Consumers face scarier Halloween costs this year. Here's why.
Summary
Americans are expected to spend a record $13.5 billion on Halloween in 2026, even as candy and costume costs rise. Cocoa purchased during earlier price spikes, along with transportation and fulfillment expenses, is helping keep prices high; shoppers may save by comparing prices and ordering candy online.Key Facts
- The National Retail Federation forecasts $13.5 billion in Halloween spending this year, including $4.1 billion on candy.
- PwC found that people expect to spend about $263 on average, while two-thirds of Americans surveyed by WalletHub said Halloween has become too expensive.
- Chicago Costume general manager Cortland Hickey cited fuel surcharges, diesel costs, and other transportation expenses as reasons costumes cost more.
- The share of consumers planning to shop online for Halloween fell to 27% this year, from 31% in 2025, according to the National Retail Federation.
- The Wells Fargo Agri-Food Institute expects chocolate prices to be 8% higher than last Halloween.
- A 100-piece bag of assorted Halloween candy averaged $16.96 in 2026, up 3.5% from 2025 and 71% from 2021, according to FinanceBuzz.
- Candy prices remain affected by earlier cocoa price spikes because manufacturers are still using cocoa bought during the 2025 surge.
- The article says shoppers can look for savings by comparing prices per piece or per pound and checking online candy deals.
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