Are Iowa Families Scaling Back Halloween as Prices Soar?

With the warm weather, it may not feel like it, but Halloween is fast approaching!

This year, many across the country, including here in Iowa, may be cutting back on Halloween spending.

Halloween Budgets Cut Due to Inflation

This Halloween, many Iowans are feeling a chill not from autumn air, but from their wallets.

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Across the U.S., rising inflation is forcing families to rethink their Halloween plans, and Iowa households are no exception.

READ MORE: Check Out All The Big Halloween Events Across Eastern Iowa

A recent survey by CouponFollow shows that nearly 1 in 5 Americans (19%) won’t celebrate due to rising costs.

Halloween this year at all, with 72% of those citing inflation as the reason.

Among those still celebrating, many are trimming their budgets for candy, costumes, decorations, and parties.

Iowans Love Halloween Season

In Iowa, where fall festivities are a community staple, think church trunk-or-treats, neighborhood trick-or-treat blocks, and school costume parades, the squeeze is being felt.

Families that once splurged on elaborate costumes or yard displays are now turning to thrift shops, DIY crafts, and bulk candy deals at discount stores.

Nationwide, the typical American plans to spend about $220 on Halloween in 2025.

That number is driven by comparably steep increases in candy and costume prices. For example:

• The price of chocolate is up 13% over last year; candy in general has risen 23%.

• One of the most expensive costumes in 2025, “Mr. Fantastic,” averages about $87.99.

• On the other end, the character “Stitch” ranks among the more affordable costumes, costing around $23.54 on average.

• Candy prices vary wildly: 3 Musketeers now cost about $0.93 per ounce, while M&M’s are one of the few that dropped in price (down 3%).

Rural Iowa at an Advantage?

Iowa’s rural and small-town settings may offer some advantages: local farmers' markets, co-ops, and community swaps can drive down costs. But for many, the calculus is the same: more creativity, less expense.

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Some Iowa families are choosing to host small home haunted-house setups instead of renting large inflatable displays.

Others are combining resources: a neighborhood group costume swap, or pooling candy-buying with neighbors to get bulk discounts.

While inflation is tricking many into scaling back, a spirit of Iowa resourcefulness lives on.

After all, a spooky season doesn’t need to break the bank to deliver delight.