The Cost of Visiting America's 50 Best Halloween Towns
MoneyLion researchers have identified 50 Halloween towns across the United States where a family of four can enjoy a two-night hotel stay and keep the total vacation cost under $4,000.
The best Halloween towns offer visitors plenty of spooktacular attractions to engage in, like haunted houses or themed nights at theme parks, or are well-known seasonal spots such as Salem, Massachusetts, where famous historical events took place. Ideally, visits should make families shriek from the sights and sounds – not at a hefty credit card balance as part of the trip’s postmortem review.
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To calculate the average cost of a vacation for a family of four (two adults and two children) for two nights in America’s most popular Halloween locations, researchers applied the dates of Friday, Oct. 30, to Sunday. Nov. 1. A variety of sources, including Travel + Leisure, Country Living and Zillow were utilized to find the nation’s most popular Halloween towns. Key factors include the total cost for food and drinks (Numbeo’s mid-range meal price for two people were doubled to estimate the cost for four people), airfare (estimated using the average itinerary fare for the airport nearest each destination and multiplied by four) and hotels (selecting the three cheapest hotels within five miles of downtown and averaging their total prices for a two-night stay).
The 50 cities are ranked in order of their quality of life, via each location’s livability score sourced from AreaVibes.
Scroll down to see which spooky spots made the list of the best places to celebrate Halloween for a variety of reasons, from offering family-friendly pumpkin festivals and trick-or-treat nights to ghoulish haunted houses, mazes and film screenings tailor-made for horror enthusiasts.
Key Findings
Among the 50 Halloween towns on our list, these five rank highest for quality of life: Gilbert, Arizona (#1); Sandusky, Ohio (#2); St. Augustine, Florida (#3); Lehi, Utah (#4); and Keene, New Hampshire (#5).
There are five towns where families on a tight budget can keep vacation costs under $2,000. Lehi, known for hosting a popular Halloween Extravaganza festival, is the most affordable at $1,554 to cover a family of four. Other fab-boo-lously affordable options for a two-night stay can be found in Gilbert ($1,638); New Haven, Connecticut ($1,741); Toms River, New Jersey ($1,822); and Phoenix, Arizona ($1,832).
Salem, Massachusetts is the most expensive Halloween town to visit. As the well-publicized site of the Salem Witch Trials, a family of four can expect to spend $3,856 on a short stay in this spellbinding locale.
Which towns have the cheapest airfare and hotels? Airfare for four is estimated to be less than $1,000 total in five towns: Lehi ($703), New Haven ($662), Gilbert ($654), Phoenix ($654) and Toms River ($636). As for two-night stay hotel costs, the best deals are in Savannah, Georgia ($147), Billings, Montana ($139), Las Vegas ($133), Branson, Missouri ($119) and Orlando, Florida ($116).
Read on for the cost breakdown to visit America’s best Halloween towns, if you dare.
1. Gilbert, Arizona
A trip to Gilbert offers the whole family plenty of spooky fun, whether you’re swinging by Mother Nature’s Farm to explore the pumpkin patch or the Resurrection Cemetery haunted house, designed to look like a 1980s movie rental store and featuring scenes (all ages friendly) from your favorite scary movies.
Total cost for food: $690
Total cost for drinks: $115
Total cost for airfare: $654
Total cost for hotel: $179
Total cost for vacation necessities: $1,638
Livability score: 89
2. Sandusky, Ohio
The only thing better than Saturday is Spooky Season Saturdays. Sandusky hosts special Halloween-themed events all October long with many fun games and prizes and caps off the month with a downtown trick-or-treat event.
Total cost for food: $600
Total cost for drinks: $96
Total cost for airfare: $1,597
Total cost for hotel: $196
Total cost for vacation necessities: $2,488
Livability score: 87
3. St. Augustine, Florida
St. Augustine is famously known as America’s oldest city and has a rich supernatural history. Head out on a ghost tour (family-friendly options are available) in the evening and spend the day exploring local pumpkin patches.
