The Cost of Prom
By: Sarah Dreher
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Prom is a coming-of-age moment portrayed in almost every movie or tv show that takes place in high school. The emphasis on one day can push teenagers and parents to spend an excessive amount of money as the cost of prom typically ranges from $150 to $2,200.
The opportunity to dress up in formal wear does not present itself often in a teenager's life, making prom an enticing event to commemorate. The different items that money can be spent on to achieve the “perfect prom” can quickly add up. Tickets can range between $20 - $250 depending on the school size, venue, and other variables. Moving onto clothing, people can spend upwards of $500 on a dress. Renting tuxes is normally less expensive, the most typically being $150. Then there is the cost of shoes, haircuts, jewelry, makeup, corsages, tanning, transportation, dinner, and the expenses of an after-party. Oregon High School students for the 2023 prom described their prom costs.
“I spent $180 on a dress, $55 on shoes, $96 on nails, $25 on food, and about $5 on jewelry. Adding it up now, it is a lot more money than I realized.”
Other students said that they spent “$500”, “150”, and “$200” in total. On average, girls spent more money overall than guys as there are often more costs associated. The high costs of prom make it a weighty financial stressor for many families.
Prom never began as a fully accessible event for every student. Until 2013 there were still a small number of proms that remained segregated and in some states, gay couples were not allowed to attend. The inability of some high schoolers to experience prom is not something new, but why students are not able to has shifted in recent years. In 2023, the real median household income was estimated to be $80,440 with the average monthly spending at $5,577. With these figures, only $1,226 would remain per month. Factoring in variable costs and debt, spending $150 to $2,200 extra can become a significant financial burden for families, especially those that make below the median income which is a large portion of the United States population. Luckily there are many ways to save money when going to prom.
Limiting money spent can begin with saving in certain areas and splurging in others. One can borrow a dress or tuxedo or go to a lower-priced store. Getting makeup and hair done can additionally be accomplished by a friend or family member to prevent unnecessary costs. Doing your nails or reusing things such as shoes can also help to save money overall.
Prom is often the last time a class is all together before graduation during a student's senior year, marking the transition to adulthood and the conclusion of high school. The most important thing is the memories you make with people you care about, not the dollar amount you spend.
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