The top cities in the U.S. for celebrating Halloween and the spooky season have been identified, with one popular spot claiming the top position.
WalletHub analyzed 100 of the most populated U.S. cities, comparing them in three categories: trick-or-treater friendliness, Halloween fun, and Halloween weather.
Within these categories, WalletHub considered factors like population density, walkability, crime rate, the number of Halloween costume stores per capita, Halloween party supply stores per capita, haunted houses per capita, pumpkin patches per capita, predicted Halloween precipitation, and more.
Data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Department of Transportation, and other sources helped analysts rank the top cities for celebrating this spooky holiday.
WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo emphasized the importance of Halloween for Americans, noting that many go all out for the holiday. Halloween holds a big place in American popular culture, and we collectively spend billions of dollars celebrating every year, he said. At the same time, it’s also a holiday that comes with a certain amount of risk, given that children visit strangers’ houses in the dark, he added, stressing the need for caution when trick-or-treating in some cities.
Below is the countdown of U.S. cities that topped the list for the best places to celebrate Halloween this year:
10. Gilbert, Arizona
9. Boston
8. Anaheim, California
7. Washington, D.C.
6. Los Angeles
5. Chicago
4. Las Vegas
3. Miami
2. Jersey City, New Jersey
1. New York City
WalletHub named New York City as the best spot to celebrate Halloween for several reasons. The bustling Northeast city boasts the second-highest number of Halloween costume shops and the most candy stores per capita, according to WalletHub. With the highest population density in the country and ranking as the third-most walkable city, New York City earned its top spot.
Jersey City and Miami secured second and third places, respectively, for their walkability and other factors. Jersey City has the ninth-lowest violent crime rate and a high number of movie theaters per capita, perfect for a spooky cinema experience. Miami, on the other hand, features an impressive number of pumpkin patches and party supply stores per capita and ranks 13th for the most bars and clubs per capita.
The best cities for Halloween are those that provide the safest conditions for celebrating, along with an abundance of activities, Halloween-related stores, and good weather, Lupo said in a press release.