How Inflation Raised the Price of Halloween — the practical version

Key Takeaways

• 3 Musketeers are the most costly Halloween candy, with an average current price of $0.79 an ounce.
• Skittles are the least costly Halloween candy, with an average current price of $0.32 an ounce.
• Milky Way bars experienced a 97% price jump this year, with an average current price of $0.77 an ounce compared to $0.39 an ounce in the previous year.
• On average, a Charizard costume is the most costly popular costume ($65.01), while a Luigi costume is the least costly ($27.79).

Candy Prices at a Sugar High

• On average, chocolate candy ($0.63 per ounce) currently costs 62% more than other types of candy ($0.39 per ounce).
  • Chocolate candy has experienced a 43% price jump this year.
  • Other types of candy have experienced a 20% price jump this year.
• On average, buying candy in bulk ($0.48 per ounce) currently saves 28% compared to buying in small quantities ($0.67 per ounce).

The Monstrous Price of Halloween Costumes

• On average, Charizard is the most costly trending costume ($65.01), showing just how popular Pokémon continues to be.
  • Pikachu is a more low-priced Pokémon costume at an average price of $28.78.
• A X-Men Wolverine costume costs more than a Deadpool costume ($56.93 vs. $46.79).
• A Luigi costume is the least costly ($27.79), while a Mario costume costs $35.94.

Tips for a More Low-priced Halloween

While inflation may have pushed up the price of candy and costumes, celebrating Halloween on a tight budget is still possible with a few smart strategies. Here are some ideas to help you save this season:

• DIY costumes. Cut costs by putting together costumes applying items you already own, or by browsing thrift stores for low-priced choices. You could also organize a costume swap with friends or family to further save on expenses.
• Use household items for decorations. Turn old sheets into ghosts, use paper for spooky cutouts, or repurpose recyclables to make eerie settings.
• Buy candy in bulk. Buying candy in larger quantities can save up to 28% compared to buying in small packages.
• Shop early. Stock up on candy and costumes early in the season when prices are typically lower.
• Be on the lookout for deals. Many retailers have Halloween related sales in the days leading up to the holiday. Take advantage of sales and coupon codes when offered.
• Host a potluck Halloween party. Share the cost of food and festivities by inviting friends and neighbors to contribute to a potluck-style celebration.
• Look for free local events. Research community trick-or-treating, fall festivals, or other local events to have fun without extra costs.

With a little creativity and planning, you can keep your Halloween festivities both spooky and budget-friendly.

Methodology

To analyze the impact of inflation on Halloween candy and costume prices, we gathered data from CamelCamelCamel and Amazon. We tracked current candy prices and compared them to the lowest price from the past year. We also identified average prices for popular Halloween costumes. Data was collected from September 12-13, 2024.