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10 Cities With the Most Halloween Costume Shops (Beyond Spirit Halloween)

Stopping by one of these cities is sure to help you get decked out for the Halloween season.

Clothing and wigs in store
Updated Oct. 21, 2024
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Halloween is just around the corner, and if you have yet to grab a costume, then now’s the time. But sourcing your Halloween outfits and accruements can be exhausting. Plus, who really wants to head into a Spirit Halloween store this close to the holiday?

The FinanceBuzz team did some research about the best places with spooky spirit, including where to find all the best costume shops. To do this, they compared over 75 of the biggest cities, employing factors like haunted landmarks, candy shops, and online search terms related to Halloween to determine the most spooky cities in the United States.

So, grab your favorite cash back credit card and head to one of the places on this list. These 10 cities have the most costume shops per 100,000 people to grab your witchy wares.

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10. Grand Rapids, Michigan: 7.6

SeanPavonePhoto/Adobe grand rapids michigan usa

Grand Rapids comes tenth place on FinanceBuzz’s list and has 7.6 costume shops for every 100,000 people. The city also hosts more Halloween-themed bar and pub crawls than you could imagine. The Kostume Room is one of the top-rated options for year-round accessories and to prep for Halloween events.

There are plenty of child-friendly, multi-day spooky options around town to show off your costume, including Zoo Goes Boo and the Pumpkin Prowl.

9. Providence, Rhode Island: 8.0

SeanPavonePhoto/Adobe providence rhode island

Providence is littered with gorgeous leaves and Halloween enthusiasts this time of year. If you love a themed party, stop by Everett Hoag Fine Art Hats and Costume Rentals. The shop is a top option in the area for renting unique ensembles and is one of the 8.0 costume shops per 100,000 people in the city.

When you aren’t marveling at the amber and orange foliage, dress up in your costume for the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular at Roger Williams Park or the Biggest Halloween Party, where you could win $500 for the best costume.

8. Cleveland, Ohio: 8.5

Francis/Adobe Cleveland Ohio during day time

Cleveland ranks eighth when it comes to costume shops. It’s the perfect time to amp up your outfit with a fun accessory or completely transform into another persona, so stop in at Starship Earth for last-minute options.

Get into the Halloween spirit with a Cleveland Ghosts tour, which highlights rock n’ roll legends. Head out for the Cleveland Official Halloween Bar Crawl, or choose from a variety of popular corn mazes throughout autumn.

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7. Miami, Florida: 9.0

be free/Adobe yacht sailing near the miami skyline on the waterfront

You can dress up in bright colors and incredible costumes every day in Miami if you want. The city boasts 9.0 costume shops for every 100,000 people, and spots like Crazy For Costumes/La Casa De Los Trucos and Beatnix are fun spots to visit no matter the time of year.

6. Atlanta, Georgia: 9.0

SeanPavonePhoto/Adobe busy Atlanta Georgia cityscape at midnight

Atlanta ties with Miami for the number of costume shops per 100,000 people. Find your last-minute costume options at the ever-popular Psycho Sisters, among a slew of other great stores. Then, take your look out to the Pumpkin Festival or Netherworld, one of the most intense haunted houses in America.

5. Oakland, California: 9.6

trekandphoto/Adobe Lake Merritt Park and downtown buildings and streets in Oakland California

Oakland comes in fifth place and has a history of hauntings that is well documented. With the Bay Area’s history of glitz and glamour, their new and used costume shops have some incredible finds.

A 90-minute walking tour around Fourth Street East will show you all of the haunted spots that Oakland has to offer, while events like the U.S.S. Hornet Annual Halloween Monsters Bash will let you truly dress to the nines.

4. Orlando, Florida: 10.9

SeanPavonePhoto/Adobe orlando florida skyline

There are 10.9 costume shops for every 100,000 people in Orlando, which is home to Disney aficionados and tourists, even during the Halloween season.

Head into Embellish FX or Ritzy Rags Wigs & More, among other storefronts, to piece together your look for the big day.

3. Salt Lake City, Utah: 13.4

Dansker Digital/Adobe Salt Lake City during day

Utah might not sound like the wildest place to spend Halloween, but Salt Lake City is the third-best spot to find your costume.

Take your outfit out to a host of events, including haunted house Nightmare on 13th or Grimm Ghost Tours, where you can get a taste of actual hauntings around the city.

2. Riverside, California: 19.8

jonbilous/Adobe twilight view of the city of Riverside

Riverside, California, has more costume shops than candy shops, which is hardly ever the case. Check out the Enchanted Attic, among other fantastic shops, for some top-notch rental options.

Show off your costume at events like the Fall Festival & Pumpkin Palooza at Hunt Park or Ghoul’s Night Out at Bryant Park on Halloween night.

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1. Fort Lauderdale, Florida: 21.7

SeanPavonePhoto/Adobe fort lauderdale, florida, usa skyline

Fort Lauderdale takes the top spot, with an astonishing 21.7 costume shops per 100,000 people. Florida made the top 10 list three times, and the city boasts shops like Crazy About Costumes, which offers tons of eccentric and spirited options for the Halloween season and beyond.

Bottom line

AnnaStills/Adobe Children playing pumpkin bag tricks

Keep more cash in your wallet by heading into a costume shop or local accessory store that can help you find quick, affordable items for your next event.

If you live close to one of these Halloween hubs, consider taking a quick trip over to stock up and enjoy the season.

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