The best US cities for Halloween 2025, data suggests

WalletHub is out with a new report showcasing the best cities to spend Halloween. 

By the numbers:

Researchers said this year, the average U.S. household is projected to spend about $114.45 on Halloween festivities, covering everything from decorations and candy to costumes. 

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Altogether, that adds up to roughly $13.1 billion spent by the 73% of households that celebrate. 

Methodology:

To identify the best cities for Halloween, WalletHub analyzed 100 of the most populated U.S. cities across three main categories: Trick-or-Treater Friendliness, Halloween Fun, and Halloween Weather.

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Each category was evaluated using 20 key metrics, listed below with their respective weights. Every metric was scored on a 100-point scale, with 100 representing the most favorable conditions for celebrating Halloween. For metrics marked with an asterisk (*), population size was adjusted using the square root of the population to prevent small differences between cities from having an outsized effect.

Finally, researchers calculated a weighted average score for each city across all metrics to determine its overall ranking.

What they're saying:

"Halloween holds a big place in American popular culture, and we collectively spend billions of dollars celebrating every year," Chip Lupo, WalletHub analyst, said in an online statement. "At the same time, it’s also a holiday that comes with a certain amount of risk, given that children visit strangers’ houses in the dark. The best cities for Halloween are those that provide the safest conditions for celebrating, along with an abundance of activities, Halloween-related stores and good weather."

In-depth look at the best cities for Halloween

Dig deeper:

New York 

New York City tops the list as the best place to celebrate Halloween. It ranks second in the number of Halloween costume shops and first in candy stores per capita. Residents also lead the nation in Google searches for "Halloween parties" and related terms, showing just how festive the city gets this time of year.

With the highest population density in the U.S. and the second-highest walkability score, New York makes it easy to trick-or-treat and fill your candy bag fast. The city also offers no shortage of other Halloween fun, ranking second in movie theaters per capita and 16th in haunted houses, plus boasting numerous amusement parks.

Jersey City, N.J.

Coming in second is Jersey City, NJ, thanks to its high population density and third-best walkability score—a perfect combination for trick-or-treating.

Safety also plays a big role in its ranking. Jersey City has the 15th-lowest violent crime rate, fifth-lowest property crime rate, and 10th-lowest pedestrian fatality rate in the U.S., making it one of the safest places to enjoy Halloween night.

For movie lovers, Jersey City ranks high in movie theaters per capita, offering plenty of opportunities to celebrate the season with a scary film.

Los Angeles

Los Angeles rounds out the top three Halloween destinations. The city shines with a large number of pumpkin patches and Halloween party supply stores per capita, along with the seventh-most costume shops and 10th-most candy stores—making it a one-stop shop for all your Halloween essentials.

L.A. also provides great trick-or-treating options, boasting the 14th-highest population density and 11th-highest walkability score in the country.

For those who prefer thrills over candy, Los Angeles offers plenty of entertainment. It ranks 10th in amusement parks, first in movie theaters per capita, and sixth in haunted houses, giving both teens and adults endless ways to celebrate the spooky season.