Sour Patch Tops the New York Candy List Again in 2026

...the same top pick from the past few years. I guess we're creatures of habits and we like what we like. Though New York overall is staying consistent with it comes to Halloween candy champions, there was a bit of a shakeup nationally this year.

a red bowl filled with lots of candy — Photo by Douglas Clark on Unsplash

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Sweet and Sour Candy Tie For Most State Wins

National sales data for 2026 has brought interesting information to the table when it comes to prepping for Halloween this year. Sour Patch Kids and M&Ms have tied nationally for the most state wins overall in 2026, this according to yahoo! finance. Though M&M's remain America's top Halloween candy overall, they have another contender climbing the ranks.

Sour Patch Kids has climbed to No. 2 nationally, with each brand taking the top spot in 10 states, according to the analysis.

State Candy Switch

CandyStore.com, in their report for 2026, indicated that compared to 2024, 12 states have a different top Halloween candy preference this year.

Seven of those states switched from a chocolate favorite to one without. None moved in the opposite direction, it said.

New York remains consistently sour in preferences, with Sour Patch Kids taking the top spot again in 2026. Data dating back to at least 2018 shows that New Yorkers have leaned sour for quite some time. Other notable fan-favorites in NY include Kit Kat, and even Kinder Bueno

kitkat chocolate pack on black textile — Photo by Justin on Unsplash

Halloween Candy Cost in 2026

Candy and gum prices have risen 54% since August of 2019 according to data provided by US Food Price Monitor, but even looking back at last year, candy and gum prices are 7.7% higher this year.

assorted chocolate bar on red shelf — Photo by Sebbi Strauch on Unsplash

General grocery costs, nor the current cost of candy seems to be impacting plans for Halloween 2026, though. The National Retail Federation reported that consumers are expected to spend an estimated $4.1 billion on sweet treats for trick-or-treaters this year, with roughly '96% of Halloween shoppers' planning to buy candy this year.

Are you giving out candy, and if so, will you keep NY's preference for Sour Patch Kids in mind during your next trip to the grocery store?

10 Halloween Candy Favorites - How Far Would You Have to Walk To Burn Those Calories?

There is a reason why we are supposed to walk when we go trick-or-treating on Halloween night. We're supposed to burn those calories. But since most of us will consume a bag of candy, or two, before the night we're supposed to wait for, we thought it might be handy to know just how much effort it's going to take to offset the caloric intake of each tasty morsel.

Gallery Credit: Bruce Mikells

LET'S GO: 18 Old-School Halloween Things That Would Never Fly Today

No parents, no curfew, just a plastic mask you couldn’t breathe through and a pillowcase full of candy from total strangers. How many of these did you do?

Gallery Credit: Stephen Lenz