Total cost for food: $720
Total cost for drinks: $96
Total cost for airfare: $1,836
Total cost for hotel: $470
Total cost for vacation necessities: $3,122
Livability score: 87
4. Lehi, Utah
The annual Halloween Extravaganza is always a good time in Lehi and pretty inexpensive to purchase tickets, too. 2026’s theme? Creatures of the Night.
Total cost for food: $545
Total cost for drinks: $76
Total cost for airfare: $703
Total cost for hotel: $230
Total cost for vacation necessities: $1,554
Livability score: 86
5. Keene, New Hampshire
Spend a gourd-geous day at the Keene Pumpkin Festival, a community-focused event so popular with locals there’s a countdown on the website counting down the days till it kicks off.
Total cost for food: $800
Total cost for drinks: $138
Total cost for airfare: $1,602
Total cost for hotel: $309
Total cost for vacation necessities: $2,849
Livability score: 86
6. Denton, Texas
There’s no bad day to plan your visit to Denton because the city celebrates 31 days of Halloween all month long.
This historic location is home to a haunted house, showcases local makers during its Halloween town market and has a local landmark – The Chairy Orchard – which gets the spooky season treatment as one of the wackiest sights you may experience, ever.
Total cost for food: $640
Total cost for drinks: $111
Total cost for airfare: $1,897
Total cost for hotel: $167
Total cost for vacation necessities: $2,815
Livability score: 85
7. Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Creepy coincidence? This year, the Portsmouth Halloween Parade will march for the 31st time on Oct. 31.
Besides the parade, families won’t want to miss Ghosts on the Banke for an adventure spent exploring Portsmouth’s oldest neighborhood and its many spooky spirits, like an otherworldly fortune teller, eerie pirates and plenty of ghost stories.
Total cost for food: $810
Total cost for drinks: $119
Total cost for airfare: $1,602
Total cost for hotel: $295
Total cost for vacation necessities: $2,826
Livability score: 85
8. Boise, Idaho
Fall Harvest Days beckon families to come visit at the Idaho Botanical Garden. This event occurs every Saturday in October and features a scarecrow stroll, food trucks, live music, artisan vendors and more.
On a tight vacation budget? It’s free to stroll down Harrison Boulevard and snap photos of their bone chilling, elaborate Halloween decorations.
Total cost for food: $680
Total cost for drinks: $119
Total cost for airfare: $1,680
Total cost for hotel: $187
Total cost for vacation necessities: $2,665
Livability score: 84
9. Fargo, North Dakota
Explore the sunflower maze and pumpkin patch all throughout October at Amazing Acres in Argusville (just a 20-minute drive away) and challenge your family to take on The Great Maze during their Haunted Night at the Maze events.
Total cost for food: $540
Total cost for drinks: $107
Total cost for airfare: $1,969
Total cost for hotel: $163
Total cost for vacation necessities: $2,778
Livability score: 84
10. Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Will you glimpse ghosts from the Civil War in Gettysburg? There are more than a few haunted trails and ghost walks, if you’re brave enough to go toe to toe with the supernatural.
Total cost for food: $700
Total cost for drinks: $109
Total cost for airfare: $1,810
Total cost for hotel: $267
Total cost for vacation necessities: $2,887
Livability score: 84
11. Des Moines, Iowa
See the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, or should we say BOOtanical Garden, comes to life like never before during their ongoing Eerie Evenings event.
And if this is too scary for small children, the Botanical Garden also hosts “Trick or Trees” so you can spend the day trick-or-treating, seeing shows, enjoying face painting and much more.
Total cost for food: $720
Total cost for drinks: $112
Total cost for airfare: $1,743
Total cost for hotel: $167
Total cost for vacation necessities: $2,742
Livability score: 83
12. Williamsburg, Virginia
Williamsburg quite literally comes alive during Halloween with all ages friendly activities like classic trick-or-treating, a candlelit walking tour of Colonial Williamsburg (AKA Haunted Williamsburg) and nighttime climbs at Go Ape Zipline and Adventure Park.
Total cost for food: $680
Total cost for drinks: $106
Total cost for airfare: $1,796
Total cost for hotel: $165
Total cost for vacation necessities: $2,747
Livability score: 83
13. Omaha, Nebraska
Where else but Omaha can you climb aboard Ollie the Trolley and head out on a creeptastic haunted cemetery tour?
