Pennsylvania Halloween Decoration Costs Rank High

Residents face electricity expenses for holiday displays that sit well above the national average.

Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Inflation

Isometric editorial illustration of a ceramic jack-o'-lantern on a porch railing, representing high seasonal energy costs in Pennsylvania. — Pennsylvania residents are paying 27% more than the national average to power Halloween displays, according to new energy consumption data. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Are you planning to reduce your holiday decorating this year due to higher electricity costs?

Pennsylvania ranks as the 13th most expensive state for powering Halloween decorations this October. Residents are paying an average of $8.38 to light up their displays, a cost that sits 27% higher than the national average.

Why it matters

Rising energy costs are increasingly influencing consumer holiday spending habits across the state. These elevated utility expenses are leading many residents to reconsider the scale of their festive light displays.

Pennsylvania residents face a residential electricity rate of 20.5 cents per kilowatt-hour, contributing to an average October electric bill of $133. This places the state 15th highest nationally for overall electric utility costs.

The details

Using three strands of LED lights costs only 38 cents to operate for the month, while comparable incandescent strands cost $3. Due to these price pressures, 37% of Americans have reduced their decorations, while 48% believe the cost of celebrating has become excessive.

October 2026: Halloween decoration electricity usage and costs.

Macro View

This trend mirrors previous economic cycles where energy inflation forces households to scale back on non-essential seasonal activities. It marks a departure from periods of lower electricity volatility, reflecting current upward pressure on residential utility pricing.

Pennsylvania families may see an impact on their monthly household budgets if they rely on high-consumption incandescent light displays. Switching to LED strands can offer immediate cost savings on October utility bills.

The takeaway

Consumers can significantly reduce their holiday utility expenses by prioritizing energy-efficient lighting options. Evaluating the efficiency of older light strands can help keep festive displays affordable despite higher state electricity rates.