How much does prom cost?
Prom can cost as much as a month of part-time paychecks. Add up what one student spends - the ticket, the outfit, hair and makeup, photos, the ride, and a date’s ticket - and see where you can save.
Prices updated: · United States (USD) · free, no sign-up
Calculator result
Prom cost
$970
cost per student
- Ticket
- $90
- Without the ticket
- $880
- Outfit, beauty, extras
- Saving from September
- $120 / mo.
- Prom is usually in April or May
Where the money goes
- Dressfrom a store or a boutique$300
- Hair and makeupwith or without a trial$150
- Limo or party busyour share, split with your group$100
- Prom ticketvenue, dinner, DJ, photo backdrop$90
- Shoescomfortable enough to dance all night$90
- Accessoriesbag, jewelry, tights$80
- Photosprom photo package or a pre-prom shoot$60
- Nailsmanicure or gel$55
- Corsage or boutonnierefrom the florist$40
- Renting a dress usually costs about a third of buying one - and nobody can tell in the photos.
- Book hair and makeup 1-2 months ahead - on prom day, half the school calls the same salons.
- Check what the ticket covers: dinner, a DJ, and photos are often included. Many schools offer payment plans or help with tickets and dresses - ask the prom committee or a counselor.
How we calculate
- We price the ticket by area (about $60-120 in 2026) unless you enter the price from your school. A date from another school usually pays the same.
- Outfit: a dress is $150-550 to buy or $60-180 to rent; a suit is $200-600, and a tux rental of $100-220 usually includes the shirt, vest, and tie.
- The other items (shoes, hair and makeup, nails, photos, limo, corsage) are typical market ranges. We spread the savings over 8 months, from September to prom season.
Cheat sheet: prices and good practice
Prices in 2026
- Ticket: $40-180, in big cities about $120
- Dress: $150-550
- Tux rental: $100-220
- Hair and makeup: $100-220
- Corsage or boutonniere: $25-60
When to book
- Dress: 2-3 months ahead (alterations take time)
- Tux rental: 4-6 weeks ahead
- Hair and makeup: 1-2 months ahead
- Limo or party bus: 2-3 months ahead, split with your group
Questions and answers
How much does prom cost in 2026?
With a new dress, shoes, hair, makeup, nails, photos, a corsage, and a shared limo, about $970 in the suburbs. With a new suit it is about $850, or about $580 with a tux rental.
How can we spend less on prom?
Rent the dress or tux, do your makeup yourself or with a friend, pick the school photo package instead of a private shoot, and split the ride with friends. Many schools also run dress swaps and help with tickets.
Calculate next
- Sweet 16 party cost A Sweet 16 at home, in a restaurant, at a party venue, or in a banquet hall - food, DJ, cake, and extras with price ranges.
- Hair and makeup Bride, bridesmaids, and moms - with trials, travel fee, tip, and the time your artists need to start.
- Dress and suit Attire for both of you: buy or rent, sample sales, alterations, and every accessory priced separately.
- Group gift and bill split How much everyone chips in when the guest of honor doesn’t pay and couples pay together. Rounded up to even amounts.
For the party itself
Games every guest plays at once
Couple trivia, awards and a finale on the big screen. Guests join with a QR code on their phones, no app to download.