Other spooky fun can be had at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium’s Zootacular and festive exhibits, like the Cobweb Castle, at the Omaha Children’s Museum.
Total cost for food: $704
Total cost for drinks: $109
Total cost for airfare: $1,877
Total cost for hotel: $180
Total cost for vacation necessities: $2,870
Livability score: 83
14. Las Vegas
There are tons of family movie nights, festivals, carnivals and trick-or-treating events worth discovering in Las Vegas.
Best of all, several are free to the public like the annual fall festival and Halloween safe night (for safely trick-or-treating and partaking in ghoulish games).
Total cost for food: $900
Total cost for drinks: $167
Total cost for airfare: $1,302
Total cost for hotel: $133
Total cost for vacation necessities: $2,502
Livability score: 82
15. Providence, Rhode Island
Spend your spooky season vacation snacking on tasty fall bites, learning about the city’s haunted history on a Providence Ghost Tour and taking in the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular at Roger Williams Park Zoo.
Total cost for food: $744
Total cost for drinks: $110
Total cost for airfare: $1,445
Total cost for hotel: $281
Total cost for vacation necessities: $2,579
Livability score: 82
16. Astoria, Oregon
One of Astroria’s longest-held Halloween traditions is its annual Downtown Trick-or-Treat event. Residents and businesses alike go all out to celebrate with freebies for costumed characters. Plus, Liberty Theatre is on DJ duty blasting all your fave Halloween hits.
Total cost for food: $720
Total cost for drinks: $88
Total cost for airfare: $1,714
Total cost for hotel: $310
Total cost for vacation necessities: $2,832
Livability score: 82
17. Key West, Florida
While many of Key West’s Halloween events might be better suited to adults (like the Zombie Bike Ride), families will want to save the date for the children’s day event at Bayview Park. This fall-themed extravaganza is complete with a costume contest, arts and crafts, rides, games and more everyone can enjoy.
Total cost for food: $840
Total cost for drinks: $103
Total cost for airfare: $1,707
Total cost for hotel: $423
Total cost for vacation necessities: $3,074
Livability score: 82
18. Salem, Massachusetts
One of the most famous Halloween towns in America has a near-endless scroll of activities to enjoy like ghost tours and witch-themed events for guided learning about the Salem Witch Trials.
And if your favorite modern-day witches are the Sanderson Sisters from the hit Disney film “Hocus Pocus” you’re in luck. A tour does exist where you can view five filming locations for $50 a person. (Don’t wait to buy a ticket as these are known to sell out fast.)
Total cost for food: $900
Total cost for drinks: $124
Total cost for airfare: $1,679
Total cost for hotel: $1,153
Total cost for vacation necessities: $3,856
Livability score: 82
19. Toms River, New Jersey
October 31 is officially the witching hour for the Toms River annual Halloween parade! This annual event kicks off its 87th year downtown with plenty of tricks and treats in store for all ages.
Total cost for food: $700
Total cost for drinks: $102
Total cost for airfare: $636
Total cost for hotel: $384
Total cost for vacation necessities: $1,822
Livability score: 81
20. Orlando, Florida
Major theme parks and attractions are back to hosting their annual Halloween events, like Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights, SeaWorld’s Spooktacular and Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Walt Disney World.
Craving affordable fun? Check out the 17th Annual Dia de los Muertos and Monster Party at the CityArts gallery and Gators, Ghosts and Goblins at Gatorland for a kid-friendly haunted house and incredible live shows.
Total cost for food: $740
Total cost for drinks: $145
Total cost for airfare: $1,218
Total cost for hotel: $116
Total cost for vacation necessities: $2,219
Livability score: 81
21. Poulsbo, Washington
The Pouls-BOO Halloween Fundraiser kicks off on Oct. 31, and your family won’t want to miss it. This year’s itinerary includes a costume contest for kids and adults, ghost hunt, pumpkin decorating station, cake walk and more ghostly fun.
