In this article:
Key takeaways
- Halloween spending is projected to reach $13.1 billion in 2025, driven by higher participation and prices.
- Costume purchases remain the largest Halloween expense, with annual spending ranging between $3.8 billion and $4.3 billion.
- Halloween decoration spending has surged to $4.2 billion as social media encourages elaborate home displays.
- Borrowing for Halloween purchases can create lingering debt, especially for households already living paycheck-to-paycheck.
What's scarier than a haunted house? Finding out that Americans spent a projected $13.1 billion on Halloween in 2025 - with the average person dropping $114.45 on costumes, candy, and decorations, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF).
This article delves into how much Americans spend on Halloween - and why it keeps rising. Since you'll learn where the money goes, you should get a better understanding of the biggest spending pitfalls - potentially avoiding the post-Halloween debt hangover.
This article reveals seven surprising Halloween spending statistics backed by the latest research, plus practical tips to keep your October celebrations festive - without waking up to a November financial nightmare.
Please note, the material collected in this post is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be relied upon as or construed as advice regarding any specific circumstances. Nor is it an endorsement of any organization or services.
7 halloween spending facts that might shock you
Halloween spending is expected to reach spine-chilling heights. The latest spending projection of $13.1 billion for the 2025 holiday from the NRF is a new record and up from $11.6 billion in 2024. While now the average person spends $114.45 on Halloween, they only spent $103.63 in 2023. That's over a 10% jump in individual spending.
What's driving the growth? The NRF data shows that approximately 73% of U.S. adults celebrate Halloween, with many shoppers citing higher prices, inflation, and tariffs as reasons for increased costs. Post-pandemic, more people are embracing Halloween as a reason to celebrate and connect - leading to higher participation rates and bigger budgets.
Costumes take the biggest bite out of budgets
Costumes remain the top spending category for Halloween revelers. The latest NRF data shows costume spending ranges from $3.8 billion to $4.3 billion annually, making it the single largest Halloween expense category.
Why do costumes command such a big chunk of the budget? Many families buy multiple costumes - one for each child, plus adult costumes for parties or trick-or-treating supervision. Add in pet costumes (yes, that's a real spending category), and the costs multiply quickly.
The pressure to create Instagram-worthy looks or match trending characters from movies and shows can push costume budgets even higher. Unlike decorations that might last multiple years, costumes are often single-use purchases, especially for growing kids who need new sizes annually.
Home décor sales are growing faster than candy sales
Here's a surprising trend: Decoration spending has surged to $4.2 billion annually, nearly matching or exceeding candy purchases. The NRF surveys reveal that Americans are investing more in creating elaborate Halloween displays, driven by social media trends and the desire to create memorable experiences at home.
The shift toward "experience" purchases means people aren't just buying a few pumpkins anymore. They're investing in animatronic displays, professional-grade lighting, and themed yard decorations. Many of these purchases happen through impulse buying when shoppers spot creative displays in stores or online.
If you're planning to deck out your home, consider using EarnIn's Balance Shield1 tool to set alerts when your account balance drops, helping you stay aware of your spending before it gets away from you.
Parties and events are more elaborate than ever
The NRF data highlights another key trend: Consumers are spending more on Halloween experiences like haunted houses, parties, and themed events. This shift from simple trick-or-treating to elaborate celebrations has become a significant driver of Halloween overspending. People aren't just buying candy to hand out anymore - they're purchasing party supplies, costumes for themed events, and tickets to Halloween attractions.
Borrowing for Halloween is becoming a habit
With 61% of Americans living paycheck-to-paycheck, the timing of Halloween expenses can create financial strain. Many lack the $400 in emergency savings that could cover seasonal spending spikes. This financial vulnerability could cause some people to turn to short-term borrowing options to cover Halloween costs.
The challenge with borrowing for seasonal purchases is that the debt can linger long after the decorations come down. Whether it's credit card balances that accumulate interest or other forms of short-term credit, what starts as a small Halloween splurge can become a lasting financial burden. Planning ahead and exploring safer alternatives can help avoid this trap.
The scary truth behind overspending
Social media influence
Instagram and TikTok have transformed Halloween from a one-night event into a month-long social media showcase. The pressure to create picture-perfect moments - from elaborate trunk-or-treat setups to coordinated family costumes - drives last-minute purchases that weren't in the original budget. When you see a creative DIY idea at 10 p.m. the night before Halloween, it can be easy to justify "just one more" shopping trip.
