Costco Outshines Competitors for Halloween Candy and Treats in 2025

I love Halloween. The chill in the air, porch lights, wonderful costumes. When my kids were little, we planned our route for weeks before the night. Now my kids are older, the night is quieter, but it’s still one of my favorite times of the year. 

Halloween has become all about making kids smile with the candy and treats we’re handing out. So, as a mom and a business owner with a finance background, I check unit price first. For most Halloween candy and party treats, Costco comes out lower per piece than other big-box stores. 

It’s simple, the bigger packs cut the cost. Kirkland mixes add value. Full size bar assortments often beat rivals on the per-bar number. Individually wrapped pretzel and snack packs come out cheaper per packet. Even s’mores kits are better value when buying by weight.

Where Costco Usually Beats Walmart

• Bigger packs result in lower costs per piece. Costco’s bulk boxes and bags bring the price per candy item down. 
• The big mixed boxes at Costco are often a better per-bar deal than similar boxes at Walmart.
• Think pretzel packs, mini cookies, and chips, especially Costco’s school-safe, individually wrapped options. These are really easy to hand out and cheaper per packet.
• When you compare what you get inside the box, Costco’s campfire and s’mores kits often deliver more for less. They’re actually fantastic value. 
• Kirkland Signature candy mixes offer more pieces for less than big name-brands available elsewhere. 

In a head-to-head, Costco wins across the basics that matter at Halloween. Bigger bags and boxes drop overall unit prices. The full-size bar assortments usually come out ahead on a per-bar basis too, which helps if your street is like ours, and packed with youngsters trick and treating. 

For parties and school events, Costco’s variety packs are set up for easy sharing. Individually wrapped pretzels, mini cookies, and chips come in large counts, so the per-packet cost is lower. The fall and s’mores kits also stretch budgets further, which is great. 

On a personal note, I always look at unit price first, but that’s the finance training in me. When my kids were younger, we went big on the porch bowl and a backup bin by the door. Now that they are older, I still stock up at Costco, it keeps the season fun without going over the top on spending. 

When Walmart Can Make Sense

• Walmart makes sense in smaller households or when less candy and treats are needed. 
• Walmart often has a wider mix of brands in small sizes, good for a quick top-up.

I still love Walmart, and can be the right destination if you don’t need a huge amount to cover all trick-and-treaters. Smaller bags keep the spend down and cut waste for light-traffic streets or small households. 

I use Walmart when my teens ask for a brand Costco does not have. I might have to pay a little more for items from Walmart, but it’s an easy way to keep everyone happy. 

Maximizing Your Halloween Candy Shopping

• Always check the price per piece. Divide the total price by the number of pieces. A lower price per item is always better.
• If the big box or bag is more than you need, consider sharing the price with a neighbor or friend to cut waste and cost.
• Consider planning what to do with leftovers and look out for coupons. Warehouse promos can push the per-piece cost even lower.

I treat buying Halloween candy like a simple cost exercise. I let the price per piece determine what I pick up. That one step keeps you from overpaying for cute packaging or tiny bags.

For me the bottom line is if you’re stocking up for lots of trick-or-treaters or a fall party, Costco is the best value. If you only need a few treats, Walmart can work. Prices and stock change by store and week, so always compare the per-piece number and buy what fits your home.