Total cost for food: $630
Total cost for drinks: $85
Total cost for airfare: $1,656
Total cost for hotel: $268
Total cost for vacation necessities: $2,639
Livability score: 81
22. Savannah, Georgia
Not sure your family can brave a visit to one of Savannah’s legendary graveyards or haunted houses? That’s okay! There are plenty of historic spots to visit while having plenty of ghoulish fun, like spooky storytime at the Davenport House Museum, “Frogwarts” at the Georgia State Railroad Museum and Savannah Children’s Museum (for young wizards and witches).
Plus, there’s a Halloween Hike and more cool events at the Oatland Island Wildlife Center, just a 15-minute drive away in Chatham County.
Total cost for food: $640
Total cost for drinks: $114
Total cost for airfare: $1,798
Total cost for hotel: $147
Total cost for vacation necessities: $2,699
Livability score: 81
23. Miami
Chills and thrills await in Miami, where there’s no shortage of fun events at the Miami Botanical Garden (like the gnome and fairy adventure and little monster tales). The Miami-Dade County Fair and Expo Center transforms into a Halloween amusement park, complete with four haunted houses, and the annual Not So Scary Halloween Bash returns to the Miami Children’s Museum.
Total cost for food: $1,080
Total cost for drinks: $147
Total cost for airfare: $1,622
Total cost for hotel: $198
Total cost for vacation necessities: $3,047
Livability score: 81
24. Bangor, Maine
Trick-or-treat in downtown Bangor and boo-gie down at the annual family Halloween dance hosted by the Bangor Parks and Recreation. Wear your best costume for the chance to win big prizes!
Total cost for food: $600
Total cost for drinks: $106
Total cost for airfare: $1,473
Total cost for hotel: $189
Total cost for vacation necessities: $2,368
Livability score: 80
25. Tampa, Florida
Extra wiggle room in your budget means beelining it to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay for their many wicked events, like the Halloween Harvest.
Plenty of affordable, can’t miss outings also include the Riverwalk Trick-or-Treat at the Tampa Riverwalk, Spooktacular Science at the Museum of Science and Innovation (you can DIY your own slimy potion!) and Guppyween at The Florida Aquarium for young explorers seeking what lurks in underwater depths.
Total cost for food: $700
Total cost for drinks: $136
Total cost for airfare: $1,466
Total cost for hotel: $161
Total cost for vacation necessities: $2,463
Livability score: 80
26. Cincinnati
Cincy loves Halloween and the city goes all out with haunted houses, paranormal experiences and fall fun for everyone. Check out HallZOOween at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Center and swing by the Newport Aquarium to witness glowing undersea animals at the Underwater Pumpkin Glow.
And if you can muster up the courage, tiptoe into The Dent Schoolhouse to discover why this once-thriving school so abruptly closed its doors.
Total cost for food: $500
Total cost for drinks: $98
Total cost for airfare: $1,661
Total cost for hotel: $242
Total cost for vacation necessities: $2,501
Livability score: 80
27. St. Charles, Missouri
Every Saturday and Sunday in October, St. Charles presents its Legends and Lanterns festival. This free offering and allows families to go on a “spirited” journey through Halloween history, via character interactions, historical exhibits and eerie experiences on historic Main Street.
Total cost for food: $550
Total cost for drinks: $110
Total cost for airfare: $1,843
Total cost for hotel: $191
Total cost for vacation necessities: $2,694
Livability score: 80
28. Fort Worth, Texas
Boo at the Zoo is back at the Fort Worth Zoo for all eager boils and ghouls and in neighboring Arlington, you can swing by Six Flags Over Texas for their annual Fright Fest.
Total cost for food: $620
Total cost for drinks: $113
Total cost for airfare: $1,897
Total cost for hotel: $154
Total cost for vacation necessities: $2,783
Livability score: 80
29. Athens, Georgia
Which monstrous outing will you check out in Athens? Discover the stories behind the area’s most haunted buildings during the Athens Haunted History Walking Tour, head to the Boo-le-Bark for the canine costume contest and view the dark through a whole new light (pun intended) by registering for the “Journey through the Stars: Halloween Planetarium” exhibit at the Sandy Creek Nature Center.
