Tires, Geotrac, Giti, Gladiator, GMZ, Goodyear, GT Radial, Hankook, Hartland, Interco, Ironman, Kanati, Kumho Tire, Laufenn, Maxxis, Michelin, Mickey Thompson, Mile Star, Mohave, Journey, Nankang, Nexen, Nitto, Nokian, OHTSU, Pathfinder, Phantom, Pirelli, Pit Bull, Pro Comp, Radar Tires, Rage, Road Hugger, Rocky Mountain, Sentury Tire, Skat Trac, Sumitomo Tires, Taskmaster, Tensor, Toyo, Trailfinder, Uniroyal, Vision, Vogue Tyres, West Lake, Yokohama, Zenna
- Tire Rack: Avon, BFGoodrich, Bridgestone, Continental, Cooper Tires, Dick Cepek, Dunlop, Falken, Firestone, Fuzion, General Tire, Goodyear, Hankook, Hoosier, Kumho Tire, Laufenn, Maxxis, Michelin, Mickey Thompson, Nexen, Nitto, Nokian Tyres, Pirelli, Power King, Riken, Sumitomo, Toyo, Uniroyal, Vredestein Tires, Vogue, Yokohama
- BJ’s Tire Center: BFGoodrich, Bridgestone, Continental, Cooper Tires, General Tires, Goodyear, Hankook, Kelly Tires, Kumho, Michelin, Nexen, Pirelli, Toyo Tires, Yokohama
- Sam’s Club: BFGoodrich, Continental, Falken Tires, General Tire, Goodyear, Hankook, Kumho, Michelin, Mickey Thompson, Nexen, Pirelli
- Costco: BFGoodrich, Bridgestone, Firestone, Michelin
Services and Aftercare
Perhaps one of the most important factors to consider before buying new tires is the maintenance and aftercare that you’ll be paying for.
Based on my research, Costco offers some of the best free services, lifetime maintenance and road hazard warranty available. With a tire purchase at Costco, you’ll also get free lifetime inflation pressure checks, tire balancing, tire rotations and flat repairs. Plus, the road hazard warranty covers tire repairs and replacements for up to five years.
Sam’s Club also offers great tire services and aftercare. No-charge services include balance and rotations, air pressure and tread depth checks, 50-mile re-torques and other services for your vehicle such as wiper blade installation, battery installation and battery checks. The warranty lasts up to four years after tire purchase and covers repairs and replacements. However, flat tire repair is a Sam’s Club membership benefit no matter where you bought the tires.
At BJ’s Tire Center, tire purchases come with free lifetime tire rotation, wheel rebalancing, flat repairs and inflation checks. The full road hazard warranty lasts up to three years and covers repairs as well as replacements.
Walmart includes lifetime balance and rotation every 7,500 miles and 50-mile lug re-torques with the installation. For $10 more per tire ($25 per tire total), you can also get the road hazard protection warranty that covers flat repairs and eligible replacements.
Coming in last for services and aftercare, Discount Tire and Tire Rack each offer a 30-day return policy on unused tires that you aren’t satisfied with. Beyond the return policy, tires are covered by the standard manufacturer’s warranty which includes workmanship and material defects. Warranty lengths vary by manufacturer.
A Closer Look at the Best Places To Buy Tires
Based on my research including the selection of tires and cost of installation as well as included services, here are more details on the top six places to consider making your purchase.
Walmart Tires
If you’re strictly looking for a good price, Walmart may be worth considering early in your search for tires. The tire center offers a huge selection of tires with some of the lowest available starting prices. Plus, Walmart offers the cheapest installation at $17 per tire.
You can choose from a huge selection of brands including Firestone, Michelin, Cooper, Goodyear, and BFGoodrich. Plus, you can shop online or in-store.
According to a 2019 study by Consumer Reports, Walmart’s sales, service and installation quality earned average ratings, though customers agree that the installation time is longer than average and there’s a substantial lack of free perks. Still, it can be a great place to purchase cheap tires.
Walmart also offers its Lifetime Balance and Rotation Plan for $14 per tire. For that price, Walmart will rotate and rebalance your tires at no charge for the life of the tires.
Compared to the other retailers on this list, here are a few of the biggest benefits and drawbacks to keep in mind if you’re thinking about buying tires from Walmart.
Pros:
- Low prices on tires
- Cheap installation even if you buy the tires elsewhere
- Shop online or in-store
Cons:
- You won’t get as many free perks as you will at a warehouse.
- Installation times may vary.
To learn more about Walmart Tires, including what you can expect while making your first purchase, check out these five things to know.
Costco Tires
While Costco may not be cheapest option on the list, it is one of the highest rated. Plus, several times a year, the warehouse club will discount select brands of tires by $40 to $80 and offer installation for just a penny per tire (regularly $19.99 per tire).
Costco’s selection may not be the largest, but there’s a big emphasis on staple brands like Michelin, Bridgestone and B.F. Goodrich. Plus, with every installation, you’ll receive free inflation pressure checks, tire balancing, tire rotations, flat repairs and a five-year road hazard warranty.
“I buy my tires at Costco when they offer the double discount of penny installation and an additional incentive for using my Costco Visa card,” Clark notes. “That works out to be a savings of $130!”
Here are a few of the biggest advantages and disadvantages to be aware of when it comes to buying tires from Costco.
Pros:
- Costco fills your tires with nitrogen instead of compressed air.
- Installation is cheap.
