Consumer Behavior

Millennials, Gen Z are big Halloween spenders

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October 12, 2026

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When it comes to spending on Halloween Gen Z and millennials are predicted to outspend the $210 overall average despite consumer concerns about budgets and economic pressures.

That's a top finding from a CIT Bank survey, which polled more than 1,000 U.S. adults and was conducted by Researchscape International, according to a press release.

Thirty-eight percent of Americans plan to spend $300 or more on Halloween, compared with 19% for Thanksgiving and 11% for New Year's Eve or New Year's Day.

More than half (54%) plan to spend $200 or more, versus 39% for Thanksgiving and 23% for New Year's. Consumers expect to spend $210 for Halloween on average, with Gen Z and Millennials planning to spend $270 and $308, respectively.

"Halloween is one of the most exciting moments of the year, and Americans are going all in with costumes, decorations, haunted houses and weekend parties. They are also planning wisely, shopping early, and getting creative with DIY decorations and bulk candy," Jose Castro, head of CIT Bank, a division of First Citizens Bank, said in the release. "Setting money aside ahead of big moments like Halloween, ideally in a high-yield savings account like CIT Bank Platinum Savings, lets you enjoy every bit of the celebration while keeping your other financial goals on track."

Consumer Behavior