Halloween candy has apparently decided it would like a bigger share of the October budget.
FinanceBuzz’s updated candy-price study puts the increase at 71% since 2021 for the bulk mixed-candy bags it sampled. That number deserves a closer look before it scares the fun out of filling a candy bowl.
The important part is since 2021. The same study found a much smaller increase of 3.5% from last year.
What the 71% number actually measures
FinanceBuzz worked out an average cost per 100 pieces of candy. Its sample went from $9.91 in 2021 to $16.39 in 2025 and $16.96 in 2026.
That’s $7.05 more across five years, with 57 cents of that increase coming in the latest year.
The researchers used full-price bulk mixed-candy bags from Walmart, Target, Kroger and Albertsons, with at least 25 bags per year. Older prices came from archived weekly ads; the current prices came from retailer websites in September 2026.
So $16.96 is a comparison figure from that sample. Your store, candy mix, bag size and sale price can produce a different total. The study also measures cost per piece, which doesn’t tell you whether those pieces are the same size.
The national numbers tell a separate story
The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ August 2026 Consumer Price Index shows candy and chewing gum prices up 8.1% from August 2025.
That’s a broader category over a different period. It shouldn’t be swapped in for the Halloween-bag study or used to rank which number is “right.” They measure different things, and both show higher prices within their own comparisons.
Do the candy-bowl math before the checkout math
Start with how many people you expect and how many pieces you want to hand out. If you’re planning for 100 trick-or-treaters at two pieces each, that’s 200 pieces. A bag with a giant “100” on the front gets you halfway there.
Then compare the bags using the job you need them to do:
- For handing out individual pieces: Divide the price by the piece count. A hypothetical $15 bag with 100 pieces costs 15 cents per piece; a $20 bag with 200 costs 10 cents per piece.
- For comparing the amount of candy: Check the net weight and price per ounce, too. A miniature and a full-size bar each count as one piece. They are very different candy-bowl commitments.
- For keeping the total manageable: Decide what you’ll spend before choosing the enormous bag. A lower unit price is only useful if you actually want that much candy.
Comparison-shopping is already on people’s minds. In the National Retail Federation’s 2026 Halloween survey, 31% said they would compare stores if Halloween prices were higher than expected, while 26% would look for coupons or sales.
For the fun part of choosing the treats, our Halloween food and candy guide has the seasonal releases. Just give the piece count a look before the bag goes in the cart. “Fun size” is doing enough work already.
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