Halloween Costume Trends and Prices for 2025

Americans will spend a record $13.1 billion on Halloween in 2025, with costumes accounting for $4.3 billion of that total. Understanding the trends and pricing can help shoppers make informed decisions about their Halloween purchases.

Record Spending Projections

The National Retail Federation projects Halloween spending will reach $13.1 billion in 2025, up from $11.6 billion in 2024 and exceeding the previous record of $12.2 billion set in 2023. Per-person spending will average $114.45, with $37.62 allocated specifically for costumes.

Nearly 73% of consumers plan to celebrate Halloween this year, matching 2024 participation levels. The willingness to spend remains strong despite 79% of shoppers anticipating higher prices due to tariffs on imported goods.

Costume purchases dominate Halloween spending across all categories. Adult costumes will account for $2 billion, children’s costumes $1.4 billion, and pet costumes $860 million. One in four consumers plans to dress up their pets this year.

Adult Costume Price Ranges

Standard adult costumes at specialty retailers like Spirit Halloween and HalloweenCostumes.com typically range from $30 to $70, with an average price of $50. Licensed character costumes from major franchises like Disney, Marvel, or DC tend to cost more due to licensing fees.

Budget-conscious shoppers can find adult costumes starting at $20 from discount retailers like Walmart and Target. Higher-end costume options featuring detailed materials and accessories can exceed $90, particularly for elaborate designs or premium character reproductions.

Rental options provide an alternative to purchasing. Costume rental shops charge $45 to $150 for day rentals, with an average rental costing around $75. Movie-quality rental costumes command premium prices but offer superior craftsmanship and authentic details.

Children’s Costume Pricing

Kids’ costumes average $30 at traditional Halloween stores, with prices ranging from $20 to $40 depending on complexity and licensing. Character costumes from popular franchises typically cost more than generic options like witches, ghosts, or pirates.

Discount stores offer lower-priced alternatives. Walmart and Target sell children’s costumes starting at $20, with many options under $25. These retailers introduced their Halloween collections in August, giving shoppers more time to compare prices and selections.

Secondhand costume shops provide significant savings. Resale stores like Once Upon a Child sell gently used children’s costumes for an average of $8.86. Many costumes remain in excellent condition, with some still having original tags attached.

Tariff Impact on Pricing

Tariffs on imported goods have created upward pressure on costume prices. Approximately 90% of Halloween products contain at least one component made overseas, primarily in China. Manufacturers and retailers absorb some tariff costs, but the remainder passes to consumers.

Costume prices are projected to increase by $5 to $10 per unit compared to previous years. Manufacturers prioritize keeping children’s costume prices stable while adult costumes see larger increases. Products manufactured outside China, such as items from Mexico or Vietnam, avoid some tariff pressure.

The Halloween and Costume Association reports that smaller manufacturers struggle most with tariff costs. Many lack the scale to shift production domestically or absorb additional expenses, leading to reduced inventory and, in some cases, business closures.

Pop Culture Trends Driving Demand

Television and streaming content heavily influence 2025 costume trends. Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters has generated significant demand, with the series becoming one of the platform’s most-watched releases. Spirit Halloween offers exclusive licensed costumes from the show, though many sizes sold out quickly.

Wednesday Addams costumes remain popular following the second season release of the Tim Burton series. The character’s gothic aesthetic appeals to multiple age groups, with costumes ranging from simple black dresses to detailed school uniforms.

Wicked continues generating costume interest ahead of the second film’s release. Pink and green color-coordinated costumes for Glinda and Elphaba rank among the season’s top-selling duo options. Specialty retailers stock multiple versions, including classic dresses, school uniforms, and witch robes.

Superhero Costume Popularity

The 2025 Superman film starring David Corenswet has renewed interest in classic superhero costumes. Superman outfits span price ranges from basic cape-and-logo sets under $30 to complete muscle-chest jumpsuits with boot covers exceeding $70.

Marvel and DC characters maintain strong sales year after year. Spider-Man ranks as the most popular children’s costume, with 2.3 million kids expected to choose this character. Batman, various Avengers characters, and the Fantastic Four also generate consistent demand.

Kids’ superhero costumes typically cost $30 to $50 at specialty retailers, while adult versions range from $40 to $80. Licensed costumes from major studios command higher prices than generic superhero designs.

Classic Costume Options

Traditional Halloween characters never disappear from the market. Witches lead adult costume choices, with 5.6 million people expected to dress as witches this year. These costumes range from simple $20 dresses to elaborate $70+ ensembles with detailed accessories.

For children, classic options include princesses (1.9 million expected), witches (1.7 million), ghosts (1.6 million), and generic superheroes (1.5 million). These timeless choices often cost less than licensed character costumes.

Pirates, vampires, zombies, and cats remain consistent sellers across all age groups. Basic versions of these costumes start around $25, while premium options with quality materials and authentic details reach $60 or more.

Pet Costume Market Growth

Pet costumes represent a growing segment, with projected spending of $860 million in 2025. Half of Gen Z consumers planning to celebrate Halloween will purchase pet costumes, spending an average of $50 – more than double the national average.

