Study Reveals How Much Your Favorite Halloween Candy Has Increased in Price Since 2016

Article courtesy of FundedFast

According to a new study, Halloween candy has increased in price by 57% compared to 2016.
Some candy brands with the highest price increases include Butterfinger candy bars, which have more than doubled in price compared to 2016, and M&M’s, which have increased in price by almost 90% since 2016.
The data also reveals that it now costs around $225 to throw a Halloween party for 10 guests in 2026.

New research has revealed how much the cost of America’s favorite Halloween candy has risen over the past decade.

Research by the prop trading firm FundedFast examined data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Price Index to calculate how much candy and chewing gum prices have increased from September 2016 to September 2026.

The study then examined online data from leading U.S. grocery retailers to obtain pricing details of popular candy brands to determine how much they have increased in price from October 2016 to October 2026.

To obtain 2016 pricing details, the study used the Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine to gather pricing information from the same retailers in October 2016.

According to the research, candy and chewing gum prices in the U.S. have risen by 57% from 2016 to 2026.

This represents an annual average increase of 4.6%.

The research reveals that Butterfinger candy bars have more than doubled in price since 2016.

Buying a single full-sized Butterfinger bar would’ve cost around $0.78 in 2016. However, in 2026, this price has risen to $1.57, marking a price increase of 101.3%.

M&M’s have also experienced a significant price increase over the past 10 years.

The study found that buying a pack of M&M’s Peanut Fun Size Halloween Chocolate Candy in 2016 would’ve cost around $2.89. Now, the price has risen to around $5.48, which is an increase of 89.6%.

The study found that the price per ounce of Sour Patch Kids has increased by 90.2% from 2016 to 2026.

In 2016, a family-sized bag of Sour Patch Kids cost around $4.70. In 2026, this has risen to $8.47, despite the bag decreasing in size from 30.40 oz to 28.80 oz.

Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups have also risen in price by 83.9% from 2016 to 2026.

In 2016, a multipack of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups cost around $4.48. In 2026, this has risen to $8.24.

A pack of Snickers full-sized bars has increased in price by 79.9% from 2016 to 2026.

A multipack of Snickers bars cost approximately $4.38 in 2016, compared to $7.88 in 2026.

Skittles have also experienced a significant price increase over the past decade.

In 2016, a standard bag of Skittles cost approximately $2.08, compared to $3.96 in 2026. However, the bag has also increased in size from 9.10 oz to 9.65 oz. After accounting for this difference, the price per ounce has increased by approximately 79.5%.

The price of Starburst has also risen considerably over the past decade.

In 2016, a sharing-sized bag of Starburst cost approximately $2.48, compared to $4.58 in 2026. However, the bag has also increased in size from 14 oz to 15.60 oz. After accounting for this difference, the price per ounce has increased by approximately 65.7%.

In 2016, people could buy a bag of Twizzlers Twists for $2.35. Over 10 years, this figure has now risen to $3.48, marking a price increase of 48.1%.

The study also estimates how much it would cost to throw a Halloween party for 10 guests in 2026.

The study included the cost of ingredients for homemade chili, alongside potato chips, chocolate chip cookies, ice cream, beer, wine, soft drinks, and carving pumpkins.

The research also factored in the cost of Halloween costumes, decorations, and tableware.

If all 10 guests buy a new costume for the party, the study found that it would now cost around $540 for a household to throw a Halloween party in 2026.

If just one host buys a new costume for the party, it would realistically cost them around $225 to throw a Halloween party.

Based on the $225 figure, it would take the average American nearly six hours of work to pay for a Halloween party in 2026.

Andrea Faleburle, the CEO of FundedFast, commented:

“This research highlights how rising prices across the U.S. could be influencing the way Americans celebrate holidays such as Halloween.

“For example, rising prices may be encouraging households to reconsider hosting Halloween parties, invite fewer guests, or reuse old Halloween costumes rather than purchasing new ones.

“With the average American now having to work a six-hour workday to afford a Halloween party, it’s evident that inflation is causing people to celebrate Halloween differently compared to previous years.

“It’s also surprising to see the inflation difference between specific candy brands in the U.S.

“This showcases how in certain cases, thanks to inflation, households are now paying more for less.”

This information was provided by the prop trading firm, FundedFast.

Methodology:

The research examined data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Price Index to determine the rise in price for candy and chewing gum from September 2016 to September 2026.

The research also examined historical and current prices from leading U.S. grocery retailers to identify which popular candy brands have experienced the biggest price increases over the past decade.

The research used the Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine to gather pricing information from October 2016.

The study examined pricing data over the course of at least two days to obtain accurate details from both 2016 and 2026.

Where product packaging sizes differed between 2016 and 2026, the study calculated the percentage increase using prices per ounce to ensure a like-for-like comparison.

To calculate the average cost of throwing a Halloween party in 2026, the study examined data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Price Index, Amazon.com, USDA AMS National Retail Report, and Halloweencostumes.com.

The study obtained pricing information for each of the following:

Food: Homemade chili (ground beef, beans, tomatoes, cheddar), potato chips, chocolate chip cookies and ice cream.

Drinks: Beer, wine, and soft drinks

Candy: A 2 lb bowl of fun-size candy

Pumpkins: Two carving pumpkins

Decorations: A spider web pack, a banner, and balloons

Tableware: Halloween plates, napkins, and cups

Costumes: 10 adult Halloween costumes

The research then calculated the total cost of hosting a party for 10 attendees in total.

To determine how many hours it would take for the average American to cover the cost of a Halloween party, the research examined median working hours and median hourly pay data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.