The Best States for Trick-Or-Treating in 2026

What makes a great night of trick-or-treating? A solid costume and a generous candy haul certainly help. But where you live can shape the experience more than you might think.

From how easy it is to walk from house to house to the weather waiting outside, local conditions can turn Halloween night into a sweet success or make families ready to head home early. And when the evening means block after block on your feet, the right support can also help keep the fun going.

That’s why we set out to find the best states for trick-or-treating in 2026. We compared all 50 states across key factors tied to Halloween excitement, weather, and safety.

Which states have the most going for them after the sun goes down? Let’s dig in.

A Closer Look at the Top Trick-Or-Treating States

To find the best states for Halloween, we looked at five data points that capture both the fun and safety of trick-or-treating. Our analysis includes walkability, pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 people, the percentage of children in each state, typical Halloween weather, and Google search interest.

Together, these factors give us a fuller picture of which states create the strongest conditions for a safe, festive night of costumes, candy, and door-to-door fun.

1. Wisconsin

• Walkability Score: 62/100
• Pedestrian Death Rate: 0.72 per 100k people
• Youth Population: 21%
• Average Halloween Temperature: 58°F

Safety helps Wisconsin claim the top spot, with the second-lowest pedestrian death rate in the top 10. Strong search interest also points to plenty of Halloween enthusiasm across the state. Add in a solid Walk Score and crisp 58°F weather, and Wisconsin delivers a well-rounded setting for trick-or-treating.

2. Indiana

• Walkability Score: 38/100
• Pedestrian Death Rate: 1.23 per 100k people
• Youth Population: 23%
• Average Halloween Temperature: 62°F

Halloween enthusiasm runs high in Indiana, with one of the strongest Google search scores in the top 10. Nearly a quarter of residents are under 18, helping keep neighborhoods full of potential trick-or-treaters. Mild 62°F weather adds another point in Indiana’s favor.

3. Iowa

• Walkability Score: 45/100
• Pedestrian Death Rate: 0.90 per 100k people
• Youth Population: 23%
• Average Halloween Temperature: 60°F

Iowa earns its place near the top with a strong balance of safety, Halloween interest, and a sizable child population. Its pedestrian death rate is among the lowest in the top 10, while 23% of residents are under 18. Together, those factors create favorable conditions for a fun night of trick-or-treating.

4. Ohio

• Walkability Score: 41/100
• Pedestrian Death Rate: 1.24 per 100k people
• Youth Population: 22%
• Average Halloween Temperature: 60°F

Ohio leads the top 10 in trick-or-treating search interest, earning a perfect Google Trends score of 100. More than one in five residents are under 18, helping keep neighborhoods lively on Halloween night. Add in 60°F weather, and Ohio has plenty working in its favor.

5. Illinois

• Walkability Score: 77/100
• Pedestrian Death Rate: 1.93 per 100k people
• Youth Population: 21%
• Average Halloween Temperature: 59°F

A high Walk Score makes Illinois one of the easiest states in the top 10 to navigate on foot, which is a clear advantage for trick-or-treating. At the same time, its pedestrian death rate is the second highest on the list, underscoring the importance of extra awareness around traffic on Halloween night. Its 59°F average temperature gives families relatively mild weather as they make their rounds.

6. Utah

• Walkability Score: 59/100
• Pedestrian Death Rate: 1.16 per 100k people
• Youth Population: 27%
• Average Halloween Temperature: 53°F

Utah stands out for having the largest child population in the top 10, with 27% of residents under 18. Even though average Halloween temperatures are on the lower end at 53°F, plenty of young trick-or-treaters help keep the night energetic across the state.

7. Pennsylvania

• Walkability Score: 75/100
• Pedestrian Death Rate: 1.23 per 100k people
• Youth Population: 20%
• Average Halloween Temperature: 53°F

Strong walkability gives Pennsylvania an edge, with one of the highest Walk Scores in the top 10. Even though average Halloween temperatures dip to 53°F, the state’s pedestrian-friendly setup makes it easier to keep moving from house to house.

