Boo: Inflation means an hour of work buys fewer candy bars in 2026
People celebrating Halloween are likely facing higher prices, and their paychecks won't go as far as they used to for candy.
Inflation is causing an hour's worth of work to buy fewer candy bars in 2026, according to an analysis from S&P Global. The research firm found that an hour of work would translate to 15.8 candy bars this year, similar to the 15.6 in 2012. However, wages are not keeping up with rising prices, resulting in less purchasing power for workers.
Candy and chewing gum prices have risen faster than overall inflation, as well as prices for meats and apparel. One Halloween lover paid $200 for candy in 2024, but this year, the same amount costs $283, a 41% increase in candy prices alone. The spookiest day of the year is getting increasingly expensive at the grocery store due to outpacing general inflation of 3.7%.
An hour of work will earn the average worker 15.79 candy bars in 2026, compared to 17.46 in 2019. Despite the rising costs, consumers are defying their fears by using credit cards and saving less. For Halloween enthusiast Valerie Edwards, her Super Bowl has been threatened by inflation. Last year, she gave out around $200 worth of candy, but this year, the same amount cost $283.
She plans to continue providing Halloween treats for trick-or-treaters, even though it's "ridiculous" how much it has increased in cost. Another millennial, Hannah Masters, lives in a low-cost-of-living area but has noticed the cost of everything going up, including candy. She expects to have her usual 100 or 120 kids come by this year and is already stocking up on candy with the help of coupon sites.
Masters feels discouraged by the rising costs, as she loves Halloween and doesn't want people to stop participating due to financial constraints.
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