Halloween Spending Reaches $13.5 Billion as Campus Budgets Hold Steady

Halloween shopping in the United States is projected to reach $13.5 billion this year.

The National Retail Federation estimates that the average American will spend $115.14 on costumes and related items. At the University of Wisconsin-Madison, students are setting a personal spending limit of $100 for the upcoming holiday. This figure is slightly below the national average, reflecting a desire to balance social expectations with financial constraints.

Three students interviewed by The Daily Cardinal, including senior Hadley Wendorff and juniors Lily Myhra and Matteo Rovera, stated they do not intend to exceed that $100 cap. Myhra, who shops on Depop, estimates her total expenditure will fall between $50 and $100. Rovera noted that social pressure drives higher spending, explaining that he usually wears one costume but has purchased three this year because of his friends. Wendorff added that the campus culture encourages elaborate outfits for the entire weekend, not just a single night.

The environmental impact of this consumption is substantial. Fashion production accounts for 10% of global carbon emissions, and 85% of textiles end up in landfills annually. Students often rely on fast-fashion retailers like Shein, Amazon, and Spirit Halloween, which prioritize low prices and quick shipping. These business models contribute to a cycle of rapid production and disposal that strains local waterways and global waste systems.

To mitigate these costs and environmental effects, students are adopting specific strategies. Many search thrift stores, online resale platforms like Vinted and Depop, and Facebook Marketplace for secondhand options. Others borrow items from friends or repurpose clothing from their own closets. The goal is to purchase pieces that can be worn again in the future, rather than buying single-use costumes that will be discarded after one night.