Ah, pumpkin spice season—it’s like a national holiday for your taste buds. Every fall, North Dakotans can’t wait to wrap their hands around a toasty pumpkin spice latte or snack on something pumpkin-y. But while you’re basking in all things cozy and autumnal, your wallet might be sweating a little harder than you realize.

Turns out, the pumpkin spice lovefest comes with a price. Literally.

The "Pumpkin Spice Tax"—Yep, It’s a Thing

A recent study by LendingTree uncovered what they’ve cleverly dubbed the “pumpkin spice tax.” What does that mean? It’s the extra cash you’re shelling out just to enjoy that sweet, spicy goodness. On average, pumpkin-flavored products cost a wild 7.4% more than their non-pumpkin counterparts. Yikes!

But wait, it gets even spicier.

Photo by Mad Max
Photo by Mad Max
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Target Takes the Cake (Or the Trail Mix)

Speaking of Target, they’re the biggest pumpkin spice price offenders. That aforementioned trail mix? Yeah, it tops the charts with a 92.2% price hike compared to its non-pumpkin version. So much for a budget-friendly snack!

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But don't worry—Starbucks isn’t off the hook either. While their pumpkin spice latte isn’t the worst offender, their iced version does cost 25.2% more than a regular ol’ iced latte.

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Canva
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Why Are We Paying Extra for Fall Vibes?

So why are we throwing more money at anything with "pumpkin spice" on the label? According to LendingTree’s chief credit analyst, Matt Schulz, it’s all about comparison shopping. Basically, we’re paying more because we’re not doing the detective work to compare prices. But come on, who’s got time to sleuth when there’s a cozy fall treat calling your name?

Photo by Mad Max
Photo by Mad Max
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The Good News? This Year’s Pumpkin Tax is Actually Lower!

Here’s a tiny silver lining for your pumpkin-loving heart: this year’s pumpkin spice tax (7.4%) is actually the lowest it’s been in the history of the LendingTree study. Back in 2022, the pumpkin spice tax hit a staggering 14.1%. So technically, your pumpkin-flavored spending spree is a little more reasonable this year… kind of.

Photo by Mad Max
Photo by Mad Max
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So, Is Pumpkin Spice Worth the Price?

At the end of the day, North Dakotans may go gaga for pumpkin spice, but not everyone is on board with this fall trend. And the “pumpkin spice tax” is just another reason for me to be annoyed by pumpkin spice! If you want to see why it gets under my skin, check out my previous article about it.

 

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