I went Halloween shopping at Walmart and Target. Walmart's smaller seasonal section won me over with lower prices.

Talia LakritzOct 13, 2022, 19:07 IST

Halloween at Walmart.Talia Lakritz/Insider

I went shopping at Target and Walmart stores in New Jersey to compare their Halloween sections.
Walmart's Halloween section was smaller than Target's, but most of its prices were lower.

My first stop for Halloween shopping was a Walmart store in Garfield, New Jersey.

Walmart.Talia Lakritz/Insider

I immediately spotted large bins of pumpkins out front, which seemed promising.

Decorative gourds for sale at Walmart.Talia Lakritz/Insider

Upon walking inside, I was greeted with an assortment of spooky cookies and cupcakes.

Halloween-themed cookies and cupcakes at Walmart.Talia Lakritz/Insider

It took a few minutes of wandering through the store for me to find the aisles dedicated exclusively to Halloween.

Walmart's Halloween section.Talia Lakritz/Insider

There, I found a pumpkin carving kit with all of the necessary tools to create a jack-o'-lantern.

A pumpkin carving tool kit at Walmart.Talia Lakritz/Insider

A variety pack of 125 mini candy bars cost $10.98 at Walmart — around 8.8 cents per piece of candy.

Halloween candy for sale at Walmart.Talia Lakritz/Insider

I was also impressed by the wide selection of baking supplies.

Halloween sprinkles.Talia Lakritz/Insider

I found everything I'd need to throw a Halloween party, including spooky table settings and jack-o'-lantern garlands.

Halloween party supplies at Walmart.Talia Lakritz/Insider

Walmart also stocked decorative Halloween wreaths and centerpieces.

Halloween decor at Walmart.Talia Lakritz/Insider

What I found most impressive about Walmart's Halloween section was its wide array of costumes.

Halloween costumes at Walmart.Talia Lakritz/Insider

I've never seen so much costume makeup and hair dye in one place.

Halloween makeup at Walmart.Talia Lakritz/Insider

Most of the costumes Walmart stocked were for children, but there were also some adult and group costumes.

Halloween costumes at Walmart.Talia Lakritz/Insider

I was surprised to find that the Christmas section was already bigger than the Halloween area, even though I visited in the first week of October.

The Christmas section at Walmart.Talia Lakritz/Insider

Next, I went to Target in the nearby town of Clifton, New Jersey.

Target.Talia Lakritz/Insider

Pumpkin and fall-themed treats were on display at the store's entrance.

Fall items at Target.Talia Lakritz/Insider

Target's Halloween cookies ranged from $3.99 to $4.99 — more expensive than Walmart's.

Halloween baked goods for sale at Target.Talia Lakritz/Insider

I also came across a bin of pumpkins in the store's grocery section.

Pumpkins at Target.Talia Lakritz/Insider

Though the Halloween section was towards the back of the store, it was easy to spot.

Target's Halloween section.Talia Lakritz/Insider

Target's Halloween section was much bigger than the Walmart's I visited, spanning eight aisles.

The Halloween section at Target.Talia Lakritz/Insider

Target's variety packs of candy were slightly more expensive than Walmart — 135 mini candy bars cost $14.99.

Halloween candy at Target.Talia Lakritz/Insider

Like Walmart, Target also sold a pumpkin carving tool set.

A pumpkin carving tool kit at Target.Talia Lakritz/Insider

Target didn't have as much Halloween makeup as Walmart did, but it had all of the basics.

Halloween makeup at Target.Talia Lakritz/Insider

Same with the costumes. Target had a good selection, but not as many as I saw at Walmart.

Halloween costumes at Target.Talia Lakritz/Insider

Target did have more Halloween party supplies, though they were a bit more expensive than the items I saw at Walmart.

Halloween party supplies at Target.Talia Lakritz/Insider

I loved that Target stocked a line of housewares for Día de Muertos (The Day of the Dead) created by Mexican illustrator Flavia Zoriilla Drago.

Día de Muertos decor at Target.Talia Lakritz/Insider

Overall, I preferred Walmart's lower prices and larger selections of costume and baking supplies, but I liked Target's Halloween decor better.