LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Halloween is less than two weeks away, and shoppers may be in for a scare while browsing for costumes and candy. This year, the real trick could be finding a treat that doesn't break the bank.
"Overpriced candy. Candy is just $20 a bag, $10 a bag, and very small quantities," Blackston said. "Unfortunately, you are going to pay a pretty penny for some candy."
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Schequanna Blackston is looking forward to Halloween and loves to dress up. She tells me she'll be spending the night trick-or-treating with her 12-year-old nephew, and they've already locked in their costumes.
"I think I am going to be a love referee and he is going to be some kind of anime character," Blackston said.
But she knows how quickly costs add up, so she made sure to shop around to find the best prices.
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"We checked the Goodwill. Sometimes the Goodwill has some decent prices," Blackston said.
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According to the National Retail Federation, Halloween spending in 2025 is expected to reach a record $13.1 billion — up from $11.6 billion last year. Roughly $4.3 billion will go toward costumes and $3.9 billion toward candy.
For Las Vegas families, that means even the basics are pricier than before.
A Finance Buzz study finds candy prices have climbed 78% since 2020. A 100-piece bag now averages around $16 — up from just over $9 five years ago — with the cost jumping more than $2 per year over the last two Halloweens.
And it's not just sweets. ABC News reports children's costumes could cost up to 25% more this year.
"Unfortunately, everything has gone up," Blackston said.
For working families here, Halloween joy now comes with price-tag anxiety. From shopping at Goodwill to fighting sticker shock at big-box stores, locals are pulling together to make sure the tradition carries on, no matter the cost.
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