Inflation is wreaking havoc on Americans’ budgets in several areas, but the sky-high cost of candy this Halloween is downright scary.
A report from Datasembly released earlier this month shows the price of candy and gum has soared 12.8% over the past year — nearly twice the amount of other groceries, which rose 6.7%.
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While candy costs are up nationwide, the price hikes vary by state, according to the data. On the low end, candy prices in Alaska rose 7.1% over the past year, but the Northeast was hit particularly hard, with Vermont’s candy and gum prices surging by 14.7%.
Although stocking up for trick-or-treaters will be a pricier endeavor this year, candy inflation is actually lower than in 2022, when the average nationwide price for candy and gum jumped by 19.9%.
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The latest Labor Department data shows the consumer price index — a broad measure of the price for everyday goods, including gasoline groceries and rents — rose 3.7% in September from the same time last year.
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Last month, the cost of groceries rose for the sixth straight month, and was up 2.4% compared to the same time last year.
FOX Business’ Megan Henney contributed to this report.