8. Minnesota

• Walkability Score: 71/100
• Pedestrian Death Rate: 0.70 per 100k people
• Youth Population: 22%
• Average Halloween Temperature: 53°F

Leading the top 10 in pedestrian safety, the state has the lowest pedestrian death rate on the list. A strong Walk Score adds to its appeal for families heading out on foot. The 53°F average may call for an extra layer under the costume, but Minnesota still checks plenty of boxes for a successful night.

9. Massachusetts

• Walkability Score: 83/100
• Pedestrian Death Rate: 1.06 per 100k people
• Youth Population: 19%
• Average Halloween Temperature: 58°F

Massachusetts leads the top 10 in walkability, earning the highest Walk Score on the list. That gives trick-or-treaters a strong setup for moving from house to house without as much reliance on a car. Mild 58°F weather makes the evening even more inviting.

10. Texas

• Walkability Score: 41/100
• Pedestrian Death Rate: 2.21 per 100k people
• Youth Population: 25%
• Average Halloween Temperature: 83°F

Texas brings two big standouts to the top 10: a large child population and seriously warm Halloween weather. One in four residents is under 18, the second-highest share on the list, while temperatures average an astounding 83°F. However, a lower Walk Score and the highest pedestrian death rate in the top 10 mean families should take extra care around roads and traffic.

Comparing 2026 to 2025

This year’s rankings show plenty of staying power, with eight of last year’s top 10 states holding onto a spot in 2026. Wisconsin made the biggest move at the top, climbing from #3 to #1, while Iowa jumped from #7 to #3.

The top 10 also welcomed two newcomers: Massachusetts and Texas. They replaced New Hampshire and Michigan, which dropped out of the rankings this year, adding a little shake-up to an otherwise consistent group.

Trick-Or-Treating Across America: The Full 50-State Ranking

The top 10 may get the spotlight, but there’s plenty more to explore across the country. One trend is hard to miss: the Midwest had a particularly strong year, with six states from the region landing in the top 10.

To see how the rest of the country stacks up, we ranked all 50 states using the same mix of factors. Check out the full list of the best states for Halloween to see where your state lands.

Trick-Or-Treating Safety Tips for Families and Drivers

A little planning can go a long way toward making Halloween night safer and more enjoyable. Along with dressing for the weather and choosing supportive shoes for all that walking, keep these tips from the National Safety Council in mind before heading out:

• Keep younger children with a responsible adult while trick-or-treating.
• If older kids are going without an adult, talk through their route beforehand and set a clear time for them to be home.
• Drivers should stay especially alert around dusk and after dark, slowing down near driveways, alleys, curbs, and other areas where children may be harder to see.
• Encourage kids to stick to familiar, well-lit areas and stay together with their group.
• Wait until you’re home to sample the candy, and check treats for any food allergy concerns before digging in.

Methodology and Sources

Methodology

To find this year's top states for trick-or-treating, we analyzed five key factors and built a scoring system out of 100 possible points. Each factor was weighted equally at 20 points.

Walkability: Based on each state’s Walk Score. Higher scores indicate denser, more pedestrian-friendly environments that improve trick-or-treating conditions.

Google Search Interest in Halloween: Google Trends values (0–100 per state) were used as a proxy for Halloween enthusiasm in 2026, covering searches for “trick-or-treating.” States with higher search intensity scored better.

Child Population: Calculated as the percentage of each state’s population under 18. A larger share of children reflects a stronger demand for trick-or-treating.

Pedestrian Safety: Measured by pedestrian fatality rates per 100,000 people. States with lower rates earned higher scores, reflecting safer walking environments for families.

Average Halloween Temperature: Determined using the average October 31 high temperature for each state’s capital. States with warmer averages scored higher.

Sources

• AccuWeather
• City and Neighborhood Walkability Rankings. Walk Score (2026)
• Google Trends Data (October 30–October 31, 2025)
• Pedestrian Traffic Fatalities by State: 2025 Preliminary Data. Governors Highway Safety Association (July 2026).
• Simple Steps for an Extra Safe Halloween. National Safety Council (2026)
• State Population by Characteristics: 2020-2025. U.S. Census Bureau (June 2026)

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