Total cost for food: $505
Total cost for drinks: $126
Total cost for airfare: $1,905
Total cost for hotel: $272
Total cost for vacation necessities: $2,809
Livability score: 80
30. San Jose, California
San Jose is full of sunny days and spooky nights this October.
Families won’t want to miss out on dressing up for Santana Row’s Trick-or-Treat The Row or attending the California Theatre for their Symphonic Spooktacular. Tons of fall flavors are available to feast upon at local spots like FolaFela and Luna Mexican Kitchen and you can snag free pumpkins downtown at Pumpkins in the Park.
Total cost for food: $860
Total cost for drinks: $147
Total cost for airfare: $1,562
Total cost for hotel: $193
Total cost for vacation necessities: $2,762
Livability score: 79
31. Dearborn, Michigan
Hallowe’en in Greenfield Village is a must whenever visiting Dearborn.
Gaze in awe at more than 1,000 intricate Jack-o’-lanterns, the haunting lighting and live performances by more than 50 costumed characters. Fall food, live music and more mysterious moments await.
Total cost for food: $590
Total cost for drinks: $110
Total cost for airfare: $2,068
Total cost for hotel: $177
Total cost for vacation necessities: $2,945
Livability score: 79
32. St. Charles, Illinois
Venture safely out into the night by going on the Gallery of Ghoulish Homes tour. All you need is your car and family to drive by the most frightfully decorated homes and yards in the area and admire their fine haunting handiwork.
Total cost for food: $1,150
Total cost for drinks: $136
Total cost for airfare: $1,687
Total cost for hotel: $179
Total cost for vacation necessities: $3,151
Livability score: 79
33. Rutland, Vermont
Head to downtown Rutland for all things that go bump in the night. Find the many witches hiding out in the district’s stores and boutiques in the Where’s The Witch? Scavenger Hunt.
And while you’re there, keep your eyes peeled for the many storefronts participating in the Halloween Window Display Contest. The winners will be showcased at the end of the month.
Total cost for food: $800
Total cost for drinks: $110
Total cost for airfare: $2,148
Total cost for hotel: $257
Total cost for vacation necessities: $3,315
Livability score: 79
34. New Haven, Connecticut
All ages are welcome to join the New Haven Ghost Walk to learn more about the legendary folklore and mysterious sightings of the strange and unusual.
Total cost for food: $700
Total cost for drinks: $100
Total cost for airfare: $662
Total cost for hotel: $278
Total cost for vacation necessities: $1,741
Livability score: 78
35. Newport, Rhode Island
How will your family celebrate Halloween in Newport? You might trick-or-treat at George Hail Free Library, head out on a haunted haywagon tour, go on a Olde Town Ghost Walk (led by lanterns) or dabble in all of the above.
Total cost for food: $700
Total cost for drinks: $116
Total cost for airfare: $1,445
Total cost for hotel: $293
Total cost for vacation necessities: $2,553
Livability score: 78
36. Nashville, Tennessee
Music City has tons of pumpkin patches, corn mazes and festivals so everyone gets in on the frightful fun. Don’t miss the “Practical Magic” themed afternoon tea at the Blue Aster and a Monster Eyeball Scavenger Hunt at The Adventure Park (the eyeballs of their resident monsters are missing!).
Adventurous families will want to swing by, literally, to Glow in the Park: Halloween at The Adventure Park for a zipline outing like no other.
Total cost for food: $690
Total cost for drinks: $125
Total cost for airfare: $1,665
Total cost for hotel: $185
Total cost for vacation necessities: $2,666
Livability score: 78
37. Portland, Oregon
Portland’s unofficial slogan “Keep Portland Weird” lives up to its name during October.
There are plenty of traditional activities to take part of alongside many unusual ones like attending the Sellwood Monster March and the Oaks Park ScareGrounds which transforms into a bone chilling amusement park full of rides, haunted walk-through attractions and more.
Total cost for food: $860
Total cost for drinks: $124
Total cost for airfare: $1,714
Total cost for hotel: $175
Total cost for vacation necessities: $2,874
Livability score: 78
38. Kansas City, Missouri
If your kids are ages 16 and up, it’s worth going on a ghost tour through the John Wornall House Museum – infamous for its dark, haunting history.
