The Halloween tradition I look forward to most? It starts once the kids go to bed. That's when the parent candy tax kicks in. Before I know it, I’m knee-deep in empty Reese’s wrappers.
Turns out, I’m not alone. New data from Instacart proves I have good taste when it comes to raiding the candy stash.
The Candies Everyone’s Grabbing
No shocker here: Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are still America’s top Halloween candy. They’re followed closely by Peanut M&M’s, classic M&M’s, Kit Kat, and Snickers.
Basically, if it’s chocolate and bite-sized, it’s vanishing first.
But fruity candy lovers, don’t worry — Sour Patch Kids and HARIBO Goldbears held their own on the list too.
Who’s Got the Biggest Sweet Tooth?
👍🏼 If you live in Utah, congrats — you officially love candy more than the rest of us. Utah bought candy 50% more often than the national average in October. Wyoming, Oregon, Idaho, and Nebraska rounded out the top five.
👎🏼 Meanwhile, Hawaii, Florida, and California go lightest on the sweets. Maybe it’s easier to skip the sugar when you’re surrounded by sunshine instead of pumpkin spice everything.
How the numbers were compiled: Instacart analyzed candy sales by weight across the United States in October 2024. The map highlights the candy that showed the biggest difference between each state’s share of sales and the national average. Data from select retailers was excluded in certain states as required by law.
Candy Corn Chaos
Ah, Candy Corn ... the candy that divides households everywhere. Instacart says it still makes up 2 to 3% of all candy orders every October, so whether you love it or hate it, someone’s still buying it.
The biggest Candy Corn fans? Mississippi, Nebraska, and Kentucky.
The least Candy Corn enthusiastic? Hawaii, Washington, D.C., and Florida.
Halloween Starts Earlier Every Year
If it felt like your neighbors’ inflatables went up before Labor Day last year, you’re not imagining things. Instacart says Halloween décor sales started spiking the week of August 24 — earlier than ever.
Keep it up, and we’ll be hanging fake cobwebs before school supplies are even cleared out next year.
More Halloween Fun You’ll Love
Keep the spooky-silly vibes going:
- Want to Boo Your Neighbors? Printable + 9 Boo Basket Ideas Inside
- The Ultimate Guide to the Scariest Haunted Houses in Every U.S. State
- Guess The Halloween Movie: Emoji Edition!
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The Final Treat
Whether you’re team chocolate, team sour, or team “I’m just here for the candy corn fights,” Halloween is all about the sweet stuff. So stock up on your favorites, and remember: Calories from the candy tax don’t count. 😉
This story was written with a little help from ChatGPT — because even my brain needs a sugar break sometimes.