- Scheduling an appointment online is easy.
- You’ll get a five-year road hazard warranty and free lifetime maintenance services.
Cons:
- You won’t find the cheapest per-tire prices.
- You have to be a member to purchase tires from Costco.
- Selection may be limited.
For more information, check out these five things you should know before getting new tires at Costco.
Sam’s Club Tires
Sam’s Club also offers very competitive prices on popular tire brands including Michelin, BFGoodrich, Goodyear and Pirelli. Installation averages around $20 per tire depending on your vehicle and location.
Members can order tires online and get them installed at a nearby Sam’s Club, or you can buy the tires in-store. Customers who participated in the Consumer Reports survey said that the installation quality was very good and rated the free perks as excellent.
Tire installation at Sam’s Club includes 24-hour emergency roadside assistance, road hazard protection, rotation, balancing and flat repair for the lifetime of the tires.
You’ll also find promotions, discounts and rebates available year-round on select tire brands. For these reasons, it’s definitely worth paying the difference compared to cheaper tires at Walmart.
Here are a few of the biggest pros and cons when it comes to buying tires from Sam’s Club.
Pros:
- Free perks include wiper blade installation, battery installation/check and more.
- Great prices compared to other tire retailers
Cons:
- You have to be member to buy tires or use the tire center services.
- Some services, like oil changes and tire alignment, aren’t available.
For more information about buying tires at Sam’s Club, check out these five things to know.
BJ’s Tire Center
BJ’s Tire Center is another great option for buying cheap tires. You’ll find mail-in rebates and discounts available throughout the year, and installation costs $20 per tire.
Customers agreed that the product selection and installation time at BJ’s are good and gave sales services and installation even better marks.
What makes BJ’s one of the best options are all the free perks you get with tire installation. You’ll receive tire rotation, wheel rebalancing, flat repairs, inflation checks and a full road hazard warranty all at no charge.
BJ’s also offers a three-point tire promise, including an incredible value with a $20 installation, top-brand quality and premium service.
Based on my research, here are the biggest pros and cons for buying tires at BJ’s Tire Center.
Pros:
- Great selection, installation times, sales service and installation quality
- Installation includes maintenance for the life of the tire including rotation, rebalancing and more.
Cons:
- You have to be a member to buy tires from BJ’s Tire Center.
- Only tires purchased from BJ’s Tire Center can be installed there.
If you’re a BJ’s Wholesale Club member, be sure to check out these five things to know before buying BJ’s tires.
Tire Rack
If you’re comfortable shopping for tires online, you’ll most likely find what you’re looking for at Tire Rack. This online tire retailer offers the biggest selection of tire models. When I checked out the selection that fit my Toyota Camry, there were 101 tires to choose from.
Additionally, you can find a pretty good deal compared to traditional brick-and-mortar tire stores. On average, Tire Rack’s prices are on par with Goodyear and Costco. You can also check out the tire sales and deals page for current promotions and rebates.
When you order tires from Tire Rack, you can have them shipped to your door or straight to a recommended local installer. You’ll also have the option to pick up the tires yourself from the nearest distribution center for additional savings.
Here are the biggest pros and cons that I found with Tire Rack.
Pros:
- Shipping is fast and free.
- You’ll find good prices on a huge selection of tires.
- Tires can be shipped to your door or directly to a professional installer.
Cons:
- You will have to schedule and pay for installation separately.
- Online-only store
- No services: just tire sales
Discount Tire
Discount Tire is another great tire retailer that offers affordable tires online. You’ll find mail-in rebates and discounts available on popular tires throughout the year and installation averages around $22 per store. Additionally, you’ll nearly always find deals and rebates available, which is a great way to get the best price.
Customers agree that everything from the selection to the sales service to shipping is excellent. Discount Tire carries more than 68 tire brands including Bridgestone, Continental, Goodyear and Michelin.
As with any online tire retailer, the installation price and services can vary depending on where you choose to get the tires installed, and you won’t be getting many free perks with an online retailer.
Compared to the other tire stores on this list, here are a few of the biggest pros and cons that I found with Discount Tire.
Pros:
- Shipping is fast and free.
- You’ll find great prices on a big selection of tires.
- Tires can be shipped to your door or directly to a professional installer.
Cons:
- You will have to schedule and pay for installation separately.
- Online-only store
- No services: just tire sales
If you’re thinking about buying tires online, here are five things to know before shopping at Discount Tire.
Final Thoughts
If cheap tires and installation are your priorities, Walmart may be the best place to shop. However, prices vary greatly and change frequently. Plus, every vehicle requires specific tire sizes and types. For these reasons, it’s important to comparison shop yourself to determine where you’ll find the best price.
In addition to price, you should also consider free services, lifetime maintenance and general aftercare. In these categories, Costco and Sam’s Club come out on top. Depending on what kind of conditions you drive in, these may be the most important factors to consider before buying new tires.
Each of these retailers allows you to purchase online and have the tires shipped and installed at your nearest location, and that’s a great way to get the best price.
Of course, it’s important to keep up with regular tire maintenance. Know when your tires will need to be changed and plan ahead. You’ll likely find more deals just before the seasons change around April and October. Either way, you’ll have more time to compare prices if you know the purchase is coming up!
Where do you go for the best price on tires for your vehicle? Share your thoughts in our Clark.com Community!
Article Updates
- March 27, 2023: Updated current pricing and availability across all tires/retailers.
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