The "just one more thing" trap
The psychology of Halloween shopping makes overspending almost inevitable. You go in for candy and walk out with decorative pumpkins, themed napkins, and a fog machine. Retailers strategically place seasonal items throughout the store, making it nearly impossible to stick to your list. Each small addition seems harmless, but they can add up fast.
Buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) temptation
The rise of buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) options for seasonal purchases can create its own risks. While spreading out payments might seem helpful, using credit for discretionary Halloween spending can lead to a pile-up of payments in November and December - right when holiday expenses hit. What feels manageable in October can become overwhelming when combined with other seasonal costs.
How to enjoy Halloween without breaking the bank
Want to celebrate without the financial fright? Start with these practical strategies.
- Plan costume swaps with friends - trading last year's outfits gives everyone something "new" without the price tag.
- Buy decorations during off-season clearance sales when prices drop 75% or more. (For even more budget-friendly ideas, check out 5 ways to enjoy Halloween on a budget.)
- Small, consistent savings can make a big difference. Setting aside just $10 a week starting in summer gives you over $100 by Halloween.
- If you need to cover costs before payday, EarnIn's Cash Out2 feature lets you access up to $150/day, with a max of $1,000 between paydays from your earned wages - with no interest and no mandatory fees. (Limits vary by user.) There's just the option to tip3 what you think is fair. With standard transfers taking 1–2 business days, Cash Out2 can help you manage Halloween expenses quickly. It also may help you avoid potentially high-cost credit options. If you need cash more quickly, EarnIn’s optional Lightning Speed4 service can give you access in minutes for $3.99 a transfer.
Learn more about how EarnIn can help you through the holidays.
A sweet holiday without the sour debt
Halloween should be about making memories, not maxing out credit cards. Planning ahead can be a good defense against debt. Whether you save throughout the year, swap costumes with friends, or use tools like Cash Out2 to help bridge timing gaps - the important thing is you have potential options that don't involve high-interest borrowing.
By being intentional about your Halloween budget and exploring creative alternatives, you can enjoy all the fun without the financial hangover. Remember: The best Halloween memories come from creativity and connection, not having the most TikTok worthy costume on the block.
Please note, the material collected in this post is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be relied upon as or construed as advice regarding any specific circumstances. Nor is it an endorsement of any organization or services.
This Blog was sponsored by EarnIn. While the author received compensation, the information shared is grounded in independent research and intended to provide helpful and accurate guidance to readers.
EarnIn is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services are provided by our bank partners on certain products other than Cash Out.
1
Balance Shield provides free alerts when your bank account balance drops below the threshold you set in your EarnIn account. You can also enable automatic transfers ($100/day — subject to your available earnings — with a limit of $1,000/pay period), if your bank account balance falls below your set threshold. If your available earnings are insufficient to transfer the $100, the transfer will not be completed. You choose the speed of these automatic transfers. Standard speed is available at no cost and the transfer typically takes 1-2 business days. Lightning Speed is available for a fee [see Lightning Speed Fee Table] and the transfer typically takes less than 30 minutes. You will also have the option to set a tip for automatic transfers. Tips are optional and can be $0; however, if you choose to set a tip, it will be applied to each Balance Shield transfer. Whether you tip, how much, and how often you tip does not impact the quality and availability of services. You can cancel the alerts and/or transfers at any time in your EarnIn account settings. See the Cash Out User Agreement for more details. While Balance Shield can help you avoid overdrafts, it does not guarantee protection from third-party fees, and its effectiveness depends on your usage and bank activity.2
EarnIn determines your daily and pay period limits (“Daily Max” and “Pay Period Max”) based on your income and financial risk factors as outlined in the Cash Out User Agreement. EarnIn reserves the right to adjust the Daily Max and Pay Period Max at its discretion. Your actual Daily Max will be displayed in your EarnIn account before each Cash Out. For additional information about your Daily Max and Pay Period Max, please refer to our FAQ. Service may not be available in all states. EarnIn does not charge interest on Cash Outs or mandatory fees for standard transfers, which usually take 1–2 business days. For faster transfers, you can choose the Lightning Speed option and pay a fee to receive funds within 30 minutes. Lightning Speed may not be available at all times and/or to all customers. See the Fee Table for details. Tips are optional and do not affect the quality or availability of services.
3
Tips go to EarnIn and help us provide tools such as Credit Monitoring for free and keep Lightning Speed fees low. Your service quality and availability aren't affected by whether you tip or not.4
Lightning Speed is an optional service that allows you to expedite the transfer of funds for a fee. Depending on the product, the fee may be charged by EarnIn or its banking partner. Lightning Speed may not be available to all customers. Actual transfer speeds depend on your bank. See the Lightning Speed Fee Table for details.
