Prom is usually called a “night to remember,” but in 2025, it may be more of a night that drains your wallet. From suit rentals, dresses, tickets, makeup or dinner, the price for prom has gotten pretty steep over the past couple of years. While the average cost for prom five years ago was $400-600, it has drastically leaped to the $900-1,000 that it costs today. The change in cost is partially because of inflation, but is also because of the increase in demand for high-quality prom dresses or suits.
Tuxedo rentals alone can cost anywhere from $160 to $200, with some high-end tuxedos and suits even costing almost $300. Prom dresses on the other hand can be even more expensive. The average price for a prom dress is $250-350, with high-end dresses costing an astounding $700. Add a dinner reservation, makeup, accessories, and maybe even a car or limo rental, and suddenly you’ve already spent close to a thousand dollars.
Still, students are finding ways to make it work. Apps like Depop, Poshmark, or Vinted are making shopping for second-hand clothing so much easier and more efficient. Along with these resources, FVHS has their own “prom closet” which is run by the WHOA that aids students who may not have the hundreds of dollars it costs to buy a dress.
“I spent around $1,100 this year on prom,” said junior Adrienne Getz.
When asked how much of that cost was spent on her dress, Getz said, “The dress was around $600. I spent probably another $500 or $600 on makeup, dinner, and all that stuff.”
Getz, along with others, is spending upwards of $1,000 this year on all the prom necessities. While the dress/suit is usually the most expensive item, Getz shows how makeup, dinner, and other various accessories can add up as well.
At the end of the day, prom can get pretty pricey. But with a little creativity and some good planning, it’s still possible to have a really good time without going completely broke.
