Buying Halloween candy in 2026 can put a surprising dent in your grocery budget, especially if your neighborhood attracts hundreds of trick-or-treaters. Chocolate favorites are still popular, but filling a candy bowl with miniature Snickers, Reese’s, and Kit Kat bars isn’t necessarily the most affordable option. Fortunately, shoppers have several less expensive alternatives that can stretch their Halloween budgets considerably further.
According to the National Retail Federation, Americans are expected to spend $4.1 billion on Halloween candy in 2026, with 96% of Halloween shoppers planning to purchase sweets. But which type of candy actually gives you the most treats for your money? We compared advertised October 2026 prices for several popular candy categories, and the results show that mini lollipops and large mixed-candy assortments can cost just 3 to 4 cents per piece, considerably less than many chocolate varieties.