Popular pet costume choices include pumpkins (9.8% of pet owners), hot dogs (5.4%), bumblebees (4%), ghosts (3.1%), and superheroes (3.1%). Pet costumes typically range from $15 to $40, depending on size and complexity.

Retailers have expanded pet costume offerings to match human costume trends. Matching sets allow pets to coordinate with their owners’ costumes, creating family-themed Halloween looks.

Early Shopping Trends

Nearly half of consumers (49% began their Halloween shopping in September or earlier), up from 47% in 2024. Early shopping helps spread costs over multiple months and ensures access to popular items before they sell out.

The 25-34 age group leads early shopping trends, with 56% starting before October. This demographic shows the highest Halloween enthusiasm, with 86% planning to celebrate and average spending of $124.43 per person.

Leading motivations for early shopping include anticipation for fall season (44%), Halloween being a favorite holiday (37%), avoiding sold-out items (33%), and reducing last-minute stress (33%).

Where Consumers Shop

Discount stores attract 42% of Halloween shoppers, a five-percentage-point increase from 2024. Consumers seeking budget-friendly options prioritize these retailers for better value across all Halloween categories.

Specialty Halloween and costume stores serve 31% of shoppers, offering extensive selections and themed shopping experiences. Online shopping also captures 31% of the market, providing convenience and broader product comparisons.

Spirit Halloween operates 1,525 locations in 2025, maintaining its position as the nation’s largest Halloween retailer. The chain hired 50,000 seasonal employees to staff these temporary stores, which typically operate from August through early November.

Money-Saving Strategies

Shopping secondhand can reduce costume costs by 60-80%. Thrift stores like Goodwill and Salvation Army stock Halloween costumes for $3 to $15. Online marketplaces including Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, and Poshmark offer additional secondhand options.

DIY costumes using existing clothing and household items eliminate purchase costs entirely. Many popular characters require only basic items – sports uniforms can become athlete costumes, dance recital outfits can transform into various characters, and simple accessories like hats or capes can complete looks.

Cash back apps provide additional savings on Halloween purchases at participating retailers. Ibotta offers cash back on in-store and online purchases, including costumes, candy, and decorations from major retailers. Users earn rebates by scanning receipts or shopping through the app. If you haven’t tried Ibotta yet, you can sign up with our Ibotta referral code and get up to $10 when you meet the requirements. 

TopCashback provides cash back when shopping online at Halloween retailers like Spirit Halloween, Target, and Walmart. The platform requires no coupons or codes – cash back applies automatically when shopping through their links. Don’t forget to sign up for TopCashback with a referral link to maximize your savings. 

Online Inspiration Sources

Online searches remain the top costume inspiration source at 37%, followed by browsing in retail stores (27%) and recommendations from friends and family (21%). Social media platforms including TikTok, Pinterest, and Instagram heavily influence younger consumers’ costume choices.

Gen Z particularly relies on social media for ideas. These platforms showcase trending characters, provide DIY tutorials, and demonstrate makeup techniques. Viral trends on TikTok can rapidly increase demand for specific costumes.

Retailer websites offer costume idea galleries organized by theme, character type, and group size. These curated collections help shoppers visualize complete looks and identify necessary accessories.

Group and Couples Costumes

Coordinated costumes for groups and couples represent growing trends. Popular duo options include classic pairs like peanut butter and jelly, ketchup and mustard, or licensed couples from movies and television shows.

Group costumes allow friends and families to create themed presentations. Options range from cartoon character ensembles to professional group costumes like medical teams or sports teams. Retailers offer pre-packaged group costume sets or individual pieces that coordinate.

Pricing for group costumes varies widely. Simple coordinated looks using basic clothing and minimal accessories can cost under $20 per person. Elaborate licensed group costumes may exceed $60 per person.

Quality Considerations

Costume quality directly impacts price and wearability. Budget costumes often use thin fabrics and basic construction, suitable for single-night wear but prone to tearing. Mid-range costumes incorporate better materials and stitching, allowing multiple uses.

Premium costumes feature screen-accurate details, durable fabrics, and professional-grade construction. These higher-priced options work well for costume collectors, cosplay enthusiasts, or those wanting reusable costumes for future events.

Sizing accuracy varies by manufacturer and price point. Higher-priced costumes generally offer more consistent sizing and better fit, while budget options may require adjustments or additions for proper appearance.

Accessories and Add-ons

Complete costume looks often require additional purchases beyond the base outfit. Wigs, makeup, props, and character-specific accessories add $10 to $50 to total costume costs.

Makeup and face paint kits range from $5 for basic options to $30 for professional-quality products. Wigs typically cost $15 to $40, depending on style complexity and hair length. Character-specific props like weapons, tools, or magical items add $10 to $25.

Shoes pose a common additional expense. Many costumes require specific footwear not included in the package. Shoppers often spend $20 to $50 on character-appropriate shoes or boot covers.

Planning for Next Year

Halloween costume planning benefits from year-round awareness. Noting trending movies, television shows, and cultural moments throughout the year helps predict next season’s popular choices.

Purchasing costumes immediately after Halloween at clearance prices provides maximum savings. Storage in climate-controlled spaces preserves costume quality for future use.

Tracking costume prices across multiple retailers identifies the best value. Price comparison tools and browser extensions can automate this process, alerting shoppers when specific costumes drop to target prices.