Total cost for food: $820
Total cost for drinks: $131
Total cost for airfare: $1,910
Total cost for hotel: $168
Total cost for vacation necessities: $3,029
Livability score: 78
39. Honolulu
Many of Honolulu’s beloved institutions, like the Honolulu Zoo, Honolulu Museum of Art and the Children’s Discovery Center, are well-known for hosting Halloween-themed tours, costume balls and trick-or-treating days out. Admissions are free or very inexpensive depending on where you visit.
Total cost for food: $1,120
Total cost for drinks: $194
Total cost for airfare: $1,562
Total cost for hotel: $189
Total cost for vacation necessities: $3,064
Livability score: 78
40. Chicago
There’s no such thing as too much Halloween fun in Chicago.
Families can take the kiddos trick-or-treating at Navy Pier, witness impressive hand-carved pumpkins at Night of 1,000 Jack-o’-Lanterns at the Chicago Botanic Garden, spend the day soaking up the Fall Fest, or swinging by the Spooky Zoo, at the Lincoln Park Zoo and a whole lot more.
Total cost for food: $765
Total cost for drinks: $120
Total cost for airfare: $1,687
Total cost for hotel: $513
Total cost for vacation necessities: $3,085
Livability score: 78
41. Branson, Missouri
Halloween in Branson is full of pumpkin patches, haunted houses and festivals worth sightseeing at. To close October, Branson Parks & Recreation hosts an annual BOOnanza where there are trick-or-treat trails, scavenger hunts and more festivities underfoot.
Total cost for food: $640
Total cost for drinks: $68
Total cost for airfare: $1,980
Total cost for hotel: $119
Total cost for vacation necessities: $2,807
Livability score: 77
42. Baltimore
Creepy and spooky are all adjectives used to describe Baltimore, and the city takes its strange reputation seriously.
Go on guided ghost tours like the famous Original Fell’s Point Ghostwalk or create your own tour by venturing to local haunted spots like the Lord Baltimore Hotel and the Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine.
Total cost for food: $744
Total cost for drinks: $138
Total cost for airfare: $1,730
Total cost for hotel: $261
Total cost for vacation necessities: $2,874
Livability score: 77
43. Charleston, South Carolina
There’s a certain kind of magic in Charleston which comes out during October. This historic city is full of chilling sites to see, haunted houses, pumpkin patches and many more festivities unlike anywhere else.
For a taste of what Charleston has to offer, head to the Cypress Gardens’ Halloween in the Swamp event. Visitors go on a spooky swamp adventure complete with a boat ride.
Total cost for food: $930
Total cost for drinks: $122
Total cost for airfare: $1,616
Total cost for hotel: $287
Total cost for vacation necessities: $2,955
Livability score: 77
44. Billings, Montana
Only in Billings can you go on a Sleepy Hollow haunted wagon ride at ZooMontana and a haunted corn maze at The Maize at Grandpa’s Farm.
Total cost for food: $820
Total cost for drinks: $92
Total cost for airfare: $1,907
Total cost for hotel: $139
Total cost for vacation necessities: $2,958
Livability score: 77
45. Half Moon Bay, California
There’s something for everyone at Half Moon Bay’s Pumpkin Festival. This beloved autumn celebration features a popular pumpkin weigh-off, harvest-inspired crafts from 250 of America’s top artists and craft makers, festive food including a pancake breakfast, a costume contest, pie-eating contests and so much more.
Total cost for food: $640
Total cost for drinks: $147
Total cost for airfare: $1,908
Total cost for hotel: $466
Total cost for vacation necessities: $3,161
Livability score: 77
46. Anchorage, Alaska
Anchorage’s most popular family destinations transform just in time for Halloween.
Check out the Alaska BOOtanical Garden’s festive displays, hit the haunted trail at Goose Lake Park (ideal for kids ages nine and up), swing by the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center for an old-fashioned hayride, scavenger hunts and much more. You can even trick-or-treat at the Alaska Zoo during their Zoo Boo Trick-or-Treat Event.
Total cost for food: $850
Total cost for drinks: $143
Total cost for airfare: $2,215
Total cost for hotel: $439
Total cost for vacation necessities: $3,647
Livability score: 77
47. Phoenix
Celebrate spooky season all over Phoenix, including checking out the Phoenix Zoo’s three-night spooktacular trick-or-treating event (free face painting, creepy crafts and more await) and DTPHX Hallows' Eve at the Arizona Center full of family-friendly fun (and an incredible costume contest).
Total cost for food: $780
Total cost for drinks: $125
Total cost for airfare: $654
Total cost for hotel: $273
Total cost for vacation necessities: $1,832
Livability score: 76
48. Indianapolis
An enchanting Halloween awaits in Indianapolis. Don’t miss the Irvington Halloween festival, famous for its week-long events including but not limited to a vampire run, storytelling, ghost tours, Halloween-themed movies and a costume ball. Other immersive Halloween offerings include the Indianapolis Zoo’s annual transformation into the Halloween Zooboo and Connor Prairie’s corn mazes (featuring shorter and longer versions).
Speaking of Conner Prairie, the Headless Horseman is there this October and you can even go with him on a haunted hayride… if you dare.
Total cost for food: $718
Total cost for drinks: $128
Total cost for airfare: $1,790
Total cost for hotel: $412
Total cost for vacation necessities: $3,048
Livability score: 76
49. Chattanooga, Tennessee
Chattanooga? More like ChattaBOOga! Take the kiddos over to the Tennessee Aquarium to celebrate Oddtober, Chattanooga Zoo’s Boo in the Zoo event and head all aboard the Halloween Eerie Express at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum.
Total cost for food: $800
Total cost for drinks: $105
Total cost for airfare: $2,269
Total cost for hotel: $175
Total cost for vacation necessities: $3,350
Livability score: 76
50. Mansfield, Ohio
Your little ghouls and goblins can safely trick-or-treat during Mansfield’s two family-friendly celebrations: a truck or treat event and trick-or-treating in the Mansfield Borough.
Total cost for food: $560
Total cost for drinks: $85
Total cost for airfare: $1,846
Total cost for hotel: $191
Total cost for vacation necessities: $2,682
Livability score: 75
Methodology: For this study, MoneyLion analyzed the best Halloween towns across the United States to find the cost to visit for a family of four this Halloween. Using the dates of Friday October 30th to Sunday November 1st, the average cost of a vacation for a family of four was calculated for the most popular Halloween locations. The most popular Halloween towns across the United States were sourced from a variety of online sources including; travelandleisure.com, today.com, thetravel.com, zillow.com, countryliving.com, HGTV.com, goodhousekeeping.com, expedia.com, whimsysoul.com, myfamilytravels.com, fortune.com, and 303magazine.com. For each city several factors were sourced from the U.S. Census 2024 5-Year ACS including total population, population ages 16+, ages 18+, ages 21+, ages 65+, labor force participation for population ages 16+ and unemployment rate. The livability index was sourced from AreaVibes for each city and included as supplemental information to determine quality of life. This study assumes the vacation is two nights and includes a family with two parents and two children. The family purchases five inexpensive family meals and two mid-range family meals during the trip. Each inexpensive family meal includes food for four people. Numbeo’s mid-range meal price for two people was doubled to estimate the cost for four people. The drink estimate includes eight domestic beers for the two adults and 24 sodas for the family over the three-day trip. Using Hotels.com, the three cheapest hotels within five miles of downtown were selected. Their total prices, including taxes and fees for the two-night stay, were averaged to estimate lodging costs. Using the U.S. Department of Transportation's Q1 2026 Average Domestic Airline Itinerary Fares, the average itinerary fare for the airport nearest each destination was used to estimate airfare. Airports with fewer than 5,000 sampled domestic passengers were excluded, and the next closest qualifying airport was used. The airport's average domestic itinerary fare was multiplied by four to estimate airfare for a family of four. Airfare estimates represent average domestic itinerary fares associated with each airport and do not represent fares from a single common origin city. TravelMath.com's closest airport calculator was used to find the closest airport to each city. The average costs for airfare, a two-night hotel stay, food, and drinks were added together to estimate the total vacation cost for necessities for a family of four. All data is up to date as of September 24th